Mower repair help

[DaveRR]

Hello!

I have a Troy Bilt self-propelled walk-behind mower. I can't think of the model, but it's one of TB's higher end lines. It's about 4 years old, and well taken care of.

Anyway, I tried to do my final mowing of the season and the mower won't stay running. After I prime the engine, the mower starts fine, but it quits after it uses the gas from being primed.

I'd like to try fixing it myself before I take it to a mechanic. Any ideas on what the problem is?

Thanks very much!

 

[js5020]

Could it possibly be a blocked gas line filter?

 

[Bob999]

Hello!

I have a Troy Bilt self-propelled walk-behind mower. I can't think of the model, but it's one of TB's higher end lines. It's about 4 years old, and well taken care of.

Anyway, I tried to do my final mowing of the season and the mower won't stay running. After I prime the engine, the mower starts fine, but it quits after it uses the gas from being primed.

Also, if there are adjustable needle valves, there could be dirt blocking one or both. To check count the revolutions to turn IN to the fully closed position (so you can reinstall at the same setting) and then turn all the way out and spray carb cleaner into the open hole before reinstalling the needle valve.

I'd like to try fixing it myself before I take it to a mechanic. Any ideas on what the problem is?

Thanks very much!

Sounds like a fuel supply problem. Could be a blocked fuel tank vent (the hole in the cap that allows air into the tank as the fuel is used). Could be crud at the bottom of the tank blocking the fuel line outlet. Could be a blocked filter if there is one. Could be a kinked fuel line. Sometimes there is a screen or filter at the inlet to the fuel pump, if installed, or at the inlet to the carbureter and either of these could have crud that is restricting flow.

There could also be blockage at a needle valve if the carbureter has them.

 

[DaveRR]

Thanks very much for the quick replies. I did check the fuel lines; they weren't kinked and I didn't see a filter.

I will look into the other things and see what I can find.

Thanks again!

 

[DieselPower]

I'm not familiar with TB mowers but this little trick has worked on others. I have run across alot of mowers built in the last 6 or so years that have non adjustable carburetor's that are for emission's compliance. Never happened to any of my mowers but I have fixed a couple of friends mowers. They either just turned off while mowing or just wouldn't start one day. All had good spark and the gas tanks were full. Pour a little gas in the carb and they would start for a second or two and shut back off.

What I found is that something is getting plugged in the carbs. Not having any high/low idle adjustment screws there is nothing to adjust anymore. Here's what I have been doing. Remove the air cleaner, have someone else pull the starter cord and hold your hand over the air intake completly sealing it off while it is turned over a couple of times it will then start (after you remove your hand of course). The only thing I can figure is by plugging the intake off it creates enough vaccum in the carb while the other person is cranking the engine that it sucks the blockage out of the plugged passage or port. It's worth a try and doesn't cost anything. It has fixed 6 or so mowers I have tinkered with over the last couple of years. Best of all it's a free fix, no parts involved. It might work, give it a try.

 

[Bob999]

I'm not familiar with TB mowers but this little trick has worked on others. I have run across alot of mowers built in the last 6 or so years that have non adjustable carburetor's that are for emission's compliance. Never happened to any of my mowers but I have fixed a couple of friends mowers. They either just turned off while mowing or just wouldn't start one day. All had good spark and the gas tanks were full. Pour a little gas in the carb and they would start for a second or two and shut back off.

What I found is that something is getting plugged in the carbs. Not having any high/low idle adjustment screws there is nothing to adjust anymore. Here's what I have been doing. Remove the air cleaner, have someone else pull the starter cord and hold your hand over the air intake completly sealing it off while it is turned over a couple of times it will then start (after you remove your hand of course). The only thing I can figure is by plugging the intake off it creates enough vaccum in the carb while the other person is cranking the engine that it sucks the blockage out of the plugged passage or port. It's worth a try and doesn't cost anything. It has fixed 6 or so mowers I have tinkered with over the last couple of years. Best of all it's a free fix, no parts involved. It might work, give it a try.

Gasoline deteriorates in storage and after only a few months will start to decompose. When this happens varnishes and similar materials come out of suspension and deposit in the tank, fuel lines, and carburetor. The deposits can block small passages. This is the reason most manuals say to drain the fuel tank and run all fuel out of the carb before storage. They also advise to buy fresh gasoline frequently.

The problem is that it is increasingly difficult to get rid of stale gasoline. An alternative is to buy a fuel stabilizer such as STABIL and add it to any gasoline that will not be used immediately.

Here is a link For STABIL Gold Eagle - Stabil

I add STABIL to all fuel I buy for small engines and since I started doing that I haven't had a problem.

Also, for the record, I have no financial interest in Stabil and do not work for the company.

 

[wushaw]

I would try what Diesel Powers suggested, I have a Techumse on a push mower that I have had to do this to several times over the years.
You can try it when you get it started with the primer bulb then put your hand over the inlet.

 

[Molerj]

I don't know what engine or carburetor you have so this is a shot in the dark. If you have a bowl on your carburetor, remove the nut holding it on & see if it has any small holes going thru the threads. Clean them out with a fine piece of wire. This site may help you see what I am talking about
"BS Tips"

 

[DaveRR]

Thanks very much for the additional replies. I haven't had a chance to work on it yet (my pre-winter honey-do list keeps growing), but I'll let you know if your suggestions work.

Thanks again!