I've got a Toro GTS (2 or 3 years old), 6.5 HP 4-stroke. Don't know what brand of engine. Sorry.

Anyway, it used to start first pull, run fine for a while, then start throwing fits every now and then (cough, sputter, pop) for a few minutes, then run fine. Now it's gotten to the point where I can't start it. It'll start, run for a few seconds, then stop.

I figure it's got something to do with carburation or bowl. Help.

 

Are you sure there is no trash or water in the tank, that would make an engines act this way. Another cause could be a dirty carburetor. Also, make sure your air filter isn't clogged up.

 

Well, I just took off the carb and stripped it down. The bowl had plenty of gas in it (all over my garage floor), didn't look like water in the bottom. Didn't see any garbage in it. The holes look clear, but I ran a wire through them to make sure. The air cleaner could probably be replaced, but it appears to have adequate airflow.

Anyway, I put it all back together, and after protesting the first couple of times I started it, it took off like nothing was ever wrong, so I jumped on the lawn. Of course, it died again about a third of the way through.

This is really aggravating. I'll check the plug once it cools down. Maybe tomorrow. It's dark now.

Are there any adjustments at all to this engine?

Any more opinions?

 

Hello Ribtips!

Check for spark as soon as it quits on you, and before it has a chance to cool down. You may have coil breaking down.

 

Thanks, cheeze.

I got busy and found the engine manual on Toro's website, so now I know a little more about what I'm doing. Not much, but a little. I'll mess with it some more after work tomorrow.

 

My sister has that same mower (called a "Recycler") and she complained it would not stay running for more than a couple of seconds.

I cleaned the fuel line to the carburetor and sprayed up the carburetor in and out after taking the bowl off. I gave it a tuneup and changed the oil.

Now it fires up and runs like new. It's usually the simple stuff on these machines.

 

Actually, it's a Super Recycler (aluminum deck).

OK, so the first thing I should have done was check the spark plug. The mower is a 2000 model, so who knows how long that plug has been in there. It wasn't extremely cruddy, but just enough to not spark consistently. I cleaned the gunk off of it and, well, everyone's happy now.

Thanks to everyone for all the help. At least now I've got a bit of a feel for the thing.

 

Good job!

I was thinking it would be some sort of ignition problem. If the symptom comes back (we hope it doesn't), let us know!