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Mower just shut off
#1
H
Homeuser
H
Homeuser
Hi, I have a JD 318, I'm not sure of the year (maybe 1985?). I only use it for plowing snow. I started it up and we using it for about an hour. All of a sudden, it just stopped. No warnings, no signs, just stopped. I keep moth balls under the hood to try to keep mice out. They are always building beats in there. I took air filter off and found accorns in there. Cleaned it out, but it won't start now. When I try, it makes a puttering sound, then sits down again. It's almost life is not getting air or fuel. I don't know much about engines. I'm ready to just scrap this machine, but when it's working, it does the job. If anyone has any ideas, I'll gladly try them out. I tried calling a local guy that worked on it for me, but he no longer does it.
There is fuel in the tank..
Thanks for your help!
There is fuel in the tank..
Thanks for your help!
#2
reynoldston
Stop and think. It needs fuel, spark, compression, and timing. If you know how to test these items it will run. Start small like seeing if the plug sparks, check filters, fresh fuel, spray some starter fluid in the carburetor then work up from there. If you think you might of over heated the engine from mice nest check the compression with a compression gauge. hope you the best of luck.
reynoldston
Hi, I have a JD 318, I'm not sure of the year (maybe 1985?). I only use it for plowing snow. I started it up and we using it for about an hour. All of a sudden, it just stopped. No warnings, no signs, just stopped. I keep moth balls under the hood to try to keep mice out. They are always building beats in there. I took air filter off and found accorns in there. Cleaned it out, but it won't start now. When I try, it makes a puttering sound, then sits down again. It's almost life is not getting air or fuel. I don't know much about engines. I'm ready to just scrap this machine, but when it's working, it does the job. If anyone has any ideas, I'll gladly try them out. I tried calling a local guy that worked on it for me, but he no longer does it.
There is fuel in the tank..
Thanks for your help!
Stop and think. It needs fuel, spark, compression, and timing. If you know how to test these items it will run. Start small like seeing if the plug sparks, check filters, fresh fuel, spray some starter fluid in the carburetor then work up from there. If you think you might of over heated the engine from mice nest check the compression with a compression gauge. hope you the best of luck.
#3
M
Mad Mackie
M
Mad Mackie
Your JD 318 probably has an Onan twin cylinder engine. There are several groups that specialize in Onans and you may try these groups to get specific info about your tractor and engine.
#4
RDA.Lawns
RDA.Lawns
I for one don't like onan . Cummins now owns onan and almost no aftermarket parts aviable . The last onan anything I had was a miller bobcat welding machine . Coil went out . Spent a week looking for 1 . Only available from Cummins. Paid a small fortune for it. I replaced my welding machine with a new 1 don't think I'll ever have another onan . Good luck with your onan. 
#5
M
Mad Mackie
M
Mad Mackie
Some folks still like Onans and some folks don't!
My first dealings with Onans was in 1970 and continued until 2004.
Onan provided hundreds of OEM spec engines and produced tens of thousands of engines over the years.
Unfortunately Onan lost the battle against ever demanding emissions requirements and their first and only OHV twin was produced too late and too expensive to compete against other manufacturers.
Fortunately for diehard Onan operators, most parts are still available although expensive.
Before I changed to ZTRs in 2008, I put thousands of hours on Onan powered garden tractors doing lawn care and snow removal for many folks.
But for me and many others, the time had come to move on, but I have yet to have an engine run as long as my Onans did between overhauls.
My first dealings with Onans was in 1970 and continued until 2004.
Onan provided hundreds of OEM spec engines and produced tens of thousands of engines over the years.
Unfortunately Onan lost the battle against ever demanding emissions requirements and their first and only OHV twin was produced too late and too expensive to compete against other manufacturers.
Fortunately for diehard Onan operators, most parts are still available although expensive.
Before I changed to ZTRs in 2008, I put thousands of hours on Onan powered garden tractors doing lawn care and snow removal for many folks.
But for me and many others, the time had come to move on, but I have yet to have an engine run as long as my Onans did between overhauls.
#6
M
Mad Mackie
M
Mad Mackie
John Deere produced many tractors with Onan engines powering them. Some of these tractors are very capable and need a little TLC from the right folks to keep them operating for a long time.
The right folks are unfortunately retiring or passing on, but some of them are still around, you gotta search for them.
The right folks are unfortunately retiring or passing on, but some of them are still around, you gotta search for them.
