Hustler Super Z XR7 problems?

[okwelder82]

I can be mowing along with this mower just finr and all of the sudden it will start to sputter and eventually die. If I play with the choke I can smooth it out a little bit but it will still die. I can start it back up but chokeing it but it will still run the same. It has a 25 hp Kaw on it. Frustrating, Please help. Thanks.

[Ruben Rocha]

I have the Hustler 25hp Kaw mini-z circa 2003 .
I can see two issues not related to Hustler but the engine.
1.They are known for coil issues. When the engine gets hot a coil can malfunction.
There are posts on this issue to test the coil but the problem is the test will only tell you if it is working. Not if there is a intermittent problem.
2. The manual says to adjust the valves and de-carbon the cylinders every 400 hours.
I have 1500 hours on mine I have never de-carboned the cylinders. But I can tell you adjusting the valves makes a big difference on performance.
3. sparkplugs are supposed to be the NGK bp4es I believe without looking at my manual. started using champions and had problems it was the heat range was to cold. most champions will say a 12 matches but I found that was to cold and the plug fouled .
NGK numbers are the lower the number the hotter (Japanese), Champion (American) the higher the number the hotter.

[Sharpcut 1]

It's a Kawasaki problem. Ever since they went to the internal vent carb, they have had issues on Hustlers.

1. Get rid of that little fuel filter and put a real fuel filter on there. Use a Napa or Kohler one if need be.

The fuel is vaporlocking after it runs for a while. The bigger fuel filter helps, and by pulling your choke on, that tells us it's not getting enough gas. Kawasaki has no clear cut answer for us. I am a dealer, and have spoke to other dealers who also have the same problem, only with the Kawi powered Super Z's. Run clear fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb, for testing purposes only, and see if the line stays full. Be careful, as the fuel line is directly above the exhaust. If you get a bubble in there instead of a steady stream of fuel, it's starting to vapor lock. Let us know what you find.

[okwelder82]

Thanks for all the help guys. I replaced the fuel filter with a new larger one and replaced the spark plugs and used it all day yesterday with no problems. Again thanks.