Bad gas?

[buckeyefarmer]

I have same engine on my husq. Yesterday, it started shutting off like it was out of gas, but had fresh gas bought the night before.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I have same engine on my husq. Yesterday, it started shutting off like it was out of gas, but had fresh gas bought the night before.

One quirk these tractors have, if you mow in hot weather, after around an hour or so it starts sputtering and then cuts out, exactly like it's out of gas--but it's not. I was TOLD (have no way of judging if this is right or not) that they are prone to some kind of vapor lock due to the fuel *something* (line? filter? some other thingummy?) being too close to a part of the engine that gets hot. Flip the hood, let it cool off for a while and it's good to go again.....

What mine is doing is a little different; backfiring.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

One quirk these tractors have, if you mow in hot weather, after around an hour or so it starts sputtering and then cuts out, exactly like it's out of gas--but it's not. I was TOLD (have no way of judging if this is right or not) that they are prone to some kind of vapor lock due to the fuel *something* (line? filter? some other thingummy?) being too close to a part of the engine that gets hot. Flip the hood, let it cool off for a while and it's good to go again.....

What mine is doing is a little different; backfiring.

Heat and cutout is what it was doing. I opened gas tank and there was pressure released. I picked up a new fuel filter.

I have had backfire on other 1 cyl mower engines, not this one.

 

[plowhog]

they are prone to some kind of vapor lock ...

I was flying that same Beech Baron 55 over the Sierra Mountains when the right engine quit. It was over 100F when I took off, and heat build up from a maximum performance climb to clear the ridges boiled the fuel in the feed line to the right engine. Fuel starvation from too hot fuel lines leading to vapor lock killed the engine, despite full fuel tanks.

If you insulate your fuel line on your mower it should never do that again. I couldn't do that to the Baron as it was a "modification" to the aircraft so I just had to baby it a bit on a hot day.

 

[AWSubie]

I am unfamiliar with this engine, but it sounds as if you have a vacuum leak. Check the engine closely to see if the service people may have left a small hose or rubber tube off of a fitting (most likely at or around the carb). Check any hose clamps and tighten if loose.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I was flying that same Beech Baron 55 over the Sierra Mountains when the right engine quit. It was over 100F when I took off, and heat build up from a maximum performance climb to clear the ridges boiled the fuel in the feed line to the right engine. Fuel starvation from too hot fuel lines leading to vapor lock killed the engine, despite full fuel tanks.

If you insulate your fuel line on your mower it should never do that again. I couldn't do that to the Baron as it was a "modification" to the aircraft so I just had to baby it a bit on a hot day.

What would you use to insulate it?

(Glad you made it!)

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I am unfamiliar with this engine, but it sounds as if you have a vacuum leak. Check the engine closely to see if the service people may have left a small hose or rubber tube off of a fitting (most likely at or around the carb). Check any hose clamps and tighten if loose.

Thank you. Will check everything tomorrow.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Could not find our Sea Foam, and the problem with living in the boonies is the one store within an hour+ drive is closed on the weekend. So no progress.

Will get the Sea Foam on Monday and check everything and try to figure it out.

Thanks to everyone for your input. We'll see what happens!

 

[Maxify55]

Your overhead valves need to be regapped.

Remove the valve cover and reset the gap to both the intake and exhaust lifters.

It has to be done every now and then with OHV engines.

Consult your owners manual for the clearences. (Lash/Gap)

They're usually between ,004 and .007.

Your feeler gauge will be your new friend.

 

[plowhog]

What would you use to insulate it?

There are many products. Try something like this:

Fuel Line Heat Wrap | Fuel Line Insulation | Heatshield Products

Thanks for the kind thoughts. Having an engine quit at 12,000 ft was not as exciting as the (other) plane that had a fire in the dash panel at 17,000 ft. Takes a while to get on the ground from that altitude ... plus it was a pressurized cabin.

I think Summit Racing store should have a good selection of heat shield products.