JD 316

[Dyock]

I have a JD 316 with a 18H Onan engine. While mowing it loses power and then picks back up. It does this repeatedly. I changed fuel filter a couple of weeks ago, air filter is good. Any idea if this would be a carb problem or electrical?

 

[RLA]

Fuel Pump? Gas Line might have a Pin Hole in it?

 

[Dyock]

Thanks RLA! That gives me a starting point. When I replaced the filter the ends on the fuel line were getting a little rough. Maybe it is the fuel line.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I operated and took care of a 1987 318 for a man who I worked for when I lived in the Twin Cities. I also bought one that I had for 6 years. I liked most everything about that tractor, but the Onan engine was an expensive component of that tractor. I had some problems with it that might be tied to your problems. It was difficult to start after it had set for much more than a day. The carburetor and fuel pump lost prime. John Deere had a "squeeze bulb" that could be installed in line to prime the fuel system. I came across something in the last year that I had that tractor which suggested the fuel lines, as they age, end up becoming hard and allowing some air into the line, thus the fuel line lost its prime. I removed the operator platform and could have changed the fuel lines, when I was working on something else, but did not. I would initially suspect the the fuel lines, which should be relatively inexpensive to replace. The pulse pump (fuel pump) never gave any indication of problems, but it might be the next thing you try. I also had a streak where the engine seemed to be starved of fuel, but choking it slightly, remedied that problem. I removed the carburetor and intake assembly and took it into the John Deere dealer. They rebuilt the carburetor. It ran nicely after that. My wife and daughter like to operate it, as it had the power steering and was very nimble for its size. The Onan was tired and I found a good buy on a 425 AWS. Otherwise I was going to repower it.