• Hello there guest and Welcome to The #1 Classic Mustang forum!
    To gain full access you must Register. Registration is free and it takes only a few moments to complete.
    Already a member? Login here then!

Lawnmower problems

Midlife

Midlife

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Donator
Last weekend, the lawnmower had a hiccup: it started to die, but never did, and recovered within a few more feet of propulsion.

This weekend, about halfway through the front yard, it sputtered and died. I could start it up again, and then it would die in about 3-4 seconds. I turn it half-way over to look underneath (to see if something was jammed---it wasn't) and then tried again. It started up and continued for the rest of the front yard. I figured maybe something was clogging the fuel pickup line. I started on the back, and after two passes along the fence, it sputtered and died. By bouncing the mower up and down, I could get it to run correctly, but briefly. I took off the air cleaner housing (air filter reasonably clean), started it up, and put my hand over the air intake. Lo and behold...the damn machine ran fine until I took my hand away and then sputtered and died.

I said F-it, and loaded it up in the minivan to take to the small engine dealer. I'm thinking how could choking the air input cause the engine to rev up and run right? An air leak? How does that explain what happened earlier? I dunno...the guy at the engine shop believes the carb is dirty (my first guess).

Disassembling a small engine to get at the carb on this LawnSnapper self-propelled looked difficult, and it would be worth the $50 to have someone knowledgeable fix it...

Given the symptoms, what do you think is wrong?
 
A friend ran some sea foam threw his. Smoked like crazy for a few minutes. Haven't had a problem since.
 
Trash in the carb. It's either in the bowl or one of the internal ports partially clogged. Based on your description and "cure" it sounds like it was running lean. By putting your hand over it was like choking it, hence causing it to run richer (more fuel). Just a guess, but I usually fix all my own small engines. The really good small engine repair place here is just that, REALLY good. Unfortunately they're REALLY expensive too!

BTW Randy, if you just recently took it out of storage and there was fuel left in it (without a stabilizer), ethanol fuel is notorious for separating in storage. A jelly like sludge that settles at the bottom of the remaining liquid forms and causes the same type of problem....e.g. IT is the trash in the carb (residing on the fuel bowl).
 
Maybe if you treated it a little better it wouldn't crap out on you mid mow ;)

moe-robot-lawn-mowing-sheep.jpg
 
After the replies from you two I went back a re-read Randy's original post.....with sheep in mind instead of a small engine. OMG!! It's hilarious because a sheep fits the story better than a small engine!!!! ROFL
 
This was the third gas tank this year, and I always use ethanol free gas. For winterizing, I run the mower until it runs out of gas.

And yes, I have to use a mower, since the sheep don't like to eat the weeds.
 
The self propelled mower is not designed to pull you around on your shop stool. Sounds like a case of overload....or bad carb as mentioned. Sometimes easier and cheaper to just replace the carb vs cleaning it. The rider I have runs $25 more for the carb vs a kit....then additional labor.
 
there's plaque in the fuel line from too much red meat.
 
Got a call at 10AM this morning, the lawnmower is ready. $57.51. I will pick it up on Friday.
 
"Midlife" said:
Got a call at 10AM this morning, the lawnmower is ready. $57.51. I will pick it up on Friday.
Click to expand...

breakdown of charges:

teeth cleaning= $15.00
deworming fuel system=$20.00
shaving callouses from "exhaust pipe"=$10.00
replacement knee pads= $12.51
having fun at randy's expense= PRICELESS!!
 
"SELLERSRODSHOP" said:
breakdown of charges:

teeth cleaning= $15.00
deworming fuel system=$20.00
shaving callouses from "exhaust pipe"=$10.00
replacement knee pads= $10.00
having fun at randy's expense= PRICELESS!!
Click to expand...

Fixed. He had a 20% off coupon from Harbor Freight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top