Husqvarna Riding Mower no power

motion · 02:57 PM

So, last summer I let one of my neighbors use my riding mower to cut the stuff lining his long gravel road. It was tall stuff. My mower was running great when it left my possession. He brought it back a few hours later barely running. Of course, he had no idea anything was wrong.

So now its difficult to start, doesn't sound too great while running, and when I engage the deck, it almost dies. Barely enough power to spin the blades. I would think I would know if it was only running on one cylinder, and it doesn't sound like that. It will still cut short grass, but just barely.

Its a Honda 749cc v-twin. I've flushed all the fuel, cleaned the air filter, checked the fuel filter and replaced spark plugs. No change. I'm fearing a bent crankshaft.

Any other ideas?

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

I know it may sound obvious, but, did you happen to check the oil?

stevej37 · 03-12-2018, 02:57 PM

I doubt a bent crank. With a belt driven deck, if he ran it over something solid, something else would absorb the sudden stop. Maybe something caught in the belt tensioner for the deck?

motion · 03-12-2018, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I know it may sound obvious, but, did you happen to check the oil?

It had a fresh oil change, so I didn't check. I will do that, thanks.

BTW, motor only has about 150 hours on it.

motion · 03-12-2018, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevej37

I doubt a bent crank. With a belt driven deck, if he ran it over something solid, something else would absorb the sudden stop. Maybe something caught in the belt tensioner for the deck?

It doesn't start easily and doesn't idle very well. I hear a lot of exhaust-type noise. Maybe 10-15% more than usual. Wouldn't that negate any deck issues? (deck not engaged)

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

My Honda powered mower only has 160cc's so I'm impressed with a 750cc mower.

stevej37 · 03-12-2018, 03:00 PM

Yeah..I didn't read that good the first time.
Was just assuming he ran it over rough stuff

asphaltgambler · 03-12-2018, 03:29 PM

Very likely fuel delivery related, all the way to the intake port......

LakeCleElum · 03-12-2018, 03:36 PM

You have covered the basic stuff......IF you have a tester, check compression next?

stevej37 · 03-12-2018, 03:45 PM

Was he using the mower along any steep banks that could have starved the oil?
Or does that engine have pressurized oiling. I know some engines had that problem. I doubt Honda would do that though. Just guessing.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Don't those have a vacuum operated fuel pump? I think they also have a coil for each cylinder. I'd probably start there. Could be weak spark. Have you pulled a plug to see if they're both burning right? Could be down one with a bad coil. My dad's mower ran like crap when he had a coil go bad. It would still mow but didn't have the same power.

Grog · 03:54 PM

Pull carburetor, open fuel bowl, clean the whole thing with carb cleaner. Don't use ethanol fuel.

Have a hustler zero turn that acted the same as yours. Honda V twin. I replaced the fuel filter, plugs, gas flush etc. Ran perfect after a carb cleaning.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grog

Pull carburetor, open fuel bowl, clean the whole thing with carb cleaner. Don't use ethanol fuel.

Have a hustler zero turn that acted the same as yours. I replaced the fuel filter, plugs, gas flush etc. Ran perfect after a carb cleaning.

Good point! If it sat for a while it could have varnished the carb and plugged the idle and main jets a bit causing it to idle poorly and not throttle up.

Motion,
Try closing the choke and see if it helps the idle. It could be getting too much air and if the idle is plugged could be causing it to run poorly. Then throttle up. If it stumbles you know you're lean.

VincentVega · 03-12-2018, 04:29 PM

Make sure the blades and pulleys arent clogged with grass/debris.

KFC911 · 03-12-2018, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Make sure the blades and pulleys arent clogged with grass/debris.

Yep, in addition to everything else. But most importantly....don't loan him yer stuff

.

I'll do stuff for them, but I don't do that...

KFC911 · 03-12-2018, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteremsley

I lent my generator to someone in need for a pretty big motorcycle race. The pull-start cord snapped when he was using it. He did repair it, but it hasn't been the same since - tripping all the time on loads that never bothered it before. The cord also broke again (or came off, can't tell). It's a Kipor/Honda inverter if anyone has skills

No skilz....but yeah, I'd loan a generator too...stuff happens. Just not working tools that can be used and abused. I'll loan stuff to my uncle, including my arsenal of Stihls, but he don't want me to use his chainsaws...and I understand completely

wswartzwel · 03-12-2018, 07:14 PM

If it is making a lot of exhaust noise, check to see if it is coming from the intake. Could have dropped one of the exhaust valve push rods. a spray bottle spritzed onto the header pipe will tell you if it is only running well on one lung.

Bill Douglas · 03-12-2018, 07:18 PM

It sounds an expensive thing for your neighbor to get fixed.

ckelly78z · 03-13-2018, 03:53 AM

Check the deck for obstructions, strings, power cords, garden hoses wrapped around the spindles/blades all seem to make the mower operate in a less than efficient manner....ask me how I know ?

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Thinking about this more, He said the mower came back running like crap. I don't think it's a clogged jet at that point. I'd look at the fuel pump and ignition coils.