#7
H
Homeuser
Thanks for your help, I changed the fuel filter AND put a little gas in carburetor and it still just cranks & turns over, but won't start. I'm not much of an engine tester, nor do have any tools to do so. In fact, I don't even know how to identify any other parts in the engine. That's how bad at this I am.
I don't think it's bad gas, cause I just filled the jug and used it in my other machines.,
I was hoping (since I don't know anything about engines) that it could be something stupid and easy like, leaves sucked into something that I could figure out how to take apart..
So, if changing the fuel filter and putting a little gas in carburetor didn't work, what else could do this? It also has a new spark plug. I don't want to sink in a ton of money into it. I only use it to plow snow in winters.
H
Homeuser
Stop and think. It needs fuel, spark, compression, and timing. If you know how to test these items it will run. Start small like seeing if the plug sparks, check filters, fresh fuel, spray some starter fluid in the carburetor then work up from there. If you think you might of over heated the engine from mice nest check the compression with a compression gauge. hope you the best of luck.
Thanks for your help, I changed the fuel filter AND put a little gas in carburetor and it still just cranks & turns over, but won't start. I'm not much of an engine tester, nor do have any tools to do so. In fact, I don't even know how to identify any other parts in the engine. That's how bad at this I am.
I don't think it's bad gas, cause I just filled the jug and used it in my other machines.,
I was hoping (since I don't know anything about engines) that it could be something stupid and easy like, leaves sucked into something that I could figure out how to take apart..
So, if changing the fuel filter and putting a little gas in carburetor didn't work, what else could do this? It also has a new spark plug. I don't want to sink in a ton of money into it. I only use it to plow snow in winters.
#8
reynoldston
reynoldston
If you don't do your own repair work or have the tools or skill to do so it sounds to me like its time to take it to a repair shop. Don't just buy parts and hoping for a repair. If you have a use for this tractor its well worth spending some money on it because what will it cost you for snow removal? You know this answer better then I do. It doesn't take much to spend 2 to 3 hundred dollars on a repair with the high cost of parts and labor and that is just if it doesn't need something major.
#9
M
Mad Mackie
M
Mad Mackie
You need to get your tractor to a qualified servicing facility and have them diagnose the problem.
When the problem(s) have been determined and the cost of repair(s) estimated, then make the decision to have the work done or not.
Mice damage, lack of proper maintenance and insufficient storage preparation will end up being costly to resolve.
When the problem(s) have been determined and the cost of repair(s) estimated, then make the decision to have the work done or not.
Mice damage, lack of proper maintenance and insufficient storage preparation will end up being costly to resolve.
#10
H
Homeuser
Thanks..That's what I'm going to do..I was hoping it was something easy...I see you live in CT as well.. Who would you recommend? I"m in the Valley area (Seymour/Ansonia)
H
Homeuser
You need to get your tractor to a qualified servicing facility and have them diagnose the problem.
When the problem(s) have been determined and the cost of repair(s) estimated, then make the decision to have the work done or not.
Mice damage, lack of proper maintenance and insufficient storage preparation will end up being costly to resolve.
Thanks..That's what I'm going to do..I was hoping it was something easy...I see you live in CT as well.. Who would you recommend? I"m in the Valley area (Seymour/Ansonia)
#11
M
Mad Mackie
M
Mad Mackie
I'm in southeastern CT and not familiar with power equipment dealers in your area.
Marvin and Sons is a local John Deere dealer in Colchester not far from me.
Years back JD produced an excellent service manual for Onan powered tractors and I have used this manual when dealing with other Onan powered machines.
Marvin and Sons is a local John Deere dealer in Colchester not far from me.
Years back JD produced an excellent service manual for Onan powered tractors and I have used this manual when dealing with other Onan powered machines.
#12
H
Homeuser
Thank you! I found a part place in Shelton, I'll see if they do repairs as well. Thanks for Everyone's Help and advice!!1
H
Homeuser
I'm in southeastern CT and not familiar with power equipment dealers in your area.
Marvin and Sons is a local John Deere dealer in Colchester not far from me.
Years back JD produced an excellent service manual for Onan powered tractors and I have used this manual when dealing with other Onan powered machines.
Thank you! I found a part place in Shelton, I'll see if they do repairs as well. Thanks for Everyone's Help and advice!!1
#13
H
Homeuser
H
Homeuser
HI, just wanted to give an update.
