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Imagine this: You are mowing your lawn on a sunny day, enjoying the breeze and the smell of fresh grass. You are proud of your John Deere zero turn mower, which you bought for its speed, power, and efficiency.
You have been taking good care of it, following the maintenance schedule, and using the best quality fuel and oil. You are almost done with your task when suddenly, your mower sputters and dies.
You try to restart it, but it only runs for a few seconds and then dies again. You are puzzled and frustrated. What is wrong with your mower? How can you fix it? Is it something serious or something simple?
Don’t worry, you are not alone. This is a common problem that many John Deere zero turn owners face, and it can be caused by four (4) various reasons, such as fuel issues, air issues, spark issues or engine issues.
Therefore, in this article, I will show you some of the possible causes of why your John Deere zero turn starts and then dies and how to solve them. Let’s get started!
Reasons Why Your John Deere Zero Turn Starts Then Dies And How to Fix Them
1. Fuel Related Problems
Fuel problems are one of the main reasons why your John Deere zero turn mower might start and then die. Fuel problems can happen because of bad or old gas, dirty or clogged fuel filters, blocked fuel lines, or a broken fuel pump.
Let me explain how these problems can affect your John Deere zero turn mower and how to fix them.
Your John Deere zero turn mower has bad or old gas
Bad or old gas can make your mower run badly or not at all and also harm the engine carburetor. Gas can go bad if you leave it in the tank for too long, especially if it has ethanol in it.
Ethanol can pull in water and split from the gas, making a harmful mix that can ruin your fuel system and engine. It can also make a sticky mess that can block your fuel jets and stop the fuel from flowing well.
To fix this, you need to get rid of the old gas from the tank and put in new gas. You should also use a product that keeps your gas fresh longer and stops water from building up such as a fuel stabilizer.
John Deere zero turn mowers need unleaded gas with at least 87 octane and no more than 10% ethanol. You can also use a product like Sea Foam to clean your fuel system and make your engine work better.
Recommended Read:- Can You Dump Old Gas on the Ground?
The fuel filter is dirty or clogged
A dirty or clogged fuel filter can also make your mower start and then die. The fuel filter’s job is to keep any dirt or debris from getting into your fuel system. But over time, it can get dirty and clogged and block the fuel from getting to your engine. This can make your engine run out of fuel and shut off.
To fix this, you need to get a new fuel filter and put it in. The fuel filter is usually near the fuel tank or the carburetor. You should look at your owner’s manual to see where it is and how to put it in. You should also get a new fuel filter at least once every year or more often if you use dirty or bad gas.
Blocked Fuel Lines
Blocked fuel lines can also make your mower start and then die. The fuel lines are the tubes that connect your fuel tank, fuel filter, fuel pump, and carburetor. They can get blocked by dirt, debris, or old gas mess. This can stop the fuel from getting to your engine and make it shut off.
To fix this, you need to take out and clean the fuel lines. You can use a tool that blows air or a wire brush to get rid of any blockages. You should also look at the fuel lines to see if they have any cracks, leaks, or damage. If you see any problems, you need to get new fuel lines and put them in.
Broken Fuel Pump
Another reason why your mower might stop working after it starts is a bad fuel pump. The fuel pump is what moves the fuel from the tank to the carburetor. It can stop working because of damage, electrical problems, or dirty fuel. A bad fuel pump can make the fuel pressure too low or none at all, which can make your engine run poorly and shut off.
To solve this problem, you need to check and change the fuel pump. You can use a tool called a fuel pressure gauge to see how much fuel pressure there is at the carburetor. You should look at your owner’s manual to see what the right fuel pressure should be. If the fuel pressure is too low or nothing, you need to get a new fuel pump.
2. Air Related Issues
Another common reason why your John Deere zero turn starts and then dies is because of air issues. Air issues can be caused by a clogged air filter, a clogged cooling system, or if the choke is in the wrong position
Let’s dive deeper into these causes and how you can fix them.
Clogged Air Filter
A clogged air filter can also make your mower stop working after it starts just like the fuel line. The air filter’s job is to keep any dust or dirt from getting into your engine. But if it gets too dirty and clogged, it can block the air from reaching your engine. This can make your engine use too much fuel and stop running.
To solve this problem, you need to clean or change the air filter. You can usually find the air filter under the hood or close to the carburetor. You should look at your owner’s manual to see where it is and how to clean it. You should also make sure to clean or change the air filter at least once every year or more often if you mow in places that are dusty or dirty.
Clogged Cooling System
Your mower might also stop working after it starts because of a clogged cooling system. The cooling system helps your engine stay cool. It has the cooling fins, the fan, and the air ducts. But sometimes, they can get filled with grass, dirt, or other things. This can stop the air from cooling your engine and make it too hot and shut off.
To solve this problem, you need to clean the cooling system. You can use a tool that blows air or a brush to get rid of anything from the cooling fins, the fan, and the air ducts. You should also look at the fan to see if it is broken or not connected well. If you see any problems, you need to get a new fan.
