Lo Boy 154 vapor lock (?)

[cdon]

just joined the cub family. Enjoy this forum very much. First time out my 154 appeared to get a case of vapor lock. Very hot day here in North Florida, high grass, new operator cutting too low, etc. I was working the little tractor pretty hard. While mowing I could once in a while smell gasoline vapors but was not sure of the source.

tractor lost power, stuttered and finally shut off. would not start. While it was not running, I could hear a burble sound from fuel tank. Took the cap off and could see what I would describe as fuel percolating in the tank. Overheated fuel tank was my guess.

After about 15 minutes of sitting still, I tried to start it again and used a bit of choke. It started up and I ran it home (non under much load, and without the blades engaged) all the way home. Has not repeated this behavior, but then again I have not worked it as hard as I did that first time out.

Was this vapor lock (?) Steel line to carb has been replaced by a previous owner with rubber fuel hose, BTW. Anything to be worried about. Tractor seems to run fine otherwise.

[Eugene]

Was this vapor lock (?)

Quite probable. Gasoline starts to boil/vaporize at 100 degrees F.

Steel line to carb has been replaced by a previous owner with rubber fuel hose. Anything to be worried about.

This is a debatable topic. Some folks believe rubber fuel line is a fire hazard. Others have used rubber fuel line for years without a problem.

[outdoors4evr]

Might want to make sure the front of the radiator is not blocked with grass, seeds, etc. from mowing the tall weeds. Also, verify that the antifreeze / coolant is above the cooling fins of the radiator. If there isn't enough in there then the coolant won't circulate.

Also, make sure that your gas tank vent is not blocked. The tractor could have been starving for fuel due to a vacuum built up in the tank.

Lastly, run it again. If it dies again and then starts up after it cools down, then you might need to replace the coil.