I was able to get in touch with the guy who worked on my JD a few months ago, when I needed it to be prepared for the winter plow season. He couldn't get to it till after the holiday's. But asked me to move it into my garage for him. When I went out to move it, I tried to start it, and it started! It ran very sluggishly... I used a spark Tester (goes in line with the spark plug wire and spark plug) and it lit up, telling me that I was getting a spark or what ever it was supposed to do. So I took out the spark plug (which he put in a new one, a few months ago) and it was completely black! It had gunk on it and smelled like gas or oil. I checked the Oil level and it was over filled. I know I didn't do this as I am the only one who touched this, other than him when he came to service it for me, again a few months ago. It sits behind my shed under a cover, and I only use it for the winter snow plowing.
Again, I don't know much about engines, just the basics. This makes sense to me, as I believe the chambers filled up with oil and choked out the machine, causing it to stop as abruptly as it did. When I let it sit for 3-4 days, the oil settled back to where it needed to and allowed the machine to start and to breathe.
I have since, drained some oil and cleaned the spark plugs and holes the best I can. I will either get new plugs(again) or clean these and reuse them. But I just wanted to thank all who tried to help me find a solution to my problem.
Thanks again!!!!!
I was able to get in touch with the guy who worked on my JD a few months ago, when I needed it to be prepared for the winter plow season. He couldn't get to it till after the holiday's. But asked me to move it into my garage for him. When I went out to move it, I tried to start it, and it started! It ran very sluggishly... I used a spark Tester (goes in line with the spark plug wire and spark plug) and it lit up, telling me that I was getting a spark or what ever it was supposed to do. So I took out the spark plug (which he put in a new one, a few months ago) and it was completely black! It had gunk on it and smelled like gas or oil. I checked the Oil level and it was over filled. I know I didn't do this as I am the only one who touched this, other than him when he came to service it for me, again a few months ago. It sits behind my shed under a cover, and I only use it for the winter snow plowing.
Again, I don't know much about engines, just the basics. This makes sense to me, as I believe the chambers filled up with oil and choked out the machine, causing it to stop as abruptly as it did. When I let it sit for 3-4 days, the oil settled back to where it needed to and allowed the machine to start and to breathe.
I have since, drained some oil and cleaned the spark plugs and holes the best I can. I will either get new plugs(again) or clean these and reuse them. But I just wanted to thank all who tried to help me find a solution to my problem.
Thanks again!!!!!
#14
RDA.Lawns
RDA.Lawns
Unless it was severely over full on oil that's not your problem. Was the oil milky colored? And why clean a 2$ plug. Chunk it and buy a new 1.
#15
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
When you go to the parts store get an in line fuel tap some more oil & a new oil filter.
The float valve is not shutting off the fuel or the diaphragm in the fuel pump is ruptured .
This is allowing fuel to enter the engine when it is not running, dribble past the ring gap and then down into the sump.
Rub your oil between your finger it will feel thin & smell a bit like fuel.
You will need to change the oil twice to get all the fuel out.
IF you are feeling brave you can pull the carb off and clean it out.
Most likely ther will b a little crd on the needle valve or the valve itself will have a little ridge in it.
Put the tap in the fuel line between the fuel tank & the fuel pump.
This is not a fix but a prevetative action it will need to be fixed properly but the tap adds some extra protection till the job gets done properly.
The float valve is not shutting off the fuel or the diaphragm in the fuel pump is ruptured .
This is allowing fuel to enter the engine when it is not running, dribble past the ring gap and then down into the sump.
Rub your oil between your finger it will feel thin & smell a bit like fuel.
You will need to change the oil twice to get all the fuel out.
IF you are feeling brave you can pull the carb off and clean it out.
Most likely ther will b a little crd on the needle valve or the valve itself will have a little ridge in it.
Put the tap in the fuel line between the fuel tank & the fuel pump.
This is not a fix but a prevetative action it will need to be fixed properly but the tap adds some extra protection till the job gets done properly.
#16
M
Mad Mackie
M
Mad Mackie
Homeuser,
Would it be possible for you to post the tractor model and serial number and the engine model and serial number.
JD 318s have Onan twin cylinder engines, but you speak on changing the spark plug, Onan twins have two spark plugs.
Sincerely, you should have someone who is qualified and experienced with power equipment trouble shoot and repair your tractor.
When you finally get a mech to work on your tractor, they will need to find that what you may have done wrong, find out what is actually wrong and then repair all.
One service department that worked at had a sign and it read:
The labor rate is X dollars per hour.
If you watch, the labor rate is 2X dollars per hour.
If you help, the labor rate is 3X dollars per hour.
