A customer brought his John Deere LA130 for a front to back checkup and a few repairs.

Let's look over this John Deere LA series lawn tractor that my customer purchased. We will adjust the valves, replace the blades, check the deck spindles, and see why the battery was going dead. (parasitic draw test)
A customer John Deere LA130 riding mower in for a front to back checkup and some quick repairs.
#LA130 #John Deere #riding mower #LA series
Check out dozens of my videos here -- / hd883dd
Come hang out with me in my garage working on mowers blowers dirtbikes and motorcycles. Small engine repairs galore!

[@1956chip]

Thanks for the great video. Bought a new one of these (JD LA130 48in mower) in May 2007 and am still very pleased with it, has served me well for 17 yrs (so far at 476 on the Hour Meter). Oil/Filter/Air filter change every spring and I do always add fuel stabilizer. I do 3 acres. I have been very lucky with mine so far (only issue is of course, the seat has started to crack in 2 spots). Yes, I would buy this again.

[@markread7333]

You mentioned early on that there was significant oil leakage, but I didn’t see you check the head gasket. Seems to me that would be a likely source, and since you did the valve adjustment, you were 3/4 there anyway…??

[@len4338]

That was an awesome lesson !!! ,,,,, checking for a parasitic drain !!! I would have no idea where to start if someone asked,,,,,, no one has ever asked me but I have often wondered while watching repair videos. So now I know and thanks for another great video and explanation.

[@randomwrenching]

Thanks for watching as usual Len. This video is a day late, it's been an absolute nut house here with repairs on mowers and motorcycles!

[@jimamccracken5783]

Great clear video. I like your relaxed way of doing things. I see a man who loves what he does mechanic work. also saying hello from West Virginia.

[@randomwrenching]

Thanks Jim, and hello back from Southern Ontario.

[@kwdeluca437]

What did you find out about the hour meter?

[@neverl8630]

Wow, your good with tractor small engines. I wish i could borrow you for a week while im going around looking at older used mowers. Im looking at a LA130 like this one today. Now i know more of what to look for with it. So far ive learned (from youtube) to stay away from Kohler Courage engines, single cylinder engines and anything MTD. Preference on John Deere & Husqvarna.

[@steveriggenbach90]

Great video and subject matter. You can even have a draw from crude on top of battery. I check for high resistance cables and dirty cables/posts. Does it make a difference meter between pos or neg?

[@randomwrenching]

Dampness on the top of the battery is also a problem, but not usually enough to drain a battery in a day. Dirty cables and posts create a high resistance, but usually won't cause a draw on their own.

[@hdman97]

Very good nice unit a little muddy but nice LOL

[@randomwrenching]

I do like the LA series from John Deere. In my opinion, they may be the last of the really good homeowner riders from JD

[@judgeguilty]

When a parasitic drain is present, is there a typical component or area of the fault?

[@randomwrenching]

Usually, if I do find a draw, it's moisture in the ignition switch. It's rare, but it happens once in a while

[@Paul-bo6zu]

So I have a JD E130 22HP Briggs, the left spark plug in burning white like a new plug and the right one is light tan, your thoughts on this? 30 hours on engine

[@randomwrenching]

That doesn't seem to be a problem really. I'd be more concerned if one was clean and one was really black. As long as it runs the way it should. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[@steveriggenbach90]

Ken’s small engines video, he recommended leaving deck belt guards off for easier cleaning. I wouldn’t. I have inserted a small piece of pex tubing then inserted bolts through. Gives just a small crack for leaf blower air. Never have had any issues.

[@randomwrenching]

I don't lean either way on the guards. If they are on the deck, fine. But I wouldn't bother replacing missing ones unless requested by the customer.

[@steveriggenbach90]

@@randomwrenching i was told that they can be belt guides. That’s what I was referring to.

[@randomwrenching]

@@steveriggenbach90 True, some of those guards do act as belt retainers so they dont fly off

[@steveriggenbach90]

How do you handle stripped holes? I have ….Allen hd 12-24 for stihl , plastic trimmer line also a copper strand from an electrical cable, etc.

[@randomwrenching]

Depends on the application, I usually heli-coil stripped threads

[@steveriggenbach90]

@@randomwrenching that’s something I have to invest in for sure. Thanks and take care.

[@steveriggenbach90]

@@randomwrenching very sorry, but just adding… been lucky so far. Done on my own old stuff or to help someone out. Yours is the best way.

[@randomwrenching]

@@steveriggenbach90 There's absolutely nothing wrong with using what you have available Steve. If it works for you, go for it! 😎👍

[@steveriggenbach90]

I’ve never heard that about the valves. Exhaust/tight. Intake/loose. Why is that? Thanks

[@randomwrenching]

These do tend to both wear loose on I and E. On some other engines, the exhaust valves start to wear into the seats and lose their clearance. Mostly motorcycles.

[@steveriggenbach90]

@@randomwrenching thanks, new thing to study. Enjoy it a lot. Take care.

[@randomwrenching]

@@steveriggenbach90 It was definitely a great question!

[@darrelldubree9658]

Good day, sir :) What brand lift is that you are using ?

[@randomwrenching]

It's a Pro Point sold at Princess Auto stores here in Canada. I have a video on it.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXSmcmidZZpgatU

[@jerryhibbard6508]

I am Jerry I am looking at getting into lawn mower repair what do you suggest someone jest starting out

[@randomwrenching]

Hard to give a starting point when I don't know your skill set. But pick up something cheap and mess with it till it's perfect. Push mowers sell for OK money. There's lots to be learned by getting it done and admiring your handiwork on a freshly fixed machine. Try to stay away from the cheap 2stroke stuff at first. You'll sink more time and money into them than you can sell them for.