timmy b 10 #1 Posted April 5, 2019 I have a relatively nice 1996 314-8 Automatic that has ran great for years. One day last summer I'm running it, wheeled around a sharp corner and the engine just loses power and starts sputtering and popping. Despite my best basic maintenance efforts it won't run well at all now. Mind you it was all of a sudden that it failed. Something happened inside that engine and I have no idea what. I don't know if it's the carburetor but that seems too simple. It'll start but won't throttle up and just wont run right. I've changed out the oil, the fuel, and the fuel line. I would appreciate any help and suggestions. Thanks Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,080 #2 Posted April 5, 2019 4 minutes ago, timmy b said: it, wheeled around a sharp corner and the engine just loses power and starts sputtering and popping. Chances are you dislodged some trash in the gas tank and it has your fuel line and or carburetor clogged up. Flush the tank, use a new fuel hose and add a fuel filter. If that won't do it then rebuild the carb. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timmy b 10 #3 Posted April 5, 2019 Okay thank you. Your saying it isn't getting fuel. I've replaced the fuel and fuel line however I've not flushed the tank...I will do that. I can then rebuild the carburetor if nothing changes. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,046 #4 Posted April 5, 2019 I would pull the fuel line off at the carb. Hold it in a container while someone cranks the engine. The fuel should spurt out in a strong stream. If it does, then the problem (blockage) is in the carb. If it does not spurt strongly, the next step is to pull the fuel line off at the input to the fuel pump to see if the fuel pump is getting a supply of fuel. If you have a good supply into the pump, then the pump is bad. If you do not have fuel into the pump, then there is a blockage in the lines and or tank shutoff valve. 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,537 #5 Posted April 5, 2019 Yes what Ed just said and don't forget to check the screen for blockage in the shut off valve. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,843 #6 Posted April 5, 2019 (edited) Does this tractor have an oil safety? If it does perhaps the oil was low, moved away from the safety switch and the switch stuck in the failed position? Also seat switch? I had a Snapper rider if you got leaning one side too much the seat switch would open. Edited April 5, 2019 by squonk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timmy b 10 #7 Posted April 9, 2019 I get that Ed Kennell. That's a complete fuel delivery test. I have not yet done this as you have described. I will definitely be completing this process...thank you! Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timmy b 10 #8 Posted April 9, 2019 Squonk...I am not aware of any oil safety on this unit. If there is a switch, do you have an idea of where it would be? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,843 #9 Posted April 9, 2019 24 minutes ago, timmy b said: Squonk...I am not aware of any oil safety on this unit. If there is a switch, do you have an idea of where it would be? Right in the base of the engine. Look for wires going into a plug 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,491 #10 Posted April 9, 2019 The low oil switch only controls the starter circuit. It won't stop the engine from running. Pto switch and seat switch control the ignition Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timmy b 10 #11 Posted April 11, 2019 On 4/9/2019 at 7:09 AM, squonk said: Right in the base of the engine. Look for wires going into a plug Thank you...I did find the switch... Squonk...can you answer this...if this oil safety switch fails completely or sticks in the failed position will it stop the engine from running completely? Or will the engine simply run awful? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
