Back with my son's 48" Hustler Sport Model #93022 with the Kawasaki FR600V Engine.
Most recent work was replacement of the starter solenoid, as it would not engage during starting. Since then, it's been working fine, until recently. . .
When shut down 'hot' it will not restart.
Starter engages and spins the engine
No ignition at all
Adding 12V charger in-line, starter spins faster, but still won't start
After cooling down, it will start normally
Any help with troubleshooting will be greatly appreciated.
1.Possible vacuum leak around carb or intake. Parts get hot, metal swells creating leaks.
2.Here's the big one - engine over heating. Remove metal engine fan shroud. Clean all around the engine block and cooling fins. Look behind mufflers and so on for dirt, grass and oil. Under the flywheel..... An oily layer of dirt and grass will insulate the block retarding cooling. This is a yearly maintenance item in your engine manual.
3.Needs valve clearance adjustment. Should be checked yearly if you like a good running engine.
4.Improper oil used.
5.Fuel cap partially venting, vent going bad.
6.Grunge in the fuel tank or fuel filter.
7.Deteriorating fuel lines and filter if installed.
Check for spark when hot. Need a 1/4" plug gap or proper tool to test this. Possible bad ignition coil or kill wire grounding out.
#4
JayTee
Thanks slomo!
I must admit that a bad coil did come to mind, but it didn't make sense that it would continue running when hot, but not restart. I'll get my spark plug checker to my son this weekend.
The cooling shroud cleaning is also a good check, as I know that has not been done.
THAT is a critical service that eludes most all people. If you bag check the fins more often. Say in the spring if you scalp the yard, definitely remove the shroud and clean away. Scalping is a filthy job. Make the block and fins like a new engine. Use Scrubcadet 10 nylon brushes, degreaser, compressed air or anything you have to clean her up.
Power washers are not advised due to rusting metal parts and possibly getting water where it doesn't belong (oil sump). BUT if that is all you have use one. Blow off with compressed air afterwards.
#6
JayTee
Thanks slomo! You've given us several avenues to pursue. Sent the link for this thread to my son, so he has probably read most of this. We'll probably end up working on it together.
IF the engine has an oil level sensor then that can also cause this to happen when the oil level gets a bit low.
After running there is a lot of oil flung up all over the engine so you have to wait for the oil to drain back to the sump to raise the float enough to turn the switch off.
#9
JayTee
Thanks bertsmobile! Cooling Shroud fouling and oil level may be leading contenders. I think he's going to bring his Hustler here on Saturday, so, we'll check things out and report back.
Son, are you reading these?! <grin>
John
#10
JayTee
@slomo and @bertsmobile1, Thanks for your troubleshooting suggestions. Much to my everlasting shame and disgrace, <grin> I think the answer may have been as simple as low oil. He checked it, found it to be at the bottom of the dipstick and oil has been added. He, or his wife, will probably mow again shortly, so that will provide the definintive answer. We really have to work on PM (Preventative Maintenance)! He's a good young man; I'll keep him anyway!
Also pulled the shroud, cleaned out a little bit of stuff from the fins and a little bit of dirt from under the flywheel. He has been good about taking his blower to it after mowing, including down through the flywheel screen and I think that has really helped keep that area clear. I don't think overheating was the likely culprit. Mowing at about 3" height, neither of us scalp our yard - hard on grass roots!
So, we'll check this off as solved . . . unless they continue to have issues after next mowing.
Want to know just how many times I have been called out because a mower stalled mid cut & mow won't start, only to find it on a sideways slope leaving the oil level sensor high & dry.
The first couple of times had me baffeled because we pushed the mower to level ground and naturally it fired right up no problems .
Even more confusing becayse oil sensors seem to be an optional extra on a lot of mowers so two identical mowers are not actually identical
Then some wire it into the cranking circuit so the mower will run with no oil but can not be started and others wire it into the kill circuit so once the sensor switches the engine dies .
More to do with clearing off a years worth of dead grass (mulching) that NEVER goes away. Leaves, weed seeds and so on. Main thing is it helps warm the soil so grasses like Bermuda come out of dormancy earlier. Let's the sun hit the soil more warming it up.
Hope this is it. Check oil level on ALL mower slash OPE engines prior to using. Even engines that you know don't consume any oil. Never know when they might start drinking on the job and burn up an engine. Only takes about 26 seconds. Not a big deal. Oil is cheap too.
