My LX188 stopped running halfway through mowing my yard. Started looking around and fuel filter was clogged up with a gel like substance. I changed the filter within last 2 years, so never thought to check it. Anyways, I thought this would fix the issue but it didn’t. I’m not getting any fuel to pull to the filter, the new one is completely dry. I dumped a little gas in air filter compartment to try and get mower started, it worked but mower died instantly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I changed fuel lines 2 years ago but since the filter was clogged so bad should I start there or is
Tiger Small Engine
Lawn Addict
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2022
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 1,375
I would start by draining some fuel from tank and checking it for water. Then blow back through fuel line into tank with air compressor. Then remove fuel line from fuel pump (if it has one) and turn key on and confirm a good steady pulse of fuel coming out. May need to change fuel line as it may be deteriorating and clogging up carburetor. May also need to remove and clean carburetor.
Verify that your fuel pump is working.
A small container of fuel is needed. Place the line between the filter and pump in the container. Disconnect the line between the pump and the carburetor. Spin the engine over. If there's gas flowing, the pump is good. That means that you need to dump the fuel tank and clean it. The carburetor bowl will need cleaning too. Replace all fuel lines and get a good fuel filter.
The large Kohler 10 micron filters are about the best out there.
A small container of fuel is needed. Place the line between the filter and pump in the container. Disconnect the line between the pump and the carburetor. Spin the engine over. If there's gas flowing, the pump is good. That means that you need to dump the fuel tank and clean it. The carburetor bowl will need cleaning too. Replace all fuel lines and get a good fuel filter.
The large Kohler 10 micron filters are about the best out there.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2024
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 437
I suspect your whole issue starts at the tank. From the sound of it, small kids have been "working" on the fuel tank and likely put some items down the fill hole. This is inviting when the seat is left up and no adults are around.
This will not be an easy quick fix scenario, but not impossible. These mowers were made when John Deere still made machines that last.
The other suspect is if Diesel DEF fluid was accidently put into a fuel can because the wrong selection was picked at the multi service pumps. That stuff will gel with fuel.
The other possibility is fuel stabilizer has set too long in the tank. That stuff will eventually gel up.
Anyway, start at the tank and work forward from there. There are you tube videos about removing the tank and it is not as bad as some of the other models I have dealt with.
This would be a good time to consider replacing all the fuel hoses. I recommend only use quality fuel line such as Gates brand from a parts store. Do not use garbage fuel line from any online source. Amazon and Ebay are a dumping ground for garbage fuel hose.
Hopefully the fuel filter caught most of the contamination, but the carburetor should be checked over and the fuel pump checked for proper operation.
This will not be an easy quick fix scenario, but not impossible. These mowers were made when John Deere still made machines that last.
The other suspect is if Diesel DEF fluid was accidently put into a fuel can because the wrong selection was picked at the multi service pumps. That stuff will gel with fuel.
The other possibility is fuel stabilizer has set too long in the tank. That stuff will eventually gel up.
Anyway, start at the tank and work forward from there. There are you tube videos about removing the tank and it is not as bad as some of the other models I have dealt with.
This would be a good time to consider replacing all the fuel hoses. I recommend only use quality fuel line such as Gates brand from a parts store. Do not use garbage fuel line from any online source. Amazon and Ebay are a dumping ground for garbage fuel hose.
Hopefully the fuel filter caught most of the contamination, but the carburetor should be checked over and the fuel pump checked for proper operation.