JD 165 Kawasaki FB460V Ignition Problems

[Radjxf]

Hello. I'm doing some "small-time" mowing in my area in my spare time to help finance my hobbies. My father has a John Deere 165 Hydro riding mower that he will give me for free. Problem is it won't start. He said it gradually got very hard to start, but once it started, it ran and mowed fine. He said he replaced "the little electronic box" (is this the igniter?) but to no avail. Engine has decent compression, just absolutely won't start, just cranks and cranks. Should I try replacing the coil, plug, and thoroughly clean out the carb and go from there? Any other ignition parts that could be culprits? Thanks

[MowerMedic77]

Hi and welcome to Lawnsite:) What is the actual compression reading have you used a tester how much psi are you reading? Do you have an inline spark tester to show you if you do or do not have spark? Shut off the gas to the carb and shoot some carb spray down the carb does it pop or run and die?
Sorry lots of questions for you but will need some of this info to help more.:)

[Jim@MilkyWay]

T_T_F_T
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=144040
Third Thread From Top of this forum asks that you let those gurus in the know, know what they are trying to repair.
That said, no motor will run without fire, fuel and compression.
Assume compression OK, then check for spark first. If good, squirt a trace of gas into carb and see if anything good happens.

[Jim@MilkyWay]

Whoops, forgot something very important.
As MowerMedic77 said, welcome to the foremost authority forum on do-it-yourself repair forum for lawn equipment and more.

[Jim@MilkyWay]

Hello. I'm doing some "small-time" mowing in my area in my spare time to help finance my hobbies. My father has a John Deere 165 Hydro riding mower that he will give me for free. Problem is it won't start....
Hey there
Did you get a chance to check 'er out?
What's up?

[Radjxf]

I forgot what the compression reading was, but it was at the lower end of a range given to me by a local small engine repair guy, and he claimed it was OK. I did a brief "shadetree check" for spark by grounding the plug with it out of the head. I saw spark, but not sure if it's strong enough.
I only get to work on this occasionally as it's at my parent's place for now until I trailer it home. I picked up a used coil from Ebay for 7 bucks. I'll replace that, tear down and clean the carb and gas tank, lines, etc. and proceed from there.
Doesn't seem like a whole lot to figure out, unless there's other electronics to consider such as voltage regulator (if it has one) and also heard mention of "magnets" somewhere that go out? Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep you posted.

[Jim@MilkyWay]

.... I'll keep you posted.
:cool: Git 'er done.

[Radjxf]

OK, got her running. We'll see if it's permanent. As usual, got burned on Ebay, coil wasn't the right one, oh well. Compression check with a good higher quality screw-in checker shows about 100 lbs of compression. Cleaned out the carb, removed tons of grass and one dead mouse from under the engine covers, new CJ8 plug, adjusted coil air gap to 0.3mm, new battery and gave her heck with the starting fluid. Backfired through the carb a few times (yes I put out a few fires!) and finally got to sucking gas and running. Seems to run OK. Shut it off and came back 20 minutes later and it still starts and runs. I'll have to see if it starts cold and if my ?fixes are going to be permanent. Thanks guys :usflag:

[Restrorob]

Should it still not start cold, You may want to check and make sure you are getting Full Choke, These Kawi's like this on cold starts.

[Radjxf]

OK. Came back a few days later and it won't start again. It will only start if you prime it with a little pour of gas or starting fluid. Once it gets running, it stays running and runs good and smooth. Shut it off and again it won't start without a prime. Think the fuel pump is bad? Has a little round flat Mikuni pump with one line to the block and an in and out fuel line. Thanks

[Restrorob]

Again make sure the choke butterfly in the carb. is closing ALL the way, If it runs fine and for a long period of time once primed there is likely nothing wrong with the fuel pump.
If the choke is closing fully remove the carb. and clean it out spraying carb. & choke cleaner thru ALL passages then re-assemble.

[yardfarm]

have the exact tractor with better than a thousand hours on it. Real sensitive to a clean carb and good fuel. Displays same symptoms as yours when I let it sit

[Radjxf]

OK, think I got her fixed:drinkup: Thanks to everyone for your input, especially RestroRob. The final coup de gras was a very minor adjustment to the choke as it was lacking a millimeter from going all the way shut--easy fix. Now it seems to start every time if you choke it all the way. It's been 95-100 degrees here everyday in MO, so we'll see how she starts later this fall when the temps drop.

[Deeremee]

Guys,
New to the forum! I am curious what attachments are available for the 165 model, what are it's features? Also need to know where to get them. I am looking to haul around a small trailer for yard work and trash cans and also would like to do some leveling of dirt on my property is this possible with any attachments available? Also does anyone know where to get a SM for this model?

I just purchased a Hydro 165 yesterday and pick it up tomorrow just wanted to get a head start.

Thanks for any guidance:usflag: .

[ChadsLawn]

Guys,
New to the forum! I am curious what attachments are available for the 165 model, what are it's features? Also need to know where to get them. I am looking to haul around a small trailer for yard work and trash cans and also would like to do some leveling of dirt on my property is this possible with any attachments available? Also does anyone know where to get a SM for this model?

I just purchased a Hydro 165 yesterday and pick it up tomorrow just wanted to get a head start.

Thanks for any guidance:usflag: .
goto there website, ir use the search option here at LS.
Welcome aboard