NFT: lawn mower troubleshooting

Mine just started acting up......this one is only a couple years old....doesn't have the primer bulb like my old lawnmower did.......it does sound like a restriction somewhere..........by using starter fluid, the vehicle starts and has a stronger vacuum from the cylinders to suck the fuel in past the restriction, is my reasoning....

The fuel lines ?

In the carb and may be blocking the carb jet. Or, there is a rubber line going into the carb and that could be bad. You aren't getting gas and that line is like a pump. I am not sure if all models have the same features,though. Here in AZ, sand is my periodical problem.

Ethanol.

Ethanol in gasoline is murder on small engines. Causes the carborator and fuel lines to get gummed up. If that's the issue, you'll need to bring it somewhere for service and get them to clean it out.

Once you're running again, treating your gasoline with fuel stabilizer will help a lot. I recommend Star Tron.

Also, at the end of the season, make sure you run your engine dry so you don't leave any old gas in the system.

If your mower has a fuel cutoff valve, I'd make use of it after every mowing. Turn the cutoff while the mower is running and let it run dry. This keeps fuel in the tank but keeps the carb and lines dry.

I have an old Honda and it takes ten to twenty pulls to start. Once it’s running, it’s runs fine. If I stop the engine to empty the bag and then start it again it starts on the first or second pull. Any ideas?

Jim.

If you haven't been using a stabilizer, ethanol will create a lacquer build up.

As Jim stated, always run the carburetor dry.

Easy to install an in line switch.

Just had same problem changed carberater. Runs great now

You gotta clean the carburetor. It's not that hard, you likely will only need a Phillips head screwdriver to take it all apart. Just pay attention to where everything goes and be gentle with the diaphragm.

Get some carb cleaner spray and spray through every hole and crevice, especially the filter screens. Let dry then reassemble.

use fuel stabilizer but the gas that I was using up until last weekend was pretty old (maybe a year or so). The stabilizer is supposed to be good for two years though. It always started with just one or two pulls until a couple of weeks ago. I may just end up taking it somewhere.

In comment 13612043 eclipz928 said:

Quote:

You gotta clean the carburetor. It's not that hard, you likely will only need a Phillips head screwdriver to take it all apart. Just pay attention to where everything goes and be gentle with the diaphragm. Get some carb cleaner spray and spray through every hole and crevice, especially the filter screens. Let dry then reassemble.

I may still try that. I watched a few youtube videos and it will be a bit of a pain to get to it on this model. It's still cheaper than taking it somewhere though.

gaskets and the rubber parts inside the carb. try tightening the two bolts or nuts holding the carb to the block - gently - both are cheap metal and you don't want to fracture the flange on the carb or strip the threads in the block.
I wouldn't be surprised if you need a new gasket, carb rebuild or need buy a new one.

clean the lines and carb.

If you don't drain the gas from any small engine completely, the carb will gunk up.