Just finished cleaning the carb on my 1999 Sabre. Gasoline was contaminated with water. Will reinstall tomorrow, weather pending. Had to install an in-line gas shut off valve as the crank had filled up with gasoline over one winter. Believe the float valve didn't seal the bowl and the gas ran into the cylinder, then into the crankcase. Hydro locked the engine! Drained and replaced the oil, then removed the spark plug and cranked the engine until all the fluids blew out the plug hole. Returned to normal operation thereafter. The gas tank was full when I winterized the tractor that fall. It was substantially down in the Spring, hence, the repairs above. Had another problem with the engine a few seasons ago. Tractor started to smoke a lot, especially when the crank oil level was high. cause was a blown head gasket. Easy fix. Tractor only uses a quart a season now and no smoke.
Good job on getting 'er going Joe. I'll be making my way through your videos as I find the time. I like your content and you keep the repairs interesting.
That thing actually comes in really handy. Most of the old junk I drag in there has tanks that are pretty rough. I use that to at least eliminate 1 problem. Lol.
@@AverageJoes4u Yeah, I used to use a little gas can for the same thing when first looking over any car I bought that had been sitting for a while. A few minutes of dicking around hooking it up can save so much time over pulling all kinds of crap into the fuel system / carb. Just like the idea of the IV looking set up you have lol.
@@michaelwilson8461 I completely agree. I actually found that thing on Amazon. I think it was like $15. Money well spent. Now I just need an actual IV pole like Mustie uses. Lol
I have an 05 sabre, it has a Kohler engine 17.5. I love it but it started running rough when you engage blades. Unsure if it is ful pump or carb. I bought a new 130 John Deere but I'm going to work on the sabre, it cuts the best, better than the new, bigger J.D.
I had a 130 with a Kohler years ago. That thing was a beast.. I loved it. For some reason, it went through pulleys pretty quick though. Other than that, you couldn't ask for a nicer mower.
Wow, I've never seen a peddle go down that far unless its broken. What made you think it wasn't a Sabre though? All the decals are there. You have a 15HP and I have the 14.5 HP with a 38 inch cut. I just swapped that old carb out for a new one. I always pressure wash anything that comes into the shop prior to taking anything off.
I just wasn't sure if it was a true John Deere or a knockoff. I think you're right about the pedal. Off camera, I went to pull it out of the shop and it wouldn't move. Not sure if it's a clutch issue or belt issue. I pushed it out of the way and haven't gotten back around to it yet.
If the crank case fills with gas--- it is the needle and seat-- the carb sol has nothing to do with it -- I have had factory trained mech tell me I was wrong-- but i am right- it is the needle and seat that causes that--- I have been working on small engines for over 60 years
There is some resistance but if your needle is seating properly, with the float pushed up toward the body of the carb, you should not be able to blow through at all. With the float at rest, or hanging down away from the body, it should allow air (gas) through the carb.
@@AverageJoes4u I've tried adjusting both levers in all directions and cannot blow any air through. I used a tank of old dark gas that caused this. Is there a way to unclog it? I've sprayed brake cleaner into the gas intake. No luck.
@@rscotta831 it sounds like the carb is clogged. Either your needle is stuck in the seat or your jets are dirty. Whichever it is should be an easy fix depending on whether or not you can get the jets out. Make sure you use a screwdriver that fits the jets properly so you don't mess them up. If you mess up the slot in the jet, you're pretty much screwed. If you can, just take the float off, make sure the needle and seat are free and clean. Remove the jets and clean them with carb cleaner, brake cleaner, whatever you have. If you can get that far, it's probably not a bad idea to clean the emulsion tube if you can get it out. I'm not sure what your experience level is when it comes to carbs but if you're like me, the simpler the better. Lol. If all else fails, you can probably get a cheap Chinese carb for that mower for $15 or $20. Those things are hit and miss and that should be your last resort. Hopefully there was something you could use in all that rambling.
@@AverageJoes4u I found a flathead screwdriver that fit and removed the jet all the way out. It was clean. I haven't removed the manifold to get to the float, because in your video, it didn't appear to be a way to take the carb apart to completely clean the inside. Is there a next step to take it apart after removing the jet?
@@rscotta831 it's been a long time since I worked on that one. I believe there are 2 jets that need to come out. In order to clean it properly, it really needs to come off the machine.
