Jon Deere LX 188 bogs down

[Hank Koster]

Sounds like you just need to drain all of the crap and water out of your carb.

Fish: My carb has been taken apart several times by a John Deere mechanic so I don't think it has any water in it, but you never know. I am thinking maybe it's time to bite the bullet and lay out $210 for a new carburetor.

 

[Carscw]

I would replace the fuel line and filter.
The filter should never be empty or close to empty.

 

[Fish]

Fish: My carb has been taken apart several times by a John Deere mechanic so I don't think it has any water in it, but you never know. I am thinking maybe it's time to bite the bullet and lay out $210 for a new carburetor.

Oh bullcheet....

The clear fuel filter is a huge mistake!!!!! Drain the carb again now!!!!, While the nut is loose on the bottom of the carb, crank the hell out of it!!!! Throw in a bottle of 91% rubbing alcohol, run it dry!!!! never trust anyone that .....

Well, I cannot say anymore..... I might get reported........ You likely have a bunch of water in your fuel system..... The "empty"
fuel filter is a common "complaint", but it has nothing to do with your engine......

Please do not waste a few hundred dollars, us jokers here already look bad enough.......

 

[Fish]

Fish: My carb has been taken apart several times by a John Deere mechanic so I don't think it has any water in it, but you never know. I am thinking maybe it's time to bite the bullet and lay out $210 for a new carburetor.

Wow, sounds like your jd mechanics love you!!!!

 

[Fish]

Dang....You do not have any other options? There is none of our gang here that is in Wash?

 

[Hank Koster]

Dang....You do not have any other options? There is none of our gang here that is in Wash?

Thanks to all who replied! I appreciate it.

 

[Fish]

Rereading this thread again, and looking at the engine blowup, you need to check and adjust your valves next, cheap and easy to do.

 

[Hank Koster]

Rereading this thread again, and looking at the engine blowup, you need to check and adjust your valves next, cheap and easy to do.

Thanks for your continuing comments. I appreciate your help and interest.

 

[Green Flamingo]

I have a problem similar to this with my LX-188. Mine will start fine and mow fine, but then it will act like it's starved for fuel and run very poorly for about 5 or 10 minutes. If I just sit with it gasping for life for a few minutes, it will clear itself and run great for another 10 minutes before it stumbles again for 5 or 10 minutes. It keeps going through these cycles (run great, gasp, run great, gasp), which tells me it's not an ignition or valve problem. Does this sound like a junky carburetor to anyone? Both coils and the fuel pump have been replaced. I've taken the fuel line off and inspected it and it looks fine.

Should the fuel filter always be mostly full? Sometimes mine is completely empty, even after replacing the fuel pump, but whether it's full or empty doesn't seem to match up with how well the engine is running.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

I am having the same trouble with my 1996 LX188. I have replaced the plugs, all filters, and two new coils. I removed the carb today and took it to the shop, where it was cleaned and deemed to be working fine. The only thing left is the Fuel pump, which seems to be working fine as well. One thing we did notice while working on the carb is that the fuel shut off solenoid on the carb doesn't appear to be working just right. If I hook it directly to the battery it will not activate unless I touch the shaft slightly. Now I'm wondering if this could be the trouble all along. If that gets hot and fails I'm assuming it will starve the engine of fuel. Any ideas would be appreciated, as the fuel pump is 189.00 and the solenoid is 109.00. After just spending 260.00 on coils and filters I'm just about ready to pack it in. Any of this make sense?

 

[Leah C.]

Dear Green Flamingo and Hank Koster -
I have the exact problems that you are having with your John Deere lx188. I have replaced the dirty fuel filter and checked the fuel lines. The fuel lines look in good shape but, how do I know if air is getting into the line that connects to the fuel tank? The fuel line after the filter that connects to the carb seems bone dry. I hope that you have solved your problems and can share your remedies with me. Also, Fish, how do I adjust the valves?
Many thanks