In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Kawasaki FC540V

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Pallet Pete, Apr 30, 2018.

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  1. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    Im having a heck of a time with my wood hauler/ splitter mover John deere 185 hydro.

    It stopped running just before winter and I cant get it to start at all this year. Its got to be the biggest pain in the butt mower ive owned :picard:


    The battery is charged
    It is getting fuel
    Has spark
    Starter cranks ( but not well )
    you can see fuel coming out of the muffler.
    Carb looks clean
    fuel filter is clean

    It has always been a little hard to start however this year it will crank and crank then (POP ) and backfire but thats it. Does anybody know anything about these engines? It appears to have an igniter of some kind as well but theres plenty spark so I dont think thats the issue... When I got it you would turn the key 15 times before the starter would kick and turn over so Im guessing a bad switch but I bypassed it and everything appeared to work fine so thats ruled out too.

    Any advice would be great thanks all!
     
    Pallet Pete, Apr 30, 2018
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  2. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Have no experience with that mower, you say it quit last year, any signs of engine damage?

    Checking compression is the only thing that comes to mind.
     
    Chaz, Apr 30, 2018
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  3. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    Yes it wouldn’t fire up last fall and I manhandled it into the shed and said forget it lol..
     
    Pallet Pete, Apr 30, 2018
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  4. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    I’ll do a compression test too.

    Just occurred to me to check the valves and see if one lost a clip or something
     
    Pallet Pete, Apr 30, 2018
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  5. Chaz

    Chaz

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    Is it possible you're missing a safety cutoff switch somewhere??

    They'll usually direct the current for spark to ground, hence killing the engine.
     
    Chaz, Apr 30, 2018
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  6. Horkn

    Horkn

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    That's what I was thinking. The pop it's just from too much fuel in it, and no spark.
     
    Horkn, Apr 30, 2018
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  7. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Make sure the flywheel key isn't sheared...partially or the whole way...that'll make 'em just pop. Throw a new plug(s) in it too...just because they spark outside the cylinder doesn't mean it will spark when under compression. (fouled)
     
    brenndatomu, Apr 30, 2018
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  8. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    The previous owner bypassed them all and removed the safety's its never been an issue before but ill check the rats nest he left...


    The pop was only once and I admit I cranked it for a long time :whistle: Guilty... I was trying to get fuel through the filter and then realized up uner the console is a fuel shutoff that the previous owner also added.. :headbang: It was half shut somehow. ( probably from me yanking the body off like a gorilla ) Must have bumped it on something. I took that off all together. Next I pulled the fuel pickup tube and it was clean as a whistle...

    I will check the flywheel key tomorrow night! :thumbs:

    As for the plug ill grab one tomorrow night too.
     
    Pallet Pete, Apr 30, 2018
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  9. Unicorn1

    Unicorn1

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    Will it start with a little gas directly into the carb, I always check the jet to ensure a piece of dirt hasn't blocked it.
     
    Unicorn1, Apr 30, 2018
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  10. classicdmax

    classicdmax

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    See if you can get it to fire on ether, if so there’s a fuel problem. Check replace fuel lines, filter. Maybe even pull carb bowl off to inspect/clean.
    Does it have points....could be out of time
    Check all wiring including grounds. Be sure all are clean, and tight. Use dielectric grease
    All else fails, drink a beer, scratch head, repeat
     
    classicdmax, Apr 30, 2018
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  11. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    You said it cranked slowly.... do you think the previous owner, a.k.a. rocket scientist dude, tried jump starting it and damaged the starter? :whistle:
     
    Eric VW, Apr 30, 2018
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  12. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    Fuel lines are clean as a whistle not rotted or cracked. It doesn’t have points carb bowl is very clean float is clean doesn’t stick and had no holes.
     
    Pallet Pete, May 1, 2018
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  13. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    It cranks fine speed wise. The problem is you have to turn the key 15 times before it will do anything. It’s done that for a long time but it always started once you get it to turn over.
     
    Pallet Pete, May 1, 2018
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  14. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    It’s definatly getting fuel....

    I’m going to pull the valve cover tonight and take a look.

    I’m about over John Deere ( again...) Not sure why I bought this thing... 2 nd one is not a charm... It’s just as annoying as the first.
     
    Pallet Pete, May 1, 2018
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  15. trail twister

    trail twister

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    All though I am not a fan of JD green and yellow stuff, it isn't a tractor with a JD engine. Has a Kaw engine. Lots of other companys used thr Kaw engine.

    You have fuel in the cylinder to the point it is running out the muffler!!!!!! You say you have spark making the jump on the plug. So that means yoiu have fuel and spark. Probably fuel in the oil also.
    Only thing missing is compresstion. Although as said the plug may not fire under compresstion.

    I would also put that fuel shut off back on and shut the fuel off till you have cleared the cylinder of extra fuel. I would also fix that key switch so you don't have to fiddle with it 15 times or so to get the starter to kick in.

    :D Al
     
    trail twister, May 1, 2018
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  16. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    I’ve already fixed the switch twice and the switch isn’t the problem. I’ve tested the starter on and off the mower without the relays this morning and it works fine.

    Now I’m suspicious of the start relays. Again John Deere. Non of my MTD or simplicity’s has anything like that:loco: :crazy: the motor isn’t why I don’t like John Deere it’s all the other garbage on it...

    No fuel in the oil clean as a whistle compression cane in at 91 this morning which is good for that engine.

    I already know he added the shut off to fix a leak. He punctured the line and had no more fuel line so he stuck that in to close the gap it doesn’t need a shutoff. :headbang: Mad scientist for ya...

    Kinda like how you have to take half the mower apart to change the belts... total pain.

    If I can’t get it running tonight it’s scrap as far as I am concerned...
     
    Pallet Pete, May 1, 2018
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  17. haveissues

    haveissues

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    I would say if you are seeing gas come out of the muffler you might be getting too much fuel. Also, I have a quad that idled like crap and eventually would not start-just kinda sputter while cranking. Spark looked good, had fuel, and I figured I had a compression problem but it tested good. Turned out to be a bad spark plug. Replaced it and it ran better than ever.
     
    haveissues, May 1, 2018
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  18. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    I’m picking up a new plug today if I can get to the outdoor power store. Hopefully... man I hope that’s it but that was replaced when I bought it so maybe he put an old one in it...
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2018
    Pallet Pete, May 1, 2018
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  19. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    Btw don’t mean to come off as rude guys thanks for the advice...

    I’m overly annoyed with this pile is all. It will run good for a few weeks then bam something else. :picard:
     
    Pallet Pete, May 1, 2018
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  20. Bret Hart

    Bret Hart

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    Is the spark a bright blue color? If not, these Kawi's are known to produce no/poor spark when the igniters fail or start to fail. It's usually all or nothing with them but I've seen a few weak ones as well. Valve adjustment is also a good idea.

    I might have the service manual for this mower. Any idea how old it is?
     
    Bret Hart, May 1, 2018
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