Hard to crank Gravely

Erich64

New User
I have a Gravely Promaster 200 and am having issues with it taking a lot of cranking before it starts. I only use non ethanol gas and once it starts it runs great. If it sits for more than a day it is a bear to start again. Have replaced all fuel lines and the filter.
Model # 992012. Serial # 000174.
I love this mower but it shouldn't be this hard to start.
Any help is greatly appreciated.[/b]
 
You probably need a primer since it will spray that atomize gas into the intake manifold air stream. Hal
 
Is this something like a zero turn or commercial mower? Everything I own runs on Hi-test and you need to retune the carbs just a tad so they run correctly. My old Gravely commercial 10 I run her on AV gas in the winter time. You really need to lean down the carb with that stuff. You can have an ignition problem. Try a NGK BPR6ES plug. Most all of the Japan engines use them. Have fixed several hard starters for me.
 
Since you did not mention the make of the engine nor the number of hours on it. Just assuming a Kawasaki.

Let me ask you this. Have you checked or had the Intake and Exhaust Valves checked for the proper clearance?
 
(quoted from post at 08:52:57 07/27/16) Since you did not mention the make of the engine nor the number of hours on it. Just assuming a Kawasaki.

Let me ask you this. Have you checked or had the Intake and Exhaust Valves checked for the proper clearance?


It's a 27hp Kohler
 
(quoted from post at 10:43:42 07/27/16) Kohler's are hard starting engines to begin with. Have you checked to see if the choke is working?

It is... I also took the fuel line to the carb off and turned the motor over and it spit fuel well. I put my hand over the mouth of the carb with the choke in and it will start for a minute but stalls immediately if I remove my hand. I thought it might be the float being stuck in the carb but haven't taken it apart to see.
 
1. Check the valves for proper clearance.

2. Key Switch. When turned to "Start" it could be pulling more amps than it should causing the fuel shutoff solenoid voltage to drop low enough to shut the fuel off.

Try this. Remove the lead from the solenoid.

1.
Use a volt meter and attach the POS to the lead going to the solenoid and ground the NEG to the engine. Turn the key to on/run. It should be close to 12 volts. Next turn the key to "start" and check the voltage while the engine turn over it still should be close to 12 volts. If not. You have a bad key switch, bad/dirty connections.

2.
Run a jumper from the POS + post on the battery to the lead coming from the solenoid. When you touch the jumper to the solenoid lead you should hear a click. Try starting the engine with the lead in place. If it starts normally and then shut off when you remove the jumper.

Check/clean the key switch connections. Trace the wire and look for damage/shorted spots from the switch to the solenoid. Dissemble the solenoid and clean/inspect it.

Solenoid taken dissembled to show the parts.


fuel_solenoid.JPG
 
(quoted from post at 21:24:04 07/27/16) 1. Check the valves for proper clearance.

2. Key Switch. When turned to "Start" it could be pulling more amps than it should causing the fuel shutoff solenoid voltage to drop low enough to shut the fuel off.

Try this. Remove the lead from the solenoid.

1.
Use a volt meter and attach the POS to the lead going to the solenoid and ground the NEG to the engine. Turn the key to on/run. It should be close to 12 volts. Next turn the key to "start" and check the voltage while the engine turn over it still should be close to 12 volts. If not. You have a bad key switch, bad/dirty connections.

2.
Run a jumper from the POS + post on the battery to the lead coming from the solenoid. When you touch the jumper to the solenoid lead you should hear a click. Try starting the engine with the lead in place. If it starts normally and then shut off when you remove the jumper.

Check/clean the key switch connections. Trace the wire and look for damage/shorted spots from the switch to the solenoid. Dissemble the solenoid and clean/inspect it.

Solenoid taken dissembled to show the parts.


<img src="http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/images/kohler_command_v-twin_nikki_carb/fuel_solenoid.JPG">


Voltage all checked out fine. It has a manual fuel pump that I think needs to be replaced. When I pour gas into the carb it fires right up. When I pulled the fuel pump off it is bone dry. Also I think it may have a leak because when I installed a priming bulb before the filter, gas leaked out of the pump.
 
(quoted from post at 14:51:24 07/31/16)
(quoted from post at 21:24:04 07/27/16) 1. Check the valves for proper clearance.

2. Key Switch. When turned to "Start" it could be pulling more amps than it should causing the fuel shutoff solenoid voltage to drop low enough to shut the fuel off.

Try this. Remove the lead from the solenoid.

1.
Use a volt meter and attach the POS to the lead going to the solenoid and ground the NEG to the engine. Turn the key to on/run. It should be close to 12 volts. Next turn the key to "start" and check the voltage while the engine turn over it still should be close to 12 volts. If not. You have a bad key switch, bad/dirty connections.

2.
Run a jumper from the POS + post on the battery to the lead coming from the solenoid. When you touch the jumper to the solenoid lead you should hear a click. Try starting the engine with the lead in place. If it starts normally and then shut off when you remove the jumper.

Check/clean the key switch connections. Trace the wire and look for damage/shorted spots from the switch to the solenoid. Dissemble the solenoid and clean/inspect it.

Solenoid taken dissembled to show the parts.


<img src="http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/images/kohler_command_v-twin_nikki_carb/fuel_solenoid.JPG">


Voltage all checked out fine. It has a manual fuel pump that I think needs to be replaced. When I pour gas into the carb it fires right up. When I pulled the fuel pump off it is bone dry. Also I think it may have a leak because when I installed a priming bulb before the filter, gas leaked out of the pump.


Replaced the fuel pump and she started right up.
 

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