Z125E starting issues

[Gritty]

As a widow, I send in my 2016 Z125E Kabota mower to the dealership for routine maintenance in the Spring. By mid mowing season, it won't start anymore without me using carburetor choke cleaner. I know this is not good for my carburetor. What do I need to ask the dealership to do to correct and prevent this problem from reoccurring this summer? When they bring it back, it'll be working fine, but it will develop the problem again. I really can't afford to send it back and forth---it's $45 bucks for them to transport the mower plus service and parts charges. Any suggestions about what is causing this problem?

 

[tthorkil]

Maybe this thread will help?
https://www.lawnmowerforum.com/showthread.php/47223-SOLVED-Kommander-ZT-Fuel-Problems-sputtering-stalling-etc

 

[lugbolt]

My first thought is that the choke ain't choking. Check throttle cable adjustments. Not uncommon on the briggs powered Kommanders.

 

[Russell King]

Gas is probably an ethanol blend. You live in a state with high humidity. The ethanol in the gas absorbs water as it sits around. If the tank is plastic and only partially full it will get more water through condensation.

The fuel that sits in the carburetor will form a gel like substance and the carburetor will get clogged up/dirty and not work well.

Suggestions are to find a gas station that sells ethanol free fuel. There is a website that will tell you where these stations are.
Buy the ethanol free fuel and treat it with a fuel stabilization product like Stabil. Treat it for storage even when using the mower frequently. Buy smaller quantities of gas so you are using fresh gas as much as possible. If you are not using it within a few weeks it can go into the car tank and then replace the mower fuel with fresh fuel.

Have the carburetor replaced with a new one. There are online carburetor sales that charge around $10-20 for a complete carburetor. They are cheaper than rebuilding the carburetor usually. You can also have the carburetor cleaned but again that may cost more than replacing it. They are fairly easy to replace so you or someone like a neighbor can do that in a few minutes.

There are a few adjustments to make afterwards on the carburetor but they are easily done also.

I have even resorted to putting a fuel cutoff valve near the carburetor and turning that off running it out of fuel in the carburetor every time I am done. I added a primer bulb (like a outboard boat engine has from the gas tank) between the fuel tank and shutoff valve in an easy to get to location.

Next time I use it I turn the valve on and pump fuel into the carburetor so it starts right away and does not crank too long.

These steps may be too much trouble if they can not be gotten to very easily. Mine is a different mower than you have.


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[mikester]

As a widow, I send in my 2016 Z125E Kabota mower to the dealership for routine maintenance in the Spring. By mid mowing season, it won't start anymore without me using carburetor choke cleaner. I know this is not good for my carburetor. What do I need to ask the dealership to do to correct and prevent this problem from reoccurring this summer? When they bring it back, it'll be working fine, but it will develop the problem again. I really can't afford to send it back and forth---it's $45 bucks for them to transport the mower plus service and parts charges. Any suggestions about what is causing this problem?

You should have bought a KUBOTA instead...more reliable

Also avoid cheap gas and/or drain the fuel tank dry and run the machine until empty before storage

Another option is to keep the fuel tank full with ethanol-free gas prior to storage, then make sure to run the engine at least once a month.

A third option is to buy a service manual and learn to clean your own carb.

Some gasolines will form crystals in the carb and plug the jets after sitting unused for a long time. Some guys swear that using magic foo foo dust snake oil stabilizers work for them as well as using stuff like lucas oil, STP, royal purple oil and other junk. I've rarely had issues with the above suggestions.

A fourth option is to go diesel. Knocking on wood - Kubota diesels have been extremely reliable for me. Makes for great after shave lotion, but gasoline tastes better.

 

[nickelplated5s]

What R King said, use non ethanol fuel. That said you might need a new carburetor. You don't even want to know how I start my old, Green, with Briggs mower. I'll be getting a new mower this spring/summer.