Unusual problem with John Deere 115

rdd1952

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Apr 30, 2017
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My problem is strange and I've not been able to find anything on the internet. The mower is older but still runs well until late last year. If I'm cutting/driving on level ground, on a slope where the left side of the mower is lower or turning hard right, the mower still runs/cuts fine.

The problem is that if I am turning hard left (as in cutting around trees/shrubs) or on a slope where the right side is lower than the left, it starts to sputter and eventually chokes down unless I disengage the mower and slow the engine to an idle. Since the 2 yards I cut (mine and my parent's house) have a decent slope on them, this means that cutting on the slope with the right side lower happens a good portion of the time and it has added about 50% extra to my cutting time.

I have drained the carburetor, fuel line and fuel tank so I know it's not an issue with something in the fuel system. The nearest authorized Deere dealer and repair shops are close to an hour drive from me and I have no way to take it to them to look at so I'm kind of stuck. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 

ILENGINE

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Possibly a float height that is too high allowing fuel to be drawn through an internal vent when the fuel is moved to that right side of the carb.
 

bertsmobile1

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Be very careful mowing across slopes.
The oil pump is on the left on most engines and if the oil level is a little low it can end up pumping air.
Next time you are in that spot, check the the position of the fuel outlet and the carb.
It works both ways .
One way you are sucking air through the fuel lines & the other way you are flooding the carb.
In the long run it might be a lot quicker to take a line trimmer with you , hop off and do a trim around the trees or do a run around each with a walk behind.
 

rdd1952

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Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning toward it being a float issue. The oil is on the right side so if that's the issue, it's getting too much oil when it's lower on the right rather too little.
 

BlazNT

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I leaning towards a wire that is contacting ground when you turn to left. If nothing else pans out start checking wires touching the frame for bare spots.
 
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