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If an alcohol burning outboard doesn't run I can generally figure out what's wrong. sometimes between the 3 and 1 minute gun. However my knowledge of lawnmowers is this: Go to K-Mart and buy one for $99.00. Use it for 3 years and then set it out in the alley for the less fortunate and buy a new one for $99.00. My problem - I'm only on my 2nd year and it won't run! It has a 3-1/2 hp Briggs and Stratton and if I push the primer bulb it will start and run for a second or two. If I keep pushing it will run until I stop pushing and then it will quit. I took the carburetor apart and can't find anything wrong that I can see. It's clean, float works, nothing is blocked up. Has good gas. Anybody got a better idea than going to K-Mart 18 months early with $99.00??
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You can still find mowers for $100? I thought even the cheapos were 120-130
Briggs hasn't made a 3.5hp in more than 4 years, they're 4 and 4.5 and up now. If it's under 5.5hp it shouldn't have a float and uses a diaphragm carb.
If it has a float it needs a new seat and needle or carb kit, there is no way to adjust float level and the alcohol and other substances that is put in our gas swells up rubber and leans out the float setting. If we go nationally to ethanol fuels I'll have job security!
For a cheap mower it could have a diaphragm carb, replace the diaphragm, or the entire mynlon (plastic) carb, they're about $20. In both cases blow out all passages with compressed air.
Bad gas, gas is stale in 30 days, hard starting in 60 days and considered bad in 90 days. It will last a little longer if the container is air tight. -
Thanks for the info. My mistake, 3.5 from memory. I just looked it is a 4.5 hp. Haven't checked K-Mart but Lowe's cheapest is $139.00. I'll check on a carb kit or I might go electric.Originally posted by ricochet112 View Post
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A diaphragm lists for $3.05, it's a 495770, try it not much to those carbs.Comment
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If all else fails,pull the flywheel and check the flywheel key.I'll bet it is nearly sheared.They make the keys out of aluminum to protect the motor when you wack something.Comment
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Yup, a damaged flywheel key will make it seems like its short on power, and will dye easily, it just happened on my mower!
Cheap part and an easy fix thoughMark Krzyzanowski
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Lawn Mower
Tim,Originally posted by T Chance View Post
You may or may noy know that as a result of racing for OMC I ended up as the Service Manager for Lawn Boy for almost 30 years. All the things mentioned including what you did are common malfunctions. However, knowing that it will run when you prime the carb, then run out of fuel typically is a fuel cap vent plugged. Check you cap to see if it vents freely. The easiest way is to remove it, then bloe with your mouth from the bottom side. They usually have a gasket with an offset hole so that it will vent but not leak fuel out. This could be plugged.
See you in Depue at the reunion.
John
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A sheared key either won't start or will kick back violently.
A plugged tank vent will run 3-5 min before staving for fuel, most mowers vent through the threads in the cap now.
IT'S THE DIAPHRAGM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I replace 40-45 diaphragms year (just on those POS cheapos, I do 200ish a year on float models) with the exact same symptoms, runs and dies quickly on a prime.
But then again I don't have my hands on it...if you could hold the phone next to it while it's running so I could hear it....
I told that to someone once and they did it
Unstabilized fuel and or gas thats over 90 days old (especially ethanol blends), will ruin a diaphragm in as little as 6 months. Buy 2 gal in the spring and use up the spring purchase in the fall, leave that in the carb over the winter and this will happen every spring.
PS-If your thinking about buying a 4 stroke outboard, treat your fuel better than your beer. I've had to replace far more 4 stroke carbs in the last 6 years than I have had to replace 2 cycle carbs in 25 years. The oil in the gas helps slow the gas breakdown.Comment
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plugged orifice
My experience with this problem has been that the tiny hole at the bottom of the main jet that sits in the fuel in the float bowl gets gummed up(plugged)
clean this out with a piece of wire and it will run fine ! Very common problem due to mowers sitting over the winter causing this tiny hole to become blocked and starve the engine except when repeatedly primed. Hope this works for you. P.S. Get an old 2-stroke Lawn Boy they are bullit proof
J Glen Wesanko
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For a float type carb, you are correct.Originally posted by glen wesanko View PostMy experience with this problem has been that the tiny hole at the bottom of the main jet that sits in the fuel in the float bowl gets gummed up(plugged)
clean this out with a piece of wire and it will run fine ! Very common problem due to mowers sitting over the winter causing this tiny hole to become blocked and starve the engine except when repeatedly primed. Hope this works for you. P.S. Get an old 2-stroke Lawn Boy they are bullit proof
J Glen Wesanko
Any one want to purchase a rebuilt Lawn-Boy? I have 1 DuraForce, and 1 F engine to get running. Could pick up at Stock Nationals.Comment
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Here is my situation. I tested my 250 Pro Runabout last weekend at Quincy last weekend and it felt like the last time I was in a boat was yesterday not 16 years ago. I've been busy all week. Later this afternoon I have to be a host at the opening of a new Motorcycle Museum in downtown Saint Louis. Then get up real early and go to the USTS race in Depue for Sat and Sun. Memorial Day I need to change the boat over from a 250 Pro to a SE Mod so I can go run my 49.7 OMC. I have to mow the lawn. I don't have time to fix the lawnmower.
I thank everyone for the suggestions to get it running. I'm going to print them out and put them in a zip-loc baggie attach it to the mower, drain the gas and put the mower in the back of my shop. Right now I'm off to Home Depot. They have a new mower for $99.00.
John, I'll see you at the Nationals. I am bringing 100 copies, signed and numbered, of a Special Edition of Hydroplane Quarterly to give to you to have for the reunion. - Tim
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What Museum
Tim,
Which motorcycle museum are you going to. I work for the Mungenast family who have a very nice big motorcycle museum on Gravois.Keith KampenComment
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The new one: Moto Museum. Vintage motorcycles. Located by Grand Center on Olive, in the old Hart Printing building.Originally posted by kampenracing View Post
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Bad Gas!
Actually a quote from my lovely bride the other night as she abandoned our bed with a hankie held over her face. Hey, babe, you're the one who cooked Mexican chow.
Seriously, my generator wouldn't hit a lick this spring. Dumped the gas, drained the carb, put in fresh fuel and VAROOM! I must have missed that tank when I went on "Stabil" patrol. For my boats, powered yard toys, and any other ICE which might sit for a month or so I add "Stabil" to the gas. Works.
And of course, give up on the $99 mowers and buy a Honda. Milady likes to mow the lawn - exercise in the forever battle for the skinny butt - but I have the keep the dang things running. After mucho wrenching on POS mowers I gave up and bought a self-propelled Honda. Minor maintenance aside, my mower wrenching days are over.carpetbaggerComment
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Don't forget to post the winning entry,inquiring minds want to know....Comment
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