John deere,L108 stalls when get hot and starts smoking and stalls

8 years ago

I have a John deere L108 with a 18.5 briggs,and stratton problem is it will start but once it warms up and I mow a few strips it gets hot and stalls let it set and then start but,it will not stay running? Help please about to pull my hair,out

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Comments (7)

wprice23
8 years ago
Make sure vent in gas cap is not plugged would be first thing to check.
Julie Cantrell
Original Author
8 years ago
We check that first thing!! Thank you any other ideas? This was my father mower and he just past away and we are trying to figure out what is wrong with!! Any help is appreciated
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Before we start guessing, you need to do the tests suggested by Walt. It is not unheard of for a magneto (coil) to become weak and not be able to fire off a spark when conditions inside the cylinder change. So, a check for presence of spark should be done when the engine dies. This kind of test is more meaningful if the genuine Briggs spark tester is used because that tool allows the spark plug to remain in the head and thus the effects of Combustion pressure and cylinder temperature can still influence the "sparkability" of the coil. Simply checking for spark by laying a plug out on the engine does not allow for those influences. But you still need to check for spark any way you can when it dies. Temperature changes and the effect of increased compression pressures can literally suppress a spark from ocurring in a warm engine. Applying some choke will have a direct effect on the compression pressures in an engine (make them lower) and that could be why the engine is "smothering down". Another thing that could cause the engine to die out is starving for fuel. If it is dying due to lack of fuel, you can determine that by spraying a short burst of spray carb cleaner into the carburetor throat as soon as the engine dies. If the engine tries to run strong for a second or 2 and dies again, there is a fuel delivery problem. If it is from too little fuel, pulling the choke will keep it running because the choke is reducing the volume of air that can mix with the insufficient fuel volume. The engine might not die with the choke pulled, but it will not make much power either. Another thing that could be killing this engine is an exhaust valve that is too tight (too little clearance). if this were the case, when the valve heated up, it would not seat completely and compression would be lost out the exhaust, resulting in the engine losing RPM and power. This is why you need to check compression when it dies.
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wprice23
8 years ago
If the spark plug was old, I would just try putting in a new one as they are not expensive. If that doesn't fix, then need to check for spark when it gets hot and quits. No spark when hot would indicate a bad ignition module.
daft_punk
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
It gets hot, smokes, and stalls? Sounds like your mower is overheating.

These motors are air-cooled. Air is drawn up through the cooling fins by the flywheel fan. If the fins or fan are clogged, the motor will eventually overheat.

Take a look through the flywheel cover (it's the perforated disc that spins on top of the motor). You should be able to see the flywheel fins below it. If it's full of grass or other debris, you'll need to remove the cover (usually four screws) and clean it out.

The motor sits below the flywheel. You'll need to check the cooling fins on that, as well. It's best to remove the cowling (the plastic engine cover) to inspect the cooling fins properly. It might be easier to remove the air filter first. Once it's off, clean grass and other debris with a wire coathanger.

If the grass and leaves look really packed in, a field mouse may have taken residence in your mower. They prefer building nests in confined spaces. If you merely clean out the nest, it may come back. So hang some mothballs near the base of the engine away from moving or hot parts. Mice don't like the smell.

Otherwise, leave the hood open when you're not mowing. Mr. and Mrs. Mouse won't like the lack of privacy.

Good luck !
Julie Cantrell
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you very much I so appreciate your I will try these things when ever it stops raining here!
Larry Raper
8 years ago
My brother has worked on small engines professionally for years. He says gasoline with ethanol (ie the stuff you usually get at gas station) can lead to vapor lock. Not always easy to find pure gasoline, but could be helpful.
tinkerer200
8 years ago

what would be a big help to me is WHAT 18.5 engine you have, model number, since there are more than one and they are vastly different.

Walt Conner

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John deere,L108 stalls when get hot and starts smoking and stalls

Comments (7)

wprice23

Julie Cantrell
Original Author

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John deere,L108 stalls when get hot and starts smoking and stalls

Comments (7)

wprice23

Julie CantrellOriginal Author

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wprice23

daft_punk

Julie CantrellOriginal Author

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Julie Cantrell
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