[millstonedeere]

Hi, I have a used (less than 10 hours) 115 that starts up but idles very rough. I can't even bring it down to the turtle (slow) setting without it stalling. Last week I changed the fuel filter from the small inline filter to the larger see through filter. I noticed that the filter was not really filling with gas (is it supposed to fill up?). The gas seems to barely trickle through while idling on fast (rabbit). I went ahead and checked the fuel line up to the fuel pump and everything seems clear of blockage. I did notice that the fuel filter has a few pieces of debris in it already (I have not mowed since replacing the filter). This tells me there is debris in the gas tank and potentially debris in the fuel line past the fuel pump which could be causing my rough idle and stalling. Looking for recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[ddelle338]

Remove and clean the fuel bowl. Check clean and blow out the jets. If you have junk in the tank, you need to get it out. I'd Drain and remove the tank. Blow it out with compressed air. Then I'd remove inspect and maybe/probably replace the fuel lines with the good stuff.
I had so many problems with stuff in my gas tank I thought I'd go nuts trying to figure out where it was coming from. After doing all I suggested here, I installed two filters. And finally stopped getting the stuff all the way to the carb. I got it stopped in the filters.
I later found out that the metal jerry-can that I was using had rust in the top of it. You couldn't see any while looking in the can. It never laid on the bottom, but when I tipped the can to pour the gas it got washed into the tank.

 

[MXZRXP]

delle is right on-

a larger fuel filter as not needed as they do NOT fill all the way up, but a clear one is a good idea.

if there is already crap in the new filter then there is crap in the carb and it is causing your idle problems (common btw)

if the specks are black, likely they are rubber and caused by ethanol errosion... is there ethanol in the gas??

remove the carb soak and clean it, problem will go away... (might be worth a carb kit if it is out anyway)

to keep it away, remove and clean tank, replace fuel lines and add a new filter, a lot easier than it sounds, maybe 2-3 hours tops! but to do just one part will not fix the problem... the good news, it is not deadly...:trink40: but pouring in seafoam etc. will only be a waste of $$$

 

[millstonedeere]

thanks for the replies! the specks are black, and they almost dissolve like dirt when i rub a speck between my fingers. i thought it was just grime in the gas tank, but i will go ahead and replace the gas line. i noticed my gas tank has a lot of grime in it. i removed the tank and attempted to drain it, but i couldnt' get all the gas and grime out. i was tempted to spray the inside of the tank with water to try and stir everything up and drain, but i wanted to check here to see what the proper procedure was for cleaning a gas tank and getting all the grime out.

regarding gasoline with ethanol. i am not sure if it had ethanol, and further didn't know this was a problem. should i only get gas for the deere from stations that do not mix ethanol into the fuel?

thanks!