John Deere L120 Won't stay running

[sheetmetalbabe]

Hi.
I have a John Deere L120. Two weeks ago it started right up for the first time of the season but had almost no gas and ran out after about 10 minutes.
Now I can get it started by putting starter fluid in the air intake but it will only run for a few seconds and then dies. I had put the last bit of gas in it I had and decided it might not be good so
I drained it and put a new fuel filter on and filled it with new gas with stabilizer in it. It starts with starter fluid but won't stay running. Please help!!

 

[Mikel1]

Do you have good fuel flow from fuel pump to carb?

 

[sheetmetalbabe]

Hi.
I took the fuel line off past the fuel pump and plenty of gas comes out so I was thinking it's not the pump?

 

[Mikel1]

If that is good then do you hear a click from the fuel solenoid when you turn the key on? If that is good then carb needs cleaning, float valve needle may be stuck.

 

[sheetmetalbabe]

When I try to start it all I hear is the engine trying to start. Do I just need to turn the key to the on position to hear the clicking?

 

[Mikel1]

That's right turn the key off then on(lights). You will hear a light click if it's working.

 

[sheetmetalbabe]

Yes, there is a loud click. I always thought that was the headlights coming on, LOL. Such a girl!!

 

[Mikel1]

Yeah some are louder than others. That leaves one thing left, carb cleaning.

 

[shiftsuper175607]

Hi.
I have a John Deere L120. Two weeks ago it started right up for the first time of the season but had almost no gas and ran out after about 10 minutes.
Now I can get it started by putting starter fluid in the air intake but it will only run for a few seconds and then dies. I had put the last bit of gas in it I had and decided it might not be good so
I drained it and put a new fuel filter on and filled it with new gas with stabilizer in it. It starts with starter fluid but won't stay running. Please help!!

I was having a similar problem.
I took a gas tank from a push mower, mounted it on a stick above the carb and let it gravity feed into the fuel pump suction. Showing me it was a fuel supply problem .The mower ran with this auxiliary fuel tank.

I disconnected the gas line before the fuel pump and put it in a bucket. I used my air gun to slightly pressure my gas tank by putting a plastic bag around the air gun and over the gas tank opening, and forced gas through to the bucket. Hooked it back up and I was good to go. Evidently gas was not flowing enough to the fuel pump.

Since it was running before you ran out of gas, I would not immediately decide it was a carb problem. The mostly likely is a fuel supply problem. The solenoid has to be opening of course as was stated. that falls into the same category.

 

[Mikel1]

She could just take off the fuel hose going to carb. Putting the hose in a gas jug or other suitable container while keeping fuel line level to the carb(minimize gravity) and cranking. If fuel flow is good then back to carb.
Get it done, babe.:wink: