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John Deere LX266 Troubleshooting

The John Deere LX266 is a LX200 series lawn tractor. This model was manufactured from 2001 to 2003. The John Deere LX266 driveline includes a Kohler Command CV460S 4-cycle single cylinder air-cooled gasoline engine and Tuff Torq K62 belt-driven hydrostatic transmission with infinite forward and reverse gears.

A 29.9 cubic inches (490 cc) engine has a cylinder bore of 3.43" (87 mm), piston stroke of 3.03" (77 mm), and rated power of 16 hp (11.9 kW). The maximum forward speed - 5.5 mph (8.8 kph), max. reverse speed - 3 mph (4.8 kph). The John Deere LX266 was equipped with a manual steering system, internal wet disc brakes, 15x6.00-6 front tires, and 20x10.00-8 rear tires. The wheelbase is 47.5" (1200 mm).

The tractor is compatible with the following attachments: a 42" mid-mount 2-blade mower deck with cutting height of 1.0-4.0 in (25-102 mm) and manual lift system, 48" mid-mount 3-blade mower deck with cutting height of 1.0-4.0 in (25-102 mm), 13 cut adjustments, and mechanical lift system, 42" front-mount single-stage snowblower, or 42" front-mount blade.

Engine Troubleshooting
Engine doesn't start or difficult to start
No fuel in fuel tank - Fill fuel up
Improper fuel grade - Use quality fuel
Dirt and debris in fuel system - Remove debris and dirt
Defective spark plug wire connection - Check spark plug wiring connection, repair or change
Spark plug is damaged - Replace spark plug
Plugged fuel filter - Fuel filter needs changing
Defective safety switch - Replace if required
Carburetor components worn out - Repair or replace parts
Bad engine compression - Inspect cylinder block and replace worn components
Damaged or not adjusted choke cable - Adjust properly or change the cable
Engine runs irregularly
Cooling fins are plugged - Need to clean or wash
Ignition failure - Test ignition and replace failed parts
Stuck or defective throttle cable - Service or replace the cable
Air filter element is plugged - Replace or service air filter
Fuel pump is clogged or faulty - Check fuel pump and change if required
Engine starts and immediately shuts off
Spark plug is faulty - Spark plug need to be replaced
Carburetor is defective or dirty - Service or change carburetor
Ignition coil is damaged - Replace ignition coil as necessary
Broken or loose valve springs - Valve springs need to be changed
Valves are stuck - Clean the valves
Engine keeps overheating
Engine oil level is low - Check oil level and add oil as required
Engine is under excessive load - Load reducing is recommended
Cooling fins are blocked - Wash or clean as required
Carburetor mixture is too lean - Set the carburetor properly
Incorrect ignition timing - Set the ignition timing properly
Improper valve setting - Adjust valves as required
Abnormal engine knocking or noise
Low octane gasoline - Change fuel
Engine is under excessive load - Load reducing required
Engine oil insufficient - Fill up the oil to required level
Incorrect low idle setting - Correct the settings
Fuel pump is damaged or dirty - Test fuel pump and change if necessary
Main bearings or crankshaft are worn out - Have bearings or crankshaft replaced
Valve clearance is not correct - Check and adjust
Damaged cylinder bore or piston rings - Change defective parts
Engine lacks power
Carburetor is improperly adjusted or dirty - Adjust the carburetor correctly or clean it
Plugged air filter - Service or change air filter
Dirty or damaged fuel pump - Service or change fuel pump
Ignition system malfunction - Test ignition and replace failed parts
Defective cylinder head gasket - Replace the head gasket
Valves are stuck or burned - Service or change valves
Worn or defective push rod - Change push rod
Cylinder block components are damaged - Defective parts need to be replaced
Excessive fuel consumption
Insufficient throttle opening - Adjust or replace throttle cable
Improper adjustment of carburetor main jet - Adjust main jet as required
Loose or defective spark plug - Change or re-tighten spark plug
Burned, worn, or stuck valves - Replace or service valves
Piston, sleeve, or rings are damaged - Replace defective parts as required
Excessive valve clearance - Check and adjust
High oil consumption
Seals or gaskets are defective - Replace defective parts
Valve guides and stems are worn - Replace defective valves
Worn or stuck piston rings - Change piston rings
Scored piston or cylinder liner - Inspect liner and piston, change as necessary
Plugged breather pipe or hose - Service or replace


