Fuel is pretty essential to start and run your John Deere. However, it can be severely painful to realize that your John Deere is not getting the desired fuel it needs for no apparent reason.
There are various reasons why your lawn mower might not acquire enough fuel. For instance, bad fuel may have fouled and jammed your fuel system producing fuel restrictions in the filter. There may also be issues with the carburetor or even the fuel pump.
So, in this blog post, we’ll let you know all the reasons why the John Deere is not getting fuel and the possible solutions for this.
Reasons John Deere Mower Not Getting Fuel
In this section, our experts have concluded all the possible reasons for the issues regarding the fuel consumption of your John Deere. You’ll also know the possible solutions for this as well.
1. Bad or Non-Functioning Fuel
Long-term fuel sitting causes ethanol and moisture separation that can cause sticky substances to deposit in the fuel system, causing clogs and premature component failure. These failures and blockage prevent your John Deere lawn tractor from getting gas.
Using a diesel-powered John Deere lawnmower will cause the same moisture buildup and clogging, resulting in corrosion difficulties.
Solution:
Drain the petrol tank into any of the containers with a siphon. It must be a gasoline container since plastics can decay fast, which can leak fuel. Set aside your fuel to be recycled at an authorized recycling facility.
Refill your gas tank with a fuel stabilizer. This stabilizer can make the fuel stay stable for several years, which can pretty easily clean the fuel system.
2. Clogged Fuel Filter in Your John Deere
A fuel filter keeps dirt and debris out of the engine and the fuel system. So, if possible, replace your gasoline filter at least once a year. If this fuel filter isn’t replaced regularly, it may become clogged and stop filtering fuel which can be severe bad news for your John Deere.
Solution:
Replace your gasoline filter if it’s clogged. When replacing the plastic filter, always follow the arrow. Install the new filter with your arrow pointing straight in the fuel flow direction.
3. Clogs in Fuel Line of Your John Deere
Sticky residues from old fuel may clog your fuel lines. A fuel line blockage prevents the John Deere from getting gas. To locate a blockage in a gasoline line, inspect each part to find the culprit.
Solution:
Use the gasoline shut-off valve at the very bottom of the John Deere fuel tank to control fuel flow. Hose pinch-off pliers can be used to stop the flow. Start and stop the flow of each hose part to determine if the fuel is still coming out.
Remove the blocked hose portion from John Deere mower. You can also use carburetor cleaning to help unclog the hose. Compress the line to remove it. Repeat the entire procedure until the obstruction is dislodged. If you can’t unclog the line, then it’s time to replace it.
4. John Deere Lawn Mower Fuel Pump Issues
A John Deere will require fuel pump when the carburetor is higher than the fuel tank. The pump must overcome gravity to give fuel to the carburetor. Most lawn mowers usually use a suction pump. This suction pump generally uses the crankcase pressure to pump fuel.
If your fuel pump fractures or stops working properly, it must be replaced. If you don’t observe any physical cracks or fuel leaks, you must troubleshoot your fuel pump.
Solution:
Before checking your fuel pump, ensure it’s getting fuel. If you properly examined the gasoline lines and your filter for obstructions, you may have already accomplished this step.
Turn off your fuel immediately and remove the gasoline line from the mower fuel pump’s input.
After that, restart the fuel flow by placing the line in the container below the lawnmower fuel tank. The fuel flow is confirmed when fuel exits the line and enters the container. However, if it doesn’t, then check the fuel filter for a clog.
Reconnect the fuel line to the inlet port once the fuel pump works. After that, remove the carburetor’s fuel line and store it. Start your fuel flow and your mower to test your pump. However, you must ensure your fuel line has a continuous or pulsing fuel flow. If not, replace the fuel pump.
5. Dirty John Deere Carburetor
A carburetor controls the amount of air and fuel required for combustion in an engine. When the carburetor is dirty, especially the fuel jet, your John Deere cannot get the air and fuel it needs to run.
Solution:
Determine if you need to disassemble your carburetor to clean it. Then remove the air filter from the lawnmower and clean the entire system. Afterward, test your engine by starting it. If your lawnmower starts with starter fluid but won’t run, you’ll need to clean the carburetor.
6. John Deere Fuel Cap Spark Plug
The use of the fuel cap is to vent the air through. The fuel tank acts like a vacuum without a vent, preventing fuel flow. So, you can isolate the cap issue by operating your mower with and without the fuel cap to see if the issue goes away. Reinstall the fuel cap and let the mower run for a time to see if the problem returns.
Solution:
In order to avoid recurring issues, we strongly recommend replacing a blocked vent fuel cap. However, you can always clean and unclog it.
How Can You Know if Your John Deere Fuel Pump is Bad?
A John Deere fuel pump sensor regulates fuel flow inside your lawn mower’s carburetor. So, if your lawnmower sensor isn’t working accordingly, there are chances the engine may backfire and also shut off. The sensor check requires no electronic gear, and the time it takes around 15 minutes. Therefore, you’ll know whether your pump has to be changed soon or not. Here’s how you do it.
1. Use your John Deere lawnmower on level grounds.
2. Fill the lawnmower tank with fuel if it is empty.
3. Move the pan under the engine.
4. Open the hood and then locate the rubber line that’s placed on the engine. Follow it to the engine’s carburetor. Unplug the pins and wires from the line.
5. Attach an alligator clip to the positive terminal of the battery. After that, connect the other clip to the other terminal of the battery.
6. After you are done, pour the fuel into the pan. Take a look if the fuel is coming out or not. You should notice the pump working well if the fuel pumps out quickly. If it drips, the pump has to be changed immediately.
FAQ
1. Why Can’t You Get Your Fuel to the Carburetor?
If the fuel filter is clogged or even the carburetor inlet of the needle gets jammed, all you need to do is remove the carburetor fuel line and check the fuel filter. However, if not, cut the fuel line before the filter inlet.
2. Why is Your John Deere Not Getting Enough Gas?
One of the significant reasons for this can be your John Deere fuel line is clogged. Your John Deere won’t get fuel if there’s any blockage in the lawnmower’s fuel line. So, the best solution here is to use the fuel shut-off valve at the bottom of the fuel tank to control fuel flow. Hose pinch-off pliers can also be used to stop the flow.
3. Why Does Your John Deere Not Start After Running?
A clogged air filter, a dirty carburetor, or even a damaged battery can cause a John Deere lawn mower not to start. A bad charging system or even an ignition coil may contribute a lot to this issue.
External lawnmower problem-solving article we have already discussed at howtofixup –
John Deere Lawn Mower Blades Will Not Engage [3 Easy Solutions]
Husqvarna Riding Mower Blades Won’t Engage
Why is My Lawn Mower Blowing White Smoke?
Bottom Line
So, if the John Deere mower is not getting fuel, then some technical issues may be causing this issue. However, to help you with this, our experts have elaborated on the problems and solutions. So, if you carry out these solutions, then you can indeed get your lawnmower back on working.
There is a selenoid on some John Deere smaller tractors that is located on the carburator. When this selenoid malfunctions it will not open the inlet fuel to the carburator. To solve this problem, replace the selenoid with a threaded plug as the selonoid is not needed. In some situations a shut-off valve can be installed to shut off the gas but this valve is not needed.
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate your input and will keep it in mind for future reference. While I did not specifically mention the selenoid you mentioned in my article, I can see how it could be a helpful piece of information for those who are experiencing similar issues. Thank you again for your contribution.