mower chokes on 6th gear

[brian'slawncare]

so yesterday was my first day of the mowing season. I got on my mower (exmark TT) and drove it down the street to my neighbors to cut. I noticed it didn't sound right. Like the engine was not spinning to its capacity. Then, while I was mowing, I put it in 6th gear with the blades on to go down the sidewalk to get to the other end of the property. THe mower suddenly began to choke down until I pulled the cruise control lever back into 3rd or 4th gear, at which point it sounded better. In other words, my mower engine seems to be not running at full capacity. I had my dealer this winter do an number of general maintenance things in it (oil filter and oil change, air filter change, spark plugs, fuel filter changed, everything greased, belts were inspected and one was replaced, and hydro pumps got a seal kit on them to fix minor leaks) It didn't do this last year, so I was wondering if something they adjusted or replaced could be causing this? Any suggestions? I called my dealer today and they are going to take a look at it tomorrow or wednesday and try to diagnose the issue, so I'll post what they tell me.

[Steve]

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Two things I would investigate is to see if it's getting enough fuel and also to look at the spark plug to see the condition of it. I look forwards to hearing more of what you find out.

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[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by brian'slawncare

so yesterday was my first day of the mowing season. I got on my mower (exmark TT) and drove it down the street to my neighbors to cut. I noticed it didn't sound right. Like the engine was not spinning to its capacity. Then, while I was mowing, I put it in 6th gear with the blades on to go down the sidewalk to get to the other end of the property. THe mower suddenly began to choke down until I pulled the cruise control lever back into 3rd or 4th gear, at which point it sounded better.

In other words, my mower engine seems to be not running at full capacity.

I had my dealer this winter do an number of general maintenance things in it (oil filter and oil change, air filter change, spark plugs, fuel filter changed, everything greased, belts were inspected and one was replaced, and hydro pumps got a seal kit on them to fix minor leaks) It didn't do this last year, so I was wondering if something they adjusted or replaced could be causing this?

Any suggestions?

I called my dealer today and they are going to take a look at it tomorrow or wednesday and try to diagnose the issue, so I'll post what they tell me.

my first guess would be bad gas or plugged carb but hard to say without more info.

[brian'slawncare]

I noticed the dealer replaced the fuel line filter to a different one. One that I didn't recognize....

The other thing I just thought of is that I didn't drain the gas tank or the gas can that I used to run it...however, I used the same gas to fill up my tractor which I didn't drain either....the dealer should have picked it up today and they'll let me know in a couple days if they found the issue. THey handled it real well. I just called and they guy I spoke with knew me from the winter service so he just said something like "yeah, thats weird, we can bring it in to take a look" the manager of the shop called me this morning while I was in class and I haven't had to time to call him back so I'll have to see what that was about

[Steve]

It will be interesting in hearing what they find. Keep us posted.

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by brian'slawncare

I noticed the dealer replaced the fuel line filter to a different one. One that I didn't recognize....

The other thing I just thought of is that I didn't drain the gas tank or the gas can that I used to run it...however, I used the same gas to fill up my tractor which I didn't drain either....the dealer should have picked it up today and they'll let me know in a couple days if they found the issue. THey handled it real well. I just called and they guy I spoke with knew me from the winter service so he just said something like "yeah, thats weird, we can bring it in to take a look" the manager of the shop called me this morning while I was in class and I haven't had to time to call him back so I'll have to see what that was about

the smaller the engine the more poor gas will affect it, less power to begin with equals less power it can afford to loose. As for your filter some of them do not do well with ethanol but most of them will interchange. Good luck and let everyone know what they found.

[Chaz]

yeah bad fuel gets all small engines sometime

[brian'slawncare]

the smaller the engine the more poor gas will affect it, less power to begin with equals less power it can afford to loose. As for your filter some of them do not do well with ethanol but most of them will interchange. Good luck and let everyone know what they found.

My engine is a 20 hp kohler so I'm not sure that the small engine thing will affect this. However, I agree, it could be my fault for not draining it. It was half full when I brought it out of my garage on Sunday and I filled the rest up, so I would hope that would dilute any "bad gas" As for the filter- I don't use ethanol so I guess it isn't the filter.

I called today and the service dept. said they will look at it next week. I guess they are tight on schedule. Sucks for me because this is my ONLY unit...

[Steve]

Well I guess if you are gonna have mower problems, better now than mid-season.

[brian'slawncare]

Well I guess if you are gonna have mower problems, better now than mid-season.

Well, the problem with having it now, is that all the lawns are growing and they need to be cut every week. I could have gotten a loaner from my dealer, but they price that they cost, is less than I'll make in the next few days. I have 3rd quarter exams mon-wed so that's what I'll be spending my weekend primarily on. Unfortunately, not lawn care...

The dealer got my mower back to me today. They said that they tested it and it seemed fine to me. They said that it was probably that I was trying to cut thick, wet grass too fast and the mower would choke up. BUT THEY DON'T LISTEN! I told them that it happens even when the mower is concrete! I knew they were going to say that... I tested it out as soon as I got home from school and it the engine would still slow down when the blades were on and they cruise control stick was in 6th gear. The mower was not moving, but just put in 6th (ESC lets you lock it in neutral, anyone who has an exmark knows what I'm talking about)

The only other thing I thought of is that with the blades on and it in 6th gear, the mower is smart enough to open the throttle up and with the mower sitting still, the engine is getting too much fuel. The next thing I need to do is turn the blades on and actually DRIVE in 6th gear....hopefully that will do it...