Lawn Mower Engine Maintenance Suggestions

I've got a Toro/B&S Model 20332 self propelled lawn mower that's about 1.5 years old. One feature that attracted me to it is their "easy start guaranteed to crank on 1 pull when cold" feature. When it's cold, it absolutely meets that guarantee. After it runs 5 minutes, however, it's the hardest starting S.O.B. I've ever owned.

There's no troubleshooting info in the manual for this problem. B&S describes it as a "ReadyStart" system, featuring a temperature-controlled automatic choke, with no adjustments. I contacted Toro, whose only help is to tell me to take it to a dealer about 25 miles away, one way. He said if I'd bring it in, he'd be glad to look at it, but not while I waited. Bottom line, that's a 100-mile repair.

I would sincerely appreciate any suggestions that I could try myself on this sucker, other than headin' to the dump with it. Thanks very much for your help.

 

What is your process to restart it when it's warm?

 

Jerk the cord. Sorry, but seriously, that's it. There's no manual choke on this engine. Normally, I leave the handle that engages the self-propelled transmission in the disengaged position. I've tried engaging the drive with the thoughts that might feed more gas to the engine, but that hasn't made any difference. When it finally starts, I don't get either any oil smoke or white smoke that it was flooded, and I don't smell any gas. It just don't start. I know that's not much info, but there's no real choke control or throttle control on this mower, other than for the drive unit.

 