I think you're right but it was dragging mostly because that battery was shot. I had the charger set on a 40A charge. Probably should have flipped it up to the 200A boost. It also backfires every time you run it, shut it off, and crank it again. Shoots a flame about a foot out of the side so yeah. I think you're dead on. Valves definitely need some love.
Getting one for free cause I’m helping my neighbor remodel his mother in laws house and I found one in a shed out back of the house looking for some siding and she bought it a yard cart and a bagger and it’s done nothing but sit since it was bought my neighbor was the only one to use it and he said he’s ran it like 3 times
@@AverageJoes4u yeah plan on putting new gas in it plus I’ve got a air compressor there to run a nail gun so I’ll get air in the tires but it’s gonna have to wait cause I just took 2 weeks off work to go three hours away and hang out with some friends
@@AverageJoes4u yeah I mean it’s gonna be nice replacing my cub cadet that’s broke down with the Sabre sadly idk if I can bring myself to get rid of the cub I’m 15 and had that cub cadet mower since I was old enough to sit on the seat and push the forward pedal
Hang on to it man. My grandfather gave me an old Rally when I was 19. I kept that mower for 18 years. I ended up giving it to a friend that needed one and it was still going strong. No reason to part with it if you don't have to.
Just finished cleaning the carb on my 1999 Sabre. Gasoline was contaminated with water. Will reinstall tomorrow, weather pending. Had to install an in-line gas shut off valve as the crank had filled up with gasoline over one winter. Believe the float valve didn't seal the bowl and the gas ran into the cylinder, then into the crankcase. Hydro locked the engine! Drained and replaced the oil, then removed the spark plug and cranked the engine until all the fluids blew out the plug hole. Returned to normal operation thereafter. The gas tank was full when I winterized the tractor that fall. It was substantially down in the Spring, hence, the repairs above.
Had another problem with the engine a few seasons ago. Tractor started to smoke a lot, especially when the crank oil level was high. cause was a blown head gasket. Easy fix. Tractor only uses a quart a season now and no smoke.
That's awesome. I ended up giving the mower to a buddy that needed one. Put a new carb on and it's going strong.
Good job on getting 'er going Joe. I'll be making my way through your videos as I find the time. I like your content and you keep the repairs interesting.
Thank you sir. I appreciate that!
Had a chuckle at the fuel hanging up there. It looked like an IV drip on a patient in intensive care, somehow suiting lol.
That thing actually comes in really handy. Most of the old junk I drag in there has tanks that are pretty rough. I use that to at least eliminate 1 problem. Lol.
@@AverageJoes4u Yeah, I used to use a little gas can for the same thing when first looking over any car I bought that had been sitting for a while. A few minutes of dicking around hooking it up can save so much time over pulling all kinds of crap into the fuel system / carb.
Just like the idea of the IV looking set up you have lol.
@@michaelwilson8461 I completely agree. I actually found that thing on Amazon. I think it was like $15. Money well spent. Now I just need an actual IV pole like Mustie uses. Lol
I can't believe you bought this one.
It was a little rough but it turned out okay. Got my money back out of it.
I've learned a ton from your videos. The heat in my truck is still running strong! Thanks for your help. I'll bring you my mower soon
Awesome! Happy to help. Thanks for watching.
I have an 05 sabre, it has a Kohler engine 17.5. I love it but it started running rough when you engage blades. Unsure if it is ful pump or carb.
I bought a new 130 John Deere but I'm going to work on the sabre, it cuts the best, better than the new, bigger J.D.
I had a 130 with a Kohler years ago. That thing was a beast.. I loved it. For some reason, it went through pulleys pretty quick though. Other than that, you couldn't ask for a nicer mower.
Hey I bought one of them the other day. Can't figure out how to adjust the knob for the blades any suggestions
That one has the lever between your legs to raise and lower the deck. Not sure about the knob. Sorry I couldn't help.
Wow, I've never seen a peddle go down that far unless its broken. What made you think it wasn't a Sabre though? All the decals are there. You have a 15HP and I have the 14.5 HP with a 38 inch cut. I just swapped that old carb out for a new one. I always pressure wash anything that comes into the shop prior to taking anything off.
I just wasn't sure if it was a true John Deere or a knockoff. I think you're right about the pedal. Off camera, I went to pull it out of the shop and it wouldn't move. Not sure if it's a clutch issue or belt issue. I pushed it out of the way and haven't gotten back around to it yet.