Hydrostatic Transmission Troubleshooting
Hydrostatic transmission makes noise
Speed control linkage is worn or unadjusted - Adjust or repair linkage
Excessive loading - The load should be reduced
Contaminated transmission fluid or low fluid level - Pour fresh fluid or add transmission fluid to proper level
Transmission components are damaged or worn - Replace or repair defective components
Shifting is hard
Damaged or loose shift linkage - Change or repair linkage
Blocked or faulty hydrostatic pump - Change or repair pump
Worn or misadjusted transmission shift control parts - Adjust correctly or replace
Low power
Insufficient transmission fluid - Fill the transmission housing to proper fluid level
Drive pulley is defective or worn - Replace pulley
Broken or not adjusted shift linkage - Replace or adjust linkage
Defective or not adjusted speed control pedal linkage - Replace or adjust linkage
Transmission leakage
Damaged transmission seals or gaskets - Install new gaskets or seals
Final drive shaft leaks - Shaft seals need to be changed
Transmission housing is cracked - Install a new transmission housing

Mower Deck Troubleshooting
Mower vibrates too much
Mower deck drive pulley is worn or dirty - Clean or change pulley
Damaged or loose drive belt - Replace belt or adjust belt tension
Unbalanced or warped mower blades - Balance blades or replace it
Loose blade bolts tightening - Bolts should be tightened
Constant clogging of discharge chute
High ground speed - Need to slow down
Grass is too high - Must be set to low cutting height
Engine is running at too low speed - Choke is not fully opening
Cutting level is too low - Change cutting height adjustment
Mower drive belt installation is improper - Drive belt must be installed correctly
Streaking of uncut grass
Cutting deck clogging - Clean mower deck as required
Blades are too dull - Need a blade sharpening
Damaged or worn blades - Replace the blades
Ground speed is too fast - Need to slow down
Cutting height is too low - Adjust mower to higher cutting height
Filled bagger - Remove grass from bagger
Blades scalp the grass
Lawn is not level or bumpy - Level the lawn
Mower cuts too low - Change cutting height adjustment
Mowing speed is too high - Need to slow down
Mower deck is not leveled properly - Deck needs to be adjusted properly
Blades are worn or bent - Blades need to be replaced
Tires are not correctly inflated - Correct tire pressure
Uneven cutting
Low tire pressure - Correct tire pressure
Deck level is not correct - Level the deck correctly
Blades are not sharp - Need a blade sharpening
Blades are worn or damaged - Change the blades
Mower deck is clogged - Mower deck needs to be cleaned
Damaged mower deck shell - Repair or replace the deck
Mower spindle is faulty or loose - Change or repair the spindle

Electrical Troubleshooting
Battery is not charging
Loose or corroded electrical wiring connections - Tighten or service connections
Defective electrical terminal connectors - Terminal connectors should be replaced
Battery bad cell - Battery change required
Starter cranks slow
Low battery output - Recharge the battery
Battery will not hold charge - Service battery or change it
Disconnected battery cables or bad terminals - Check cable connections and change or clean terminals
Starter doesn't crank
Battery is low or faulty - Battery needs to be recharged or replaced
Wiring is incorrectly connected or disconnected - Inspect wiring and connect correctly
Low battery capacity - Charge the battery
Incorrectly gapped or worn spark plug - Clean, gap or change spark plug
Defective solenoid or starter motor - Repair starter or replace solenoid

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