Well, the only part you have not changed is the belt. As long as all pulleys, spindles, alignment, etc. are good, it should be good with a new belt. Old belts that get twisted sometimes don’t work once they are compromised.
I love working on Stihl equipment! Stihl is the most common handheld equipment in my area. My success rate for getting Stihl equipment starting and running well is very high as long as there is good compression.
The Kawasaki FH engines were and are great engines! No flaws that I am aware of.
You spent enough time and money on this mower to probably buy two used mowers. At least you know your mower pretty well now.
I had an old Yard Machines mower I recently sold with a 13.5 hp Briggs engine doing the same thing. Tried OEM carburetor three different times after cleaning and messing with intake gaskets, replaced with another old carburetor I had after cleaning, same thing, only run right on choke. Bought a...
Artificial intelligence gives answers based on what a person has fed the program with information. Artificial intelligence is already annoying and it is relatively new.
Some part of your deck isn’t right. Double check the size of belt to be so it is correct. How is the belt tension on deck belt when it is engaged? Double check all the spindles and pulleys for free movement and being on a level plane with each other.
Stens is a distributor that has been around for years. 8ten is a newer distributor that has aggressively marketed parts. I have bought from both with good results. Neither manufactures any parts, just stock and sell them.
Many of these mowers, last 15 years let’s say, that have mulching spring loaded covers on right side of deck, install an exit chute for grass if possible. Mulching never works as well as letting the grass fly out.