Mower will not start

[ChelleB]

Our John Deere L100 riding mower ran out of gas. After we added gas, it will not start. It turns over and over and over. I replaced the spark plug for good measure and verified it is sparking. It will only start if I am spraying starter fluid in the carburetor but will not stay running unless I continuing spraying it with starter fluid. I verified that the solenoid is working. I have removed the carburetor several times since this problem started to check it. I tried first just spraying it with carb cleaner. Then I soaked it and ran a thin wire through the small ports to be sure the were clear. Nothing seems to be clogged from what I can tell, yet it still will only turn over and over and over but will not start. I know the carburetor fills with gasoline each time that I put it back on and try to start it since I have to drain it each time I take it off.

If the ignition coil wasn't putting out enough charge, would it start when sprayed with starter fluid? Is the power coming from the ignition coil something I need to check with a meter even or is it just a spark or no spark situation?

What else do I need to check? What all might cause the problem I am having? I am fully prepared to buy a new carburetor to put on it, but I don't want to do that until I am sure there isn't something else I am missing. If it was something like the timing or ignition coil, it wouldn't even start with starter fluid, right?

Help please?!?

 

[Nwatson99]

I am not a tech or anything, but if your mower will run while spraying starter fluid into the carb, sounds like you are not getting any gas to the carb and there might be a blockage in the fuel line or fuel pump.
Have you blown out the fuel line or checked the screen in the tank to see if any debri is blocking off fuel supply?
Can you feel any pressure from the fuel pump?
I would start with the fuel system before anything else.

 

[Nwatson99]

Oh I forgot to add, I have seen the choke area where it takes the throttle cable to push the rod to engage the choke on those units became loose and needed tightening to get the choke to work and start, I do not like this system since the choke is on the throttle.

 

[Mikel1]

I agree with Nwatson. I would pull the fuel line off the carb and check the fuel flow from fuel pump while cranking. Use a suitable container to put the fuel line in.

 

[ChelleB]

I will see what it does with the fuel line off the carb. I assumed since each time I pull the line off the carb gas comes out of the line (and bowl on carb is full of gas each time) that gas is getting to the carb.

 

[Mikel1]

If you verify the fuel pump is working good then that leaves you with the carb or the fuel solenoid.
If you can spray in starting fluid and it runs then it's fuel related. That's right if your ignition coil wasn't working it wouldn't start, if timing was off it would run like crap if at all.