MTD mower with a Honda engine

I've been trying to start my honda engine powered MTD mower. It won't go. I had put stabil in the fuel in the late fall. I didn't run the mower afterwards though. I drained out all the fuel from the tank and the first hose headed towards the carb. I still can't get it to go. I see a silver colored small "bowl" shaped thing at the end of the fuel line. It has a screw on the middle of the bottom of it and a screw on the side bottom. Is one of these the drain for draining off fuel? If I do that what else might I do? I had read where the float might be stuck. Any other tips would be appreciated thanks Scott

Update I unscrewed the side screw of the bowl and not much fuel came out. I also pulled the gas line on the other side of the shut off switch. Not much came out if any at all. I made sure I had good fuel flow from the on/off fuel shutoff. It flows freely. After all of this it still won't start.

 

What is the engine model number?

Is your mower a Troy-Bilt model 12AV565Q711, 12AV834Q711, 12AV835Q711, 12AV565Q766 or 12AV835Q766 by chance? If it is send me a PM with an email address and I will send you a service bulletin concerning the problem.

 

I can't find an engine serial number or model number. I'll check my manual for location. It's made by MTD though with the Honda motor.

GJAAA 176249S S3A

 

I received the following in a Private Message (PM) from SAS222 and I will answer it here:

“Did you find out anything about my mower? My buddy said the carb is probably gummed up with the old fuel that sat in it.”

The links below will help you locate the model numbers. With the model number, I will know exactly what you have and will be happy to send you documents that may help solve your problem. The reason I asked if your mower is a Troy-Bilt is because there are problems with some carburetors on select Troy-Bilt models with Honda engines that require carburetor replacement. You may be able to get this done free by the business where you purchased the mower.

Your buddy may be right about the carburetor being gummed up. I can provide you a document that details how to clean the carburetor.

I am pleased to help but I need model numbers. If you want the documents send me a PM with an email address and I will send them.

Model number location on engine:
Plano Power Equipment - Honda Model and Serial Number Locations

Model number location on mower:
Help Finding Model/Serial Numbers

 

It's a Honda GCV-160/190 It's on an MTD mower. I may just take it back, it's less than a year old. I hate to though. If I do take the card off how sensitive are the torque tolerances? I mean I don't want to screw up the gasket. My buddy said I might be able to drain the bowl and fill it with cleaner and let it sit overnight. He said about a 1/3 of the time that can work.

 

My email is feelthebite22@charter.net I already posted the engine numbers. I'll get them again for you.

 

I sent you two emails with documents attached. Read through them and all of your questions are answered in them.

Good Luck

 

Yes, my mower is one of those and won't start, please send the service bulletin(s) to robert.mcclain@gmail.com


Many Thanks!

 

On all the small Hondas I've seen you can just undo the front (angle face) screw, and drain it, then it'll start right up.

 

My troy built mower with 160cc honda engine was one of the models that airman listed in this thread. The bulletin stated that something about the choke causes the plug to fowl and then the engine will be hard starting or not start at all. The solution is to replace the carb and spark plug with one that fires hotter and is resistant to fowling. I recommend you get the bulletin from Airman if you are having this problem.

My case was worse. When I tried to start it, it was backfiring out through the carb. This can be caused by the flywheel pin shearing which throws the timing off, OR in my case the condition that fowled the plug also made the intake valve sticky so it was never closing.

So after replacing the carb, spark plug and cleaning the valve stem (i sprayed carb cleaner on it until it moved freely) the motor started easily on the first pull.

Hope this helps someone in the future. Beer 4U2