Hi, I am looking for some help with an ongoing mower issue. I hope someone on here can help me!?!?
Here's the scenario:
While mowing the other day, blades engaged, the mower coughed, sputtered and died. Checked the oil as this unit has an "oil sentry" on it. The oil was low so I added more to the correct level. The only way that it would try to start was to fully choke it. This is not the normal way, and it never really started. So I called my mechanic. He said it was acting like a bad carburetor solenoid. So, I changed it, and it didn't help. I started taking things apart. I found when I took the right valve cover off, that the front rocker was turned to the side and the bolt was loose. I put it back into position and tightened it. I do know that this engine has hydraulic lifters. The engine started right up. BUT, when I engaged the mower deck, I had little to no power to cut grass. Even with the deck raised up, under no load does it have any power?? I found that the front PTO shaft bearings were bad. I changed them and also had the shaft machined back to factory specs. My question is, what else could I possibly check for having no power when the mower deck is engaged?? Thanks for reading, and looking forward to all responses.
The fact that one of the rockers came loose can cause the lifter to over extend, and will hold the valve open until it compresses back down, could cause power problem. The other thing that may be going on is there may be something in the carb blocking the fuel jets, so carb may need cleaned.
I think that you have several conditions that are working together to cause major issues, and they will need to be eliminated one by one.
With your engine cold, start it and let it run for around 5 seconds then shut it off. Touch your left and right exhaust pipes to check to see if indeed it is running on both cylinders. If it is not running on both, one of your pipes will be cold, and the one that "is" fireing, will be warm. Sound can be deceiving. It might sound like it is running on 2, when in fact, only one is actually fireing.
