John Deere 318 Needs Choke Out To Run

CaseChev · Oct 17, 2020

Late model John Deere 318. My brother was mowing and started to run poorly.....pulled choke out and seemed to help in order to finish. Then started to run like too much fuel......pushed choke in and ran OK for awhile. This scenario was repeated several times. What would be some high probability things to look at or diagnose ? Thanks

wore out · Oct 17, 2020

The carburetor needs to be cleaned, a COMMON issue with the Onans, and it's a miserable job to remove the carburetor to clean t thoroughly due to all the shrouding on the engine.

Also, the intake manifold is made in two pieces and sealed together with silicone (DUMB) and they can fail over time and leak air into the fuel mixture causing a lean condition.

But from your description, the problem comes and goes, pointing to a carb issue.

gab · Oct 17, 2020

I have two Onans in Wheel Horse tractors, Usually at least one of them a year will start surging really bad. I think it's from a plugged air bleed in the top of the carb. I take the air filter out and the plastic piece over carb. throat and spray carb. cleaner around the top inside of the carb, let it set awhile then blow that area out with air, keep a rag kinda covering it so you don't get a face full of gas.

You still could have some crap inside but I've had good luck with the carb. cleaner and air for a bad surging problem.

a1cnc · Oct 31, 2020

Best answer will depend on the last time the carb was fully cleaned.

I have a 318 with a replacement lifan engine and when I first bought it this year it ran perfect. By the middle of this summer I need to run 1/2 choke.
I recommend a full on super douche and verify everything is set right. I had a sears suburban in the past with an onan and I swear the onan carbs need more fiddling than anything else I have owned!

kevinstuff · Nov 12, 2020

Start with simple stuff , like replace fuel filter, now the Onan has a fuel pump
that on my 16 hp is pulsed by a rubber tube between carb and crank case . also that
large ruber tube that goes to air cleaner make sure its ok not cracked and their is
a type of filter inside the larger tube ,remove it and clean it .last carb kit i purchased was about $60
at the Cummins dealer , removing carb is not an easy job best left to small engine mechanic

Billy Shafer · Nov 13, 2020

What is the model and serial number. Of the engine.

ziffel · Dec 19, 2020

Got one just like it with the same chronic problem. Remove air cleaner complete. ALL of it. Pack the area around the carb with a few shop towels. Make finding the parts you drop easier to find. Remove choke linkage and top of carb. You will see a small brass fuel jet. That is the low speed jet. Remove and clean. An air hose will generally do. If during this process the carb looks dirty inside remove and clean. No fun to remove. A good high quality fuel filter makes a big difference.

John Deere 318 Needs Choke Out To Run

CaseChev

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wore out

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gab

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a1cnc

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kevinstuff

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Billy Shafer

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ziffel

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