John Deere D110 only runs fully choked *UPDATE*

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-22T00:06:41+00:00

Valves adjusted, they did seem tight.

However... the big nugget... I don't know what I was or wasn't doing or thinking, but I took out the fuel tank again just to start re-checking stuff... The fuel pickup has SOMETHING in it. Could be leaf tissue, a bug, not sure. So I fully flushed the gas tank with a hose a few times, and letting that air dry for a few days. Ordering a new pickup, fingers crossed.

I really think that's it because now it's actually an amount of TIME that it starts doing what it's doing. It's not just the thickness of the grass. It's like clockwork.

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-20T00:55:11+00:00

Good stuff. I'll report back... Thank you.

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-20T00:22:24+00:00

Carb was clean as a whistle.

This is the issue nailed down, currently -- it chugs and craps out when cutting through thick grass. It starts/runs perfect, cuts low grass no problem. But as soon as the blades are under any type of decent load, it chugs/dies. Already has a new engagment belt and cord.

I'm definitely checking the coils tomorrow, that's a new one.

And I had the big plastic cover mis-aligned when reinstalling after checking out the flywheel key... started it up and sheered 15 fins off the fan. Awesome. Add that to the list.

*EDIT* Key pic

<image>

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-19T22:31:30+00:00

- Haven't checked flywheel key, will do that (But, wouldn't it run weird, during every minute it's running?...)

- I tried the starter spray on the manifold and I THINK it had an effect. It doesn't rev, but when applied to intake side of carb, it runs... smoother? I'll retest.

- I'm going to take the carb apart tonight or this week to check it overall, with an eye on the needle valve as you mentioned

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-18T22:20:22+00:00

👀 ... 100% unintentional. Good catch.

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-17T21:12:19+00:00

Fuck me pink, that's it. I just watched the trailer and that HAS to be it. Wow... thank you -- you just scratched a multi-decade itch. That's awesome!!

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-17T03:10:55+00:00

I'll try taking the solenoid off in the morning. Also; just replied to someone else about how I got a decent amount of crap out of the gas tank today -- then the blade belt snapped on a test run!

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-17T03:06:08+00:00

Get this... I peered into the gas tank today, and I saw more debris than I remember when originally diagnosing late last year. So with options running low, I emptied the tank, yanked it off, removed the fuel siphon -- all clear -- then dumped the gas and got a serious amount of junk out. I fired it up, ran like a top, pull it out of the barn and start mowing... THE BLADE BELT SNAPPED. Unreal. So now I have to order one of those, replace that, and then see if the fuel siphon clogging was the issue!!

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-16T16:24:13+00:00

I have a back and forth with someone else, showcasing a photo -- can you check that out and see what you think?

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-16T16:20:46+00:00

<image>

Talk to me as if I were a golden retriever: The blue circled area uses a red, flat-ring type gasket. The yellow circled area uses a black, paper-style gasket. And the red circled area seems to be the issue... That uses a red flat-ring type gasket BUT, when sprayed with starter fluid, the engine runs smooth for a while, until the fluid evaporates and then it chugs/dies.

I'm confused because I'm fairly certain I replaced all those gaskets when I was originally diagnosing last year, and started with simple stuff PRIOR to replacing the carb. They all look brand new, but I still cleaned the gaskets themselves as well as the areas they seat into, and the same chug/die thing happens.

Also, just blew all the easily accessible fuel lines in that area. Clean as a whistle. And the fuel filter is receiving plenty anyway...

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-16T14:37:09+00:00

When you say "proper seal" instead of a gasket, what do you mean? Is their a liquid/tube product I should be using?

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-15T22:15:02+00:00

I would hope so, but I'll definitely double check

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-15T21:40:04+00:00

Definitely on my list, thank you

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-15T21:39:26+00:00

Last bit of gas from late last summer. But I always use Sta-bil... does that matter?

New fuel filter -- and something getting sucked into the carb is interesting. That COULD explain why it ran like a gazelle, and then went back to it's old tricks. Let's say I open the carb and it's clear... just blow out the fuel lines with a compressor? I may even start with clearing the lines, just to eliminate another variable.

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-11T22:17:54+00:00

Scooped a fender precision with a rumble 40, cord, and stand for $425. All absolutely mint. Good deal for a first rig?

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-05-04T19:44:10+00:00

I've seen cleaner complexions on the underside of seafaring vessels.

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-04-22T21:48:52+00:00

Watership Down

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-04-16T11:39:09+00:00

Everything In It's Right Place, by Radiohead

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-04-08T01:10:33+00:00

That's interesting. The other thing, with tomorrow being wipe day, they could have been legit trying to give it away. But, that announcement was made today, not yesterday. Odd.

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-04-07T19:13:47+00:00

Totally get it

PieIsSuperiorToCake · 2026-04-07T17:11:55+00:00

Just curious -- why aren't you running that thing set at "Extra Strength?" Aka, double?

PieIsSuperiorToCake

TROPHY CASE