Deere 212 possibly weak fuel pump?

DMartin9N-2N · Aug 13, 2019

Still problems with 12 HP Kohler; while cutting grass, it runs well when gas tank is full but wants to cut out when tank gets down to about half. Playing with choke helps some but still will not run well near full throttle until I fill tank again. I think new fuel pump is about $100.00. Do I have much choice as to pump or other work? Folks with actual experience, your opinions please.

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

steve_in_mo · Aug 13, 2019

The half-tank comment is a big clue. Partial obstruction, somewhere.....
There are a lot of things to check and crud buildup can happen anywhere.
Block the front wheels and elevate the rear of the tractor a few inches.
I'd recommend you start at the tank and work forward, looking for a good stream at each connection.
Drain the tank and take the shutoff valve out first. There's a screen at the top of the valve, inside the tank..
If it hasn't been done for several years, replace the hose with fuel-safe tubing.
If you have an original fuel pump it can be rebuilt but kits are scarce.
Some times the pump sort of loses prime or the little flapper valves get tired.
A replacement plastic pump is cheap, or a low-pressure electric pump on eBay is under $20.
Good luck.

504 · Aug 14, 2019

I am running a couple of theirs. flipmfg.com
flipmfg.com

Steve@Advance · Aug 16, 2019

If not already done, replace the fuel lines.

Could be cracked and sucking air, or degrading internally from ethanol. The inside can swell shut or flake off.

Look inside all fittings, check for flow, disassemble and clean the pump. Flaking rubber from the hose, or any debris can be clogging the flow. The lower the level, the harder the pump has to work. If borderline, it falls short of demand.

If the filter is on the suction side of the pump, try moving it to the pressure side. A fine screen type filter works better on the low pressure system than a paper filter.

If there are 2 tanks, possibly the change over valve is a restriction or sucking air. Try direct plumbing one tank, see if the problem goes with the valve.

DMartin9N-2N · Aug 16, 2019

I think I will stop reporting on this until something more definite happens. This afternoon, it ran and mowed grass for a half hour, then started cutting out, still with a full tank. I stopped in middle of yard, removed right side of hood (because some poster said it would run too hot with all covers in place). I changed spark plug just because I could. So, about a half hour after it quit, I started it again, finished mowing yard. There may be something to the idea that it runs too hot with all covers installed. I will know more after a really hot day! That's all for today.

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

504 · Aug 18, 2019

I should have thought of this earlier. If the fuel line pulls from the top of the tank like the 300 series
(314,318 etc)the pick up inside of the tank is just a rubber line that cracks and breaks off. Anyway replace any
fuel line on the mower. BTW,I had a Simplicity that would run across my yard twice and quit. There was a small
cocoon in the tank,it would plug the line and wash out when it died,I put on a $60.00 fuel pump on it before I
pulled the tank off. It was probably a good thing there was no insurance on it

CKain(MI) · Aug 19, 2019

I run 3-JD 212's and I agree with removing the engine covers. also a new gas line is worth it...

Deere 212 possibly weak fuel pump?

DMartin9N-2N

Member

steve_in_mo

Well-known Member

504

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

DMartin9N-2N

Member

504

Well-known Member

CKain(MI)

Well-known Member

Similar threads