If you don't like any of the above, the exit door is directly behind you, don't forget to take your broken "thing" with you.:laughing:
Would it be possible for you to post the tractor model and serial number and the engine model and serial number.
JD 318s have Onan twin cylinder engines, but you speak on changing the spark plug, Onan twins have two spark plugs.
Sincerely, you should have someone who is qualified and experienced with power equipment trouble shoot and repair your tractor.
When you finally get a mech to work on your tractor, they will need to find that what you may have done wrong, find out what is actually wrong and then repair all.
One service department that worked at had a sign and it read:
The labor rate is X dollars per hour.
If you watch, the labor rate is 2X dollars per hour.
If you help, the labor rate is 3X dollars per hour.
If you don't like any of the above, the exit door is directly behind you, don't forget to take your broken "thing" with you.:laughing:
#17
H
Homeuser
This is all I have
John Deere-ID# M00318X485305
Engine: ONAN-A8831585
P218G-I10462E
I have a tech coming after the holidays.
H
Homeuser
Homeuser,
Would it be possible for you to post the tractor model and serial number and the engine model and serial number.
One service department that worked at had a sign and it read:
The labor rate is X dollars per hour.
If you watch, the labor rate is 2X dollars per hour.
If you help, the labor rate is 3X dollars per hour.
If you don't like any of the above, the exit door is directly behind you, don't forget to take your broken "thing" with you.:laughing:
This is all I have
John Deere-ID# M00318X485305
Engine: ONAN-A8831585
P218G-I10462E
I have a tech coming after the holidays.
#18
M
Mad Mackie
M
Mad Mackie
Good morning Homeuser,
Your 318 has an Onan model P218 twin cylinder engine that was built in January of 1988. This makes your tractor a 1988 or 1989 year model.
The Onan P218 engine has two cylinders in a horizontal opposed configuration. It has solid state ignition and uses battery positive electricity from the key switch to power it.
Both the Onan engine and JD 318 are fairly stout units, but as with any machine/engine, does need regular maintenance performed on it.
Incorporated into the tractor wiring harness are several safety circuits to prevent engine starting when an unsafe condition is present. Similar safety circuits shut down the engine if an unsafe condition is present. Sometimes these circuits have malfunctions.
I used to do house calls for customers, but stopped a few years ago and only do maintenance on my own machines.
For years I operated P218 powered garden tractors in my lawn care/snow removal business, but went to Zero Turn mowers in 2008 and sold all but one of my garden tractors. The high time P218 that was in my garden tractor failed and as Onan engines are no longer produced, I repowered this tractor with a Briggs Vanguard engine.
Onan parts are still available although fairly expensive.
I have both JD and Onan service manuals for Onan engines in pdf format should your tech need this information, they are large downloads however.
JD service manuals are available at JD dealers and possibly on line.
Keep us up to date with the condition of your tractor.:laughing::biggrin::smile:
Your 318 has an Onan model P218 twin cylinder engine that was built in January of 1988. This makes your tractor a 1988 or 1989 year model.
The Onan P218 engine has two cylinders in a horizontal opposed configuration. It has solid state ignition and uses battery positive electricity from the key switch to power it.
Both the Onan engine and JD 318 are fairly stout units, but as with any machine/engine, does need regular maintenance performed on it.
Incorporated into the tractor wiring harness are several safety circuits to prevent engine starting when an unsafe condition is present. Similar safety circuits shut down the engine if an unsafe condition is present. Sometimes these circuits have malfunctions.
I used to do house calls for customers, but stopped a few years ago and only do maintenance on my own machines.
For years I operated P218 powered garden tractors in my lawn care/snow removal business, but went to Zero Turn mowers in 2008 and sold all but one of my garden tractors. The high time P218 that was in my garden tractor failed and as Onan engines are no longer produced, I repowered this tractor with a Briggs Vanguard engine.
Onan parts are still available although fairly expensive.
I have both JD and Onan service manuals for Onan engines in pdf format should your tech need this information, they are large downloads however.
JD service manuals are available at JD dealers and possibly on line.
Keep us up to date with the condition of your tractor.:laughing::biggrin::smile:
#19
H
Homeuser
I will. Thanks! If it's going to be costly, I"m just gonna have to Junk it... :frown::thumbdown:
H
Homeuser
Good morning Homeuser,
Keep us up to date with the condition of your tractor.:laughing::biggrin::smile:
I will. Thanks! If it's going to be costly, I"m just gonna have to Junk it... :frown::thumbdown:
#20
NorthBama
Wow wished i lived coser to you if you are going to junk it i would buy it. I love Onan engines because i help build them from 1974 until 1997 when the went down. That engine is built better than most all that are built today.
