Cee245 827 #1 Posted May 28, 2019 Hi everyone, I have some questions about my family's 1998 520xi. Has about 600 hrs on it. We used it today to mow our camp and it suddenly cut out. We can get it to run for a few seconds on starting fluid... here is what we've done so far...(not in order) Cleaned spark plugs Cleaned carburetor Checked flow to carburetor (it is flowing) Cory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #2 Posted May 28, 2019 When you say you checked the flow to the carburetor, do you mean that the fuel pump is pushing fuel to it or you sprayed cleaner to make sure the needle was allowing fluid to pass through? If starting fluid will make it fire, you should at least be able to get it to do something with a freshly cleaned carb, provided the fuel pump isn't bad, or there isn't a clog in the fuel line somewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cee245 827 #3 Posted May 28, 2019 We took off the gas line after the fuel pump and it is flowing. I dont know if it's the correct volume, just that it is working. I suspect the fuel pump, but I'm just not sure. Cory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cee245 827 #4 Posted May 28, 2019 Also, we tried loosening gas cap, that didn't work... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cee245 827 #5 Posted May 28, 2019 Plan for now is to take the fuel pump off cap it all off and try on a known working 520xi. The hard part is this is our camp mower and is 3 hrs away from our houses. I will update with what we find. Thanks Cory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,482 #6 Posted May 29, 2019 Not familiar with an XI does it have a solenoid in the bowl of the carb? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #7 Posted May 29, 2019 A picture or short video of the flow would help determine if it's pumping like it should.. Is the fuel bowl staying dry? Is the needle stuck shut in the carb? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,214 #8 Posted May 29, 2019 If it cutout suddenly, I would suspect one of the safeties. The prime culprit is usually the seat switch. It is easy to run a jumper wire in place of the switch. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,235 #9 Posted May 29, 2019 11 hours ago, Shynon said: Not familiar with an XI does it have a solenoid in the bowl of the carb? I believe the engine is a Kohler Command. It should have a carb solenoid, it stops the fuel flowing to the card. If it stopped suddenly that or a safety switch could be the problem. With the solenoid closed you can still get it to fire on starting fluid. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricF 589 #10 Posted May 29, 2019 Although I'm not intimately familiar with the Kohler carb solenoid, there are other similar solenoid shutoffs used on fuel systems that I've encountered. If there's room for access to the linkage from the solenoid itself, try pushing or pulling it into the operating position and then fix it in place with some wire or a bent paperclip. Then try starting the engine. If it starts and runs, you've confirmed that the solenoid or its linkage is the problem. I wouldn't suggest leaving the solenoid disabled and held open, though. Besides providing a safety function, it also functions as an anti-run-on device so that fuel shuts off positively and limits the chance of raw fuel continuing to be drawn into the cylinder and out the exhaust after the ignition shuts off -- which causes exhaust pops on shutdown as was being discussed recently in another thread. It helps protect your exhaust valves and muffler from damage over time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cee245 827 #11 Posted May 29, 2019 Thanks for the responses guys! The tractor is currently located 3hr away at our camp, so no video or picture today. I didn't know it could fire a little even it's a safety switch. I guess I'm confused on the carb solenoid? Anyone know where its located exactly? Part number so I can look it up? Thanks Cory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,235 #12 Posted May 30, 2019 If it's a kohler command, it's connected to the carb, under the float bowl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,235 #13 Posted May 30, 2019 Two things, the safety switches shut down the electrical, if one is not working you should not be able to turn the engine over, much less have a spark. If you can turn the engine over and it starts with starting fluid then it's probably not a safety switch. Again did it stop suddenly as if you turned off the key, or did it surge and miss some first? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cee245 827 #14 Posted May 30, 2019 @clueless, It shut down suddenly according to my uncle. And yes I am thinking fuel related as it does turn over and only sputters with starting fluid. Cory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 7,208 #15 Posted May 31, 2019 If mowing on a bank and you lean too far the seat switch can shut down the engine. If your not fimular with the tractor, you have to trurn off the PTO before you can start it back. It got me last time I mowed for a minute or two before I realized I had to shut off the PTO before I restarted it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,235 #16 Posted May 31, 2019 15 hours ago, Cee245 said: @clueless, It shut down suddenly according to my uncle. And yes I am thinking fuel related as it does turn over and only sputters with starting fluid. Cory So you got fuel flowing to the carb, and it turns over and you have spark and it sputters on starting fluid. Sounds like a carb problem to me. When you spray starting fluid directly into the carb you bypass the float and the float bowl, if the float is not working then no gas gets to the throat of the carb. The solenoid also stops the flow. Remove the carb, check float for small holes, check needle valve, clean everything make sure your jets are clean. There is away to check the solenoid, but on your engine I don't know how it connected, basically it's just two wires, when it get power it opens a valve, usually you can hear it click. I've probably told you more than you need to know, it's the coffee , but one other thing get a can of carb cleaner and throw that starting fluid away. It will start, or sputter and the carb clean just the same, starting fluid is not good for these engines . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cee245 827 #17 Posted May 31, 2019 Thanks, unfortunately, like I've said before, this is our camp mower so it'll likely be a couple weeks until I can get down there to check it out. I'll update this thread when I can. Appreciate the information and advice. Thanks, Cory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torotractor 0 #18 Posted June 2, 2019 mine did the same thing,took to dealer and found blown fuse to get it to fire no more trouble Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cee245 827 #19 Posted June 2, 2019 Thanks toro, we did check each fuse and they all looked good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,579 #20 Posted June 3, 2019 19 hours ago, Cee245 said: Thanks toro, we did check each fuse and they all looked good. check with a meter, looks can be deceiving eric j Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cee245 827 #21 Posted June 3, 2019 Good point @ericj. I will try that next time I go to camp. Cory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
