Regent backfiring

[MPH]

The choke "trick" works on my engine too. That's why I suspect the throttle plate may not be closing fully. I'd be afraid to use the choke "trick" regularly. The cylinder walls get washed down. Dry cylinders walls have to be hard on the engine the next time it's started. If you use the choke "trick", add some top oil to the fuel. When truck manufacturers were struggling to meet emmission standards some installed actuators on the throttle. The plate would be cracked open when ignition was on, and would shut tight when ignition switch was turned off.

[JeffNemes]

If you read your manual they recommnend shutting down at 1/2-3/4 throttle. If you look at the bottom of the carb bowl there is what we call a "fuel shut-off solenoid" that blocks off the fuel flow with a plunger type switch. You can hear it "click" when you turn the key to the "run" position. Try it and see what happens. Hopping off the seat before the engine has stopped activates a safety switch that kills the engine directly without first turning shutting off the fuel - bango! As suggested - turn off blades, then lock brake to get off and leave it running for a quick "pit stop".

[Guest]

I have a 2000 Regent 15 hp with a 38" deck. Everything works well and I like the tractor, but it has one annoying problem. When I shut the tractor off after mowing, it will backfire about 2-3 seconds after switching off the key. I do not shut it down at wide open throttle, I usually idle it down. Sometimes it will not backfire if I let it idle for a minute or two first. The backfire is especially bad if I happen to get off the tractor while running (seat switch) to move something out of my way. What gives? None of my other small engines do this when I shut them down.

[powermax_paul]

I know exactly what you mean, and it is annoying. It may not be "backfire" but rather an "after burn". Does your engine run "backwards" when you shut it down..? I suspect the problem is due to engine manufacturers' attempts to meet new emmission standards (hotter running, timing, carburetion, etc.). You are already doing what I do, let idle and cool off before shutting down. The only other things I have done is adjust to lowest possible idle and make sure throttle plate closes fully. My tractor is also used for stationary power (vacuum, generator, pump, mixer, etc.), so I had to solve the problem of the seat switch. I suspect you can figure out how I did that.

[BradW]

When you have to get off to move something, set the parking brake and it will stay running, for the "after fire" which I also experienced on my 2000 Regent, you need to set the parking brake, and let it idle for 3-5 minutes and shut it off, I do this not only to stop the after fire, but when you let the motor idle for a few minutes before shutting it off it helps with cooling the motor down, sometimes if it is very hot outside, I leave the hood up since it is closed while mowing, that way when I shut it off in the garage, I lift the hood and the motor cools down, I learned most of these tips from Kohler motor company when I also inquired about the same problem you have, good luck,-BradW

[Brent_Baumer]

Choking it when you shut it off will stop the problem. Don't know if this is harmful over the long run but it has not hurt one of my tractors thus far. This was discussed before and no-one could say it was bad for the engine but I know it works. Letting idle for a long time also usually works if you don't mind waiting. Brent[A href='http://www.simpletractors.com/clubhouse/ShowMessage.asp?MsgID=3543&mode=short&startwith=0']http://www.simpletractors.com/clubhouse/ShowMessage.asp?MsgID=3543&mode=short&startwith=0[/a]

[MPH]

Letting it idle after pulling is best for the engine cuz it cools "evenly", think the only draw-back to choking it down would be that extra gas in the chamber running down past the rings while it sits and getting your oil. MPH

[MarcM]

Waren, I have a 2001 Regent 15 HP Kohler. I shut the engine off at full throttle. This prevents the backfire. Mine backfires when I shut it off at idle or slow speeds.