John Deere Lx188

daisyman

Member
I was doing some catching up on reading the forum and I ran across Jeffcat's mention of NGK Iridium plugs for the Briggs twin engines. I've got a JD LX188 (Kawasaki FD540V) that is partially running mostly on one cylinder.(right side) If I pull the plug wire off the left side I can tell it's doing a little but not what it's supposed to. So far, a different coil, plugs on both sides, different pickup coils and a different igniter box. Same problem! Compression on both sides 150+ pounds, exactly the same. The only thing I haven't done yet is pull the valve cover and check the valve clearances. It starts right up and sounds like its running fine until you turn on the deck, and then, no power.
Back to the iridium plugs, I looked on E-bay for some for that engine, but no luck. I have worked on a lot of different Kaw v-twins and they all seem mostly flawless, unless its carby problems, mostly idle, and some cleaning usually fixes that.
Long post, I know, but I think I've tried most everything with no luck. Am I missing something?

Thanks, Irv
 
Since it sounds like you have checked everything else, you either have an intake leak or a stopped up carburetor.
Does putting the choke on partially help?
 
I also have an LX188. From your inquiry I cannot tell if you have had it for a while or just bought it. At any rate I have to run my mower around the yard for 5 minutes
or so to warm up, and THEN engage the blade. If the engine / transmission is not warm, it dies as you describe. Hope you have an easy fix.
 
It kind of hard to run it on half choke since those have the throttle and choke are on the same lever. If it was an LX 279, I'd be good to go....separate ones. It doesn't seem like its running short of fuel, but i hadn't thought of a leaking intake. I didn't get a chance to look at it at all today. I'll try to spray some starting fluid along the intake tomorrow and see what happens. Good idea.
I'm aware that Kawasaki's are cold blooded and it takes a while to get them to get the decks rolling, especially the 48" ers. We can't seem to get out of the low 40's here for temperature so everythings cold including me!! Thanks for the suggestions. l'll let you know what I find out.

Irv
:roll:
 

I've had if for a while but bought it in the winter so haven't used it, but have tried to run the deck. I can get it going but you can tell it doesn't have any steam. It wouldn't mow grass. :cry:

Irv
 

Later versions of that Kawasaki engine were upgraded to a two barrel carb. The LX188 twin engine with a single barrel carb idles like a John Deere B or an old Harley.
 
quote="daisyman"](reply to post at 17:44:56 04/15/18) [/quote]

Buick and Deere, I did a search for that carb, and it looks like all I can come up with is an AM128355 which is the latest one shown for the FD501V engine in the 188, 279, and 289, and they all look like a single bbl. carb. Would you have a number for that two barrel one.

Thanks, lrv
 

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