I picked one up on market plc too, needs carb work
Yeah. I ordered a new carb for it months ago. Haven't gotten back around to it yet.
How do you repair the repair the rear end
I didn't. I got it running and gave it to a friend who needed one. I'm not sure what happened to it after it left.
If the crank case fills with gas--- it is the needle and seat-- the carb sol has nothing to do with it -- I have had factory trained mech tell me I was wrong-- but i am right- it is the needle and seat that causes that--- I have been working on small engines for over 60 years
I agree. That has certainly been my experience so far.
So just to confirm, when you blew into the gas intake at 13:24, you heard air come out? You had no problem blowing through it?
There is some resistance but if your needle is seating properly, with the float pushed up toward the body of the carb, you should not be able to blow through at all. With the float at rest, or hanging down away from the body, it should allow air (gas) through the carb.
@@AverageJoes4u I've tried adjusting both levers in all directions and cannot blow any air through. I used a tank of old dark gas that caused this. Is there a way to unclog it? I've sprayed brake cleaner into the gas intake. No luck.
@@rscotta831 it sounds like the carb is clogged. Either your needle is stuck in the seat or your jets are dirty. Whichever it is should be an easy fix depending on whether or not you can get the jets out. Make sure you use a screwdriver that fits the jets properly so you don't mess them up. If you mess up the slot in the jet, you're pretty much screwed. If you can, just take the float off, make sure the needle and seat are free and clean. Remove the jets and clean them with carb cleaner, brake cleaner, whatever you have. If you can get that far, it's probably not a bad idea to clean the emulsion tube if you can get it out. I'm not sure what your experience level is when it comes to carbs but if you're like me, the simpler the better. Lol. If all else fails, you can probably get a cheap Chinese carb for that mower for $15 or $20. Those things are hit and miss and that should be your last resort. Hopefully there was something you could use in all that rambling.
@@AverageJoes4u I found a flathead screwdriver that fit and removed the jet all the way out. It was clean. I haven't removed the manifold to get to the float, because in your video, it didn't appear to be a way to take the carb apart to completely clean the inside. Is there a next step to take it apart after removing the jet?
@@rscotta831 it's been a long time since I worked on that one. I believe there are 2 jets that need to come out. In order to clean it properly, it really needs to come off the machine.
I think you need a valve adj. too the way it cranks over.
I think you're right but it was dragging mostly because that battery was shot. I had the charger set on a 40A charge. Probably should have flipped it up to the 200A boost. It also backfires every time you run it, shut it off, and crank it again. Shoots a flame about a foot out of the side so yeah. I think you're dead on. Valves definitely need some love.
@@AverageJoes4u Thanks for the reply. Your videos are great and I will continue to watch.
Thanks man. I really appreciate it.
According to research John Deere did infact make the sabre as a cheaper entry level machine
Interesting. It's all pretty hard to track now.
Getting one for free cause I’m helping my neighbor remodel his mother in laws house and I found one in a shed out back of the house looking for some siding and she bought it a yard cart and a bagger and it’s done nothing but sit since it was bought my neighbor was the only one to use it and he said he’s ran it like 3 times
Nice! Free is always good. Shouldn't take much to get it rolling sounds like.
@@AverageJoes4u yeah plan on putting new gas in it plus I’ve got a air compressor there to run a nail gun so I’ll get air in the tires but it’s gonna have to wait cause I just took 2 weeks off work to go three hours away and hang out with some friends
@@The_rainey_day_farmer nice. You've go something to look forward to when you get back.
@@AverageJoes4u yeah I mean it’s gonna be nice replacing my cub cadet that’s broke down with the Sabre sadly idk if I can bring myself to get rid of the cub I’m 15 and had that cub cadet mower since I was old enough to sit on the seat and push the forward pedal
Hang on to it man. My grandfather gave me an old Rally when I was 19. I kept that mower for 18 years. I ended up giving it to a friend that needed one and it was still going strong. No reason to part with it if you don't have to.
I think sabre is not made by JD but it is made for JD by AYP or MTD
Sounds right. I discovered recently that MTD apparently makes almost everything now.
Correct.
This is manufactured by MTD
I think almost everything is now.
Way this sabre are tu laugh
??