Hope someone can help

[macdoesit]

I have a new Z325E Zero turn JD mower. Bought 2 months ago. 30 hours on it. Mowing today and when I disengaged the mower blades it started surging, like moving the throttle up and down. When a load is put on it, like mowing it does not surge. I cleaned my 5 gallon gas can, went to a different gas station frilled it up, came back, disconnected fuel line from mower gas tank, installed new gas filter, put gas line into gas can a couple inches below gas level, started the mower ran it 10 minutes and it still surged. It is under warranty, so I called the dealer that would be working on it. First thing they said was bad gas. I filled up 3- 5 gallon cans 2 weeks ago and used one can and no problem till today.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

I have a new Z325E Zero turn JD mower. Bought 2 months ago. 30 hours on it. Mowing today and when I disengaged the mower blades it started surging, like moving the throttle up and down. When a load is put on it, like mowing it does not surge. I cleaned my 5 gallon gas can, went to a different gas station frilled it up, came back, disconnected fuel line from mower gas tank, installed new gas filter, put gas line into gas can a couple inches below gas level, started the mower ran it 10 minutes and it still surged. It is under warranty, so I called the dealer that would be working on it. First thing they said was bad gas. I filled up 3- 5 gallon cans 2 weeks ago and used one can and no problem till today.

Bad Gas is the standard when they have no clue . .Put Champion plugs in it .

 

[hlw49]

Treat the fuel with sea foam. Take the fuel filter loose and drain the fuel out of it fill it with sea foam. Start and run see if that clears it up.

 

[Auto Doc's]

I have a new Z325E Zero turn JD mower. Bought 2 months ago. 30 hours on it. Mowing today and when I disengaged the mower blades it started surging, like moving the throttle up and down. When a load is put on it, like mowing it does not surge. I cleaned my 5 gallon gas can, went to a different gas station frilled it up, came back, disconnected fuel line from mower gas tank, installed new gas filter, put gas line into gas can a couple inches below gas level, started the mower ran it 10 minutes and it still surged. It is under warranty, so I called the dealer that would be working on it. First thing they said was bad gas. I filled up 3- 5 gallon cans 2 weeks ago and used one can and no problem till today.

Bad gas is usually from them leaving fuel in them while on the sale line. Fuel left sitting degrades especially with heat and sudden changes in the weather.

Most likely, they need to pull the carburetor and give it a proper cleaning. This machine likely sat on display for months with old fuel gradually starting to turn to a light varnish inside the carburetor bowl. That varnish will stay there for quite a few hours of initial run time until multiple refills with fresh fuel start breaking it down. At that point it slowly turns the varnish to a gel, and that begins choking down the small passages inside the carburetor.

I had this issue several times when I was a service manager for a local John Deere dealer. I began making sure to use only non-ethanol and that all of the fuel we used had stabilizer in it. The problems went away in a very short time.

As an FYI, John Deere does not warranty bad fuel claims, so the shop typically puts it off on the customer to pay for correcting the issue. If the service manager is helpful and creative, they will find a way to warranty the carburetor for "casting porosity" so it can be covered.

 

[sgkent]

take it to them. They cannot diagnosis it over the phone. If you mess with it, they can say you screwed it up. Could be a small spec of dirt in an idle circuit. There is a warranty.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

take it to them. They cannot diagnosis it over the phone. If you mess with it, they can say you screwed it up. Could be a small spec of dirt in an idle circuit. There is a warranty.

A big box store will refer you to a local shop and it will cost to fix. A good dealer will make it right for no charge (where you bought it).

 

[StarTech]

Sure you not using the JD dealer here? They couldn't even find a bad spark plug and told another customer that his engine didn't have an oil pump even it tough had an oil filter in plain sight and said just ignore the oil pressure light. That customer won't even allow JD techs touch his equipment even under warranty.

Did said most likely it a restriction in the carburetor idle circuit.

 

[macdoesit]

Bad gas is usually from them leaving fuel in them while on the sale line. Fuel left sitting degrades especially with heat and sudden changes in the weather.

Most likely, they need to pull the carburetor and give it a proper cleaning. This machine likely sat on display for months with old fuel gradually starting to turn to a light varnish inside the carburetor bowl. That varnish will stay there for quite a few hours of initial run time until multiple refills with fresh fuel start breaking it down. At that point it slowly turns the varnish to a gel, and that begins choking down the small passages inside the carburetor.

I had this issue several times when I was a service manager for a local John Deere dealer. I began making sure to use only non-ethanol and that all of the fuel we used had stabilizer in it. The problems went away in a very short time.

As an FYI, John Deere does not warranty bad fuel claims, so the shop typically puts it off on the customer to pay for correcting the issue. If the service manager is helpful and creative, they will find a way to warranty the carburetor for "casting porosity" so it can be covered.

The problem started at 30 hours, so what you said makes sense. When I bought it, I started it to load on my trailer, after loading, it immediately died. On the way home I stopped at a station to get gas in my pickup, and also filled up the mower, (100% gas) I have never used ethanol in any machine I own. It started right up after gas reached the carb and it ran like a champ till yesterday at 30.7 hours. The weird thing is, when I engage movement or engage the blades the surging stops, I can also hear a very faint popping from exhaust. Is there an additive to mix with gas to dissolve the varnish?
(I also copied your response so I can show it to the dealer shop manager.)

 

[macdoesit]

A big box store will refer you to a local shop and it will cost to fix. A good dealer will make it right for no charge (where you bought it).

Bought it from Lowes. In Mustang, Oklahoma.

 

[macdoesit]

Treat the fuel with sea foam. Take the fuel filter loose and drain the fuel out of it fill it with sea foam. Start and run see if that clears it up.

I put seafoam in the first tank of gas.