Kawasaki FS481V Motor

[RI Chevy]

Question for anyone who works on these. Motor was running finer for a couple of cuts. Takes me about an hour and 15 minutes to cut my grass. Went to start the mower yesterday, it started and ran only for about 15 seconds then powered down. Starts only for a second or 2 intermittently.
Any ideas on where to start?

Machine is only 3 years old.
Plugs look OK.
Fuel is new.
Oil, oil filter, and fuel filter just changed at beginning of season, about 2 weeks ago.

Will too much oil in crank case affect the vacuum?

I am thinking it may be the vacuum fuel pump.

 

[huskyboy]

Fuel filter good ?

 

[RI Chevy]

Brand new. Mower ran fine for first 2 cuts. Then..... nothing. [emoji17]

 

[huskyboy]

Spark, fuel and compression. Need those 3 things.

 

[huskyboy]

Is the dead man switch good? Could be something else to look into?

 

[RI Chevy]

What is the dead man switch?
Key ignition.

 

[huskyboy]

What is the dead man switch?
Key ignition.

My walk behind exmark I had, had a deadman switch when you let off the handles with blades engaged it would shut off.

 

[RI Chevy]

Ahh. OK. I did not check that. As soon as the rain stops, I will.

 

[Redfin]

I would check your valve clearances.

 

[tickbitintn]

Compression check?
Tight valves will show low compression...

My older JD like to eat up a TDM every couple of years, not sure if this newer version has that though....
(Timing delay module)

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

 

[RI Chevy]

Thanks guys. I will look at those also.

 

[RyeThomas]

It’s easy to check the pulse pump, it’s also easy to get fooled by the fuel filter NOT being full and think you have an issue when you don’t. I’d start by checking the pulse pump, then is the cap vented? If so is it clogged, try to run it with the cap off.

 

[RI Chevy]

Thanks. I did try to run with cap off. Still didn't work.
I was thinking vacuum pump, because it ran, then stopped in the cut. Maybe something ripped inside? I have no idea what they look like inside.
I have one on the way. OEM, no AF. Lol
Thanks for all the tips. [emoji106]

 

[paragonbuilder]

Do you have a spark tester? Does it stop suddenly like you hit the kill switch? Or does it start sputtering

 

[RI Chevy]

Runs then sputters out.

 

[paragonbuilder]

Does your carb have a fuel solenoid?

 

[Lightning Performance]

Does your carb have a fuel solenoid?

There a real pia on brigs twin.

 

[RI Chevy]

I have no idea. Lol
Everything is a first for me with these Kawasaki FS481Vs 14.5hp vtwin. I looked through the manual and I saw no mention whatsoever of a solenoid on carb.

 

[paragonbuilder]

Look at bottom of carb. Does it have a wire going to bottom of carb bowl?

 

[RI Chevy]

No I dont see one. Just a bolt to drain the bowl.