NorthBama
I will. Thanks! If it's going to be costly, I"m just gonna have to Junk it... :frown::thumbdown:
Wow wished i lived coser to you if you are going to junk it i would buy it. I love Onan engines because i help build them from 1974 until 1997 when the went down. That engine is built better than most all that are built today.
#21
primerbulb120
Try selling it on Craigslist before junking it. If that doesn't work put it in the free section on Craigslist and give it to someone who will fix it. I did that with a Honda HR215 I didn't have time to repair. Found someone who collects and restores HR215s. That'll be a good home for it! :thumbsup:
primerbulb120
I will. Thanks! If it's going to be costly, I"m just gonna have to Junk it... :frown::thumbdown:
Try selling it on Craigslist before junking it. If that doesn't work put it in the free section on Craigslist and give it to someone who will fix it. I did that with a Honda HR215 I didn't have time to repair. Found someone who collects and restores HR215s. That'll be a good home for it! :thumbsup:
#22
reynoldston
reynoldston
I have some customers with the Onan engine in their tractors. They are the smoothest running engine out there. You will never find a replacement that compares making that tractor is worth spending some money on.
#23
H
Homeuser66
Hi, For some reason, I was banned (Only created this post). So I created another profile just to update my results of my JD 318. First, Thanks everyone for all your help. (I guess I'll get banned again for no reason) but here are the results to my John Deere 318 issue.
Although I didn't send my JD out. I did have a Tech come make a house call. Besides the Coil and Capacitor go bad. I had a Flow screw in the Carburetor come out and fall under the Float on the Left side, causing a lot of gas to go into the Carburetor (Also going into the Oil). Now this thing is running like a champ again!!!
Thanks for your help!
6 second of how it sounds now!
H
Homeuser66
Good morning Homeuser,
Your 318 has an Onan model P218 twin cylinder engine that was built in January of 1988. This makes your tractor a 1988 or 1989 year model.
The Onan P218 engine has two cylinders in a horizontal opposed configuration. It has solid state ignition and uses battery positive electricity from the key switch to power it.
Both the Onan engine and JD 318 are fairly stout units, but as with any machine/engine, does need regular maintenance performed on it.
Incorporated into the tractor wiring harness are several safety circuits to prevent engine starting when an unsafe condition is present. Similar safety circuits shut down the engine if an unsafe condition is present. Sometimes these circuits have malfunctions.
I used to do house calls for customers, but stopped a few years ago and only do maintenance on my own machines.
For years I operated P218 powered garden tractors in my lawn care/snow removal business, but went to Zero Turn mowers in 2008 and sold all but one of my garden tractors. The high time P218 that was in my garden tractor failed and as Onan engines are no longer produced, I repowered this tractor with a Briggs Vanguard engine.
Onan parts are still available although fairly expensive.
I have both JD and Onan service manuals for Onan engines in pdf format should your tech need this information, they are large downloads however.
JD service manuals are available at JD dealers and possibly on line.
Keep us up to date with the condition of your tractor.:laughing::biggrin::smile:
Hi, For some reason, I was banned (Only created this post). So I created another profile just to update my results of my JD 318. First, Thanks everyone for all your help. (I guess I'll get banned again for no reason) but here are the results to my John Deere 318 issue.
Although I didn't send my JD out. I did have a Tech come make a house call. Besides the Coil and Capacitor go bad. I had a Flow screw in the Carburetor come out and fall under the Float on the Left side, causing a lot of gas to go into the Carburetor (Also going into the Oil). Now this thing is running like a champ again!!!
Thanks for your help!
6 second of how it sounds now!
#24
NorthBama
NorthBama
Great news on your 318. Glad you saved it from the scrap its just too good of a machine to scrap. Thanks for the update post.
#25
S
SeniorCitizen
S
SeniorCitizen
OH, I know how you were able to register. The site admin speaks the same language and that's one I don't need to see on every package label along with 3 or more others.
#26
BlazNT
What are you talking about?
BlazNT
OH, I know how you were able to register. The site admin speaks the same language and that's one I don't need to see on every package label along with 3 or more others.
What are you talking about?
#28
NorthBama
it was one of those posts that look like Chinese arithmetic. It was deleted not long after it was posted.
NorthBama
I don't get it either....lol
it was one of those posts that look like Chinese arithmetic. It was deleted not long after it was posted.