why do I have trouble starting my new 1046?

[05tundra]

My 1046 is only ten months old. I've brought it to the dealer three times and they say they can't find anything wrong with it. If I let my mower set for a week or more, it won't start. I use stabil, so I don't think it's a gas problem. Last time I brought it to the dealer, I wanted them to clean the carb but they said a carb cleaning wasn't under warranty and I'd be charged $25
Any advice on what the problem is or how to get the dealer to take responsibility for these issues? Thanks.

 

[OldMachinist]

What does the dealer say they did to get it to start when you get it back from them.

 

[05tundra]

Well first of all, they kept it three weeks and still hadn't looked at it. When I called them and unleashed a wrath of degrading words, they suddenly found time to look at my mower. They called the next day and said they couldn't find anything wrong and that it started right up. I always leave the throttle wide open and choke it every time I start it.....just like they told me.

 

[RebelRAM]

What behavior does it display when it won't start? I'm assuming when you hit the key the starter turns the engine over? Does the engine catch then die or what? Or does the starter just turn the engine and that's all?

This could be something as simple as a safety switch that is not making a good connection.

I know when I first got my 1046, about the second time I got on it, I forgot to put my foot on the brake while starting and I ended up flooding the engine.

 

[Gator6x4]

I always leave the throttle wide open and choke it every time I start it.....just like they told me.


This could be the problem. Try starting with the choke on and the throttle less than half open. A lot of engines do not like to start when cold with the throttle wide open.

 

[Fordlords]

This problem sounds like it could be a leaky float needle that is causing the float bowl to lose all the gas in it when the engine sits. Then you have to crank the engine for a while to allow the float bowl to fill back up because there is an electric solenoid on the carburetor that shuts off the fuel flow to the float bowl when the engine is stopped. The float needle might not leak all the time, which could be why it started right up at the dealer. I used to be a motorcycle mechanic, and we had this same problem a lot on bikes that had had vacuum gas shutoffs to the carbs.

-Fordlords-

 

[JTKub]

What does your ops manual say for starting a cold engine? I've never started mine cold @ full throttle. Cold, I flip it up to less than half throttle, pull the choke, crank the engine. It usually lights off right away at which time I push the choke back in and let it run at less than half throttle until it's warm enough to go to work.

Joel

 

[RebelRAM]

ON mine I have tried starting both half throttle and with the throttle all the way down. Seems to start best with the throttle all the way down.

My procedure right now on a cold start is to pull the choke, turn the key, let it catch then push the choke in and throttle up to about half throttle and let it run for a few minutes.

 

[05tundra]

The very first time I brought it to the dealer for this problem, they removed the hood, air filter, etc. They felt that it may have been the "fuel shut off" valve beginning to stick. They tapped on the carb with a large screw driver and it fired up. When I had trouble starting it a few days later at home, I removed the hood and air filter and then tapped on the carb with a large screw driver.....then it started. I've been mowing my grass every weekend since then and it usually started right up. I was in San Diego for two weeks (military) and when I came back, I had trouble starting it.....but it did finally start. I'm really not impressed with this Kohler motor and definitely not impressed with my dealer services.