Nearly Brand new (refurbished) D170 sputtering/backfire problems

[excessivegentlemen]

I have a 2013 D170 got it at home depot for a steal with only 11 hours on it. The previous owner turned it in with a flat tire and busted belt, at least thats what home depot told me. So I sprung for it because it was nearly a grand cheeper than reatail. Well I have used it 3 times so far and during the first two cuts it ran perfect, then today when I went out to cut with it cut for about a half hour just fine then began sputtering and backfiring. I turned the blades off and did a few stripes around my hard to check and see if the issue was with the blades and even with the blades off it was sputtering/backfiring. It also would back fire when idling. Now this mostly only happened when it was at full throttle, when I throttled down it still occured but much less. I wonder if this is a spark plug issue or if it is something electrical. The RIO switch is really an odd feature and it buggs the hell out of me. I noticed the previous owner had taped it down to not have to use it all the time, I dont know if this could have messed something up or if it is loose and wanting to shut off or something. the mower is still under warranty but Ide rather figure it out myself if it is something simple or at least know what I am dealing with. Any help is appreciated.

 

[xp14629]

Are u still on the original fuel from the previous owner? It really sounds like a stale fuel problem. At least somewhere to start with.

 

[mullins87]

Makes me think with a flat tire and busted belt that the PO may have hit something with it and possibly sheared the flywheel key. The first two times you mowed may have simply been the time it took for the flywheel to slowly rotate out of time with the crank. And now the plugs are firing at the wrong time. You should check the gas just to be sure, but if it's anything else, I'd take it back.

 

[EngineMan]

If it's still under warranty then take it back.

 

[excessivegentlemen]

Makes me think with a flat tire and busted belt that the PO may have hit something with it and possibly sheared the flywheel key. The first two times you mowed may have simply been the time it took for the flywheel to slowly rotate out of time with the crank. And now the plugs are firing at the wrong time. You should check the gas just to be sure, but if it's anything else, I'd take it back.

That makes a lot of sense. It is not a fuel problem, it was drained when it was refurbished and stored in store. When i bought it, the fuel was empty. I put fresh fuel in it, and even ran some seafoam through it last night and still was doing the same thing. The flywheel issue makes a lot of sense. Thanks I will be on the phone with home depot and John deere about this.

 

[Brad66]

Yup. Definitly take it in for warranty. However, I suggest you take it to a John Deere service center rather than Home Depot. HD will put it on put it on a truck to their serv cntr and it will be several weeks before you get it back. John Deere dealer will be much faster.

 

[excessivegentlemen]

Thanks for the help, The local JD equipment store is picking it up today. Hopefully it is soon because my lawn is out of control, and its been raining and cool.

 

[EngineMan]

I have a Scythe if you need it let me know and I'll send it over.......!

Hope you have it back soon, let us know how you get on...all the best.