The Choke is Set At the Wrong Position
Another reason why your mower might start and then die is because the choke is not set right. The choke is what controls how much air goes into your engine. It helps your engine start when it is cold. But if you keep the choke on when your engine is warm, it can make your engine use too much fuel and shut off.
To fix this, you need to set the choke to the right position. The choke is usually on the dashboard or close to the carburetor. You should look at your owner’s manual to see where it is and how to set it. You should also only use the choke when your engine is cold and turn it off when your engine is warm.
3. Spark Related Issues
Spark problems are another common reason why your John Deere zero turn mower might start and then die. Spark problems can happen because of a dirty or damaged spark plug, loose or rusty spark plug wire, or even a broken ignition coil
Let’s talk more about them.
Dirty or Damaged Spark Plug
A dirty or damaged spark plug can make your mower start and then die. The spark plug is what makes the spark that lights up the fuel and air mix in your engine. But over time, it can get dirty, worn, or broken and make a weak or no spark. This can make your engine skip and shut off.
To fix this, you need to clean or change the spark plug. The spark plug is usually under the hood or close to the cylinder head. You should look at your owner’s manual to see where it is and how to change it. You should also clean or change the spark plug at least once every year or more often if you see any signs of wear or damage.
Loose or Rusty Spark Plug Wire
A loose or rusty spark plug wire can also make your mower start and then die. The spark plug wire is the wire that connects the spark plug to the ignition coil. It can get loose or rusty because of shaking, water, or age. This can make a bad or no connection and affect the spark delivery to your engine.
To fix this, you need to check and tighten the spark plug wire. You can use a tool that tests the spark plug wire for any breaks or shorts. You should also look at the spark plug wire for any cracks, burns, or rust. If you see any problems, you need to get a new spark plug wire and put it in.
Broken Ignition Coil
Another reason why your mower might stop working after it starts is a bad ignition coil. The ignition coil is what makes the high voltage needed to make the spark for your engine. It can stop working because of damage, electrical problems, or heat damage. A bad ignition coil can make the spark too weak or none at all, which can make your engine run poorly and shut off.
To fix this, you need to check and change the ignition coil. You can use a tool that measures the resistance of the ignition coil. You should look at your owner’s manual to see what the right resistance should be. If the resistance is too high or too low, you need to get a new ignition coil and put it in.
4. Engine Related Issues
Another common reason why your John Deere zero turn starts and then dies is because of engine issues. Engine issues can be caused by low or high engine oil levels, too much engine oil, or a bad gas cap.
Let’s talk more about them.
Low or High Engine Oil Level
A low or high engine oil level can cause your mower to start and then die. The engine oil is the fluid that lubricates and cools your engine. However, if the oil level is too low, it can cause your engine to overheat and seize. If the oil level is too high, it can cause your engine to flood and stall.
To fix this, you need to check and adjust the engine oil level. The engine oil level is usually measured by a dipstick or a sight glass. You should check your owner’s manual for the exact location and checking procedure. You should also use the recommended type and grade of oil for your mower. John Deere zero turn mowers require SAE 10W-30 or SAE 30 oil.
Too Much Engine Oil
Too much engine oil can also cause your mower to start and then die. Too much engine oil can cause your engine to run rich and stall. It can also cause oil leaks, smoke, and damage to your engine.
To fix this, you need to drain the excess engine oil from your mower. You can use a drain pan, a funnel, and a wrench to loosen the drain plug and let the oil flow out. You should check your owner’s manual for the exact location and draining procedure. You should also check and adjust the oil level to the correct mark on the dipstick or the sight glass.
Bad Gas Cap
A bad gas cap can also cause your mower to start and then die. The gas cap is the cap that seals your fuel tank. It has a vent that allows air to enter the tank as the fuel is consumed. However, if the vent is clogged or damaged, it can create a vacuum in the tank and prevent the fuel from flowing to the engine. This can cause your engine to starve and stall.
To fix this, you need to check and replace the gas cap. You can use a screwdriver or a plier to remove the gas cap and inspect it for any cracks, dents, or dirt. You should also check the vent for any blockages or damage. If you find any, you need to replace the gas cap with a new one
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should a yard be for a riding mower?
A riding mower is recommended for yards that are larger than half an acre. A zero turn mower can handle yards up to 8 acres or more, depending on the model and the terrain.
What engines do John Deere zero-turn mowers have?
John Deere zero-turn mowers have engines from various manufacturers, such as Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, and Kohler. The engines range from 20 to 27 horsepower and have different features, such as electronic fuel injection, cyclonic air filtration, and overhead valve design.
Do zero-turn mowers come with attachments?
Yes, some zero-turn mowers come with attachments or have optional accessories that can enhance their performance and versatility. For example, some John Deere zero-turn mowers have MulchControl™ technology, which allows you to switch between mulching and side-discharging modes. Other attachments include baggers, carts, sprayers, spreaders, and snow blades.
Final Words
In this article, I have explained some of the common reasons why your John Deere zero turn starts and then dies and how to fix them. If you follow these steps, you should be able to get your mower running smoothly again. However, if you still have trouble with your mower, you may need to consult a professional mechanic or contact John Deere customer service for further assistance.
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