I have a Hustler Z mower, 25 hp, 60 inch deck. Sometimes it will be running fine and all of a sudden the engine will start to die as if it has run out of gas. When it does this it is very hard to get it started again. It takes several minutes to get it started. It blows out a lot of white smoke until it starts, then it blows out some black smoke. Once it starts it runs fine. Sometimes it will run for 2 hours straight with no problems. Other times it may only run for 30 minutes before it cuts off. It only has about 300 hours on it. Any suggestions on what may be causing this?

Hi,
It is usually a relay that operates a safety circuit, but notice that there are multiple models and engine combos by the manuals on this page.
Manuals
Peace,
Clarke

What kind of service have you done to it? Fuel filter ? And I am asuming that is the kaw motor?

Yes, it is the kawasaki engine. I changed the oil and the fuel filter at 200 hrs. I changed the spark plugs when it started giving me problems but that didn't help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crigby

Hi,
It is usually a relay that operates a safety circuit, but notice that there are multiple models and engine combos by the manuals on this page.
Manuals
Peace,
Clarke

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What would cause it to smoke while it is trying to start?

Hi,
With a Kawasaki the answer is the air filter. It is the most sensitive to good air flow in the industry, though plug fouling is common.
Models help!
Peace,
Clarke

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crigby

Hi,
With a Kawasaki the answer is the air filter. It is the most sensitive to good air flow in the industry, though plug fouling is common.
Models help!
Peace,
Clarke

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Hey, The model # of the mower is 927772A, the model # of the engine is FH721V. Thanks for your help.

Hi,
Hustler makes a good product even though their manuals leave a bit to be desired!
I attached the schematic, I think, (that is where Hustler fails mostly) and would point to the orange wire in particular and those two things at the bottom are relays. I doubt it is the diode (the triangle with the bar at the end) since it does not usually fail intermittently) but somrthing is causing one of the relays to trip. It could be a too sensitive seat switch; they can fail and cause some unusual effects on commercial equipment. I have seen that on a number of brands.
Peace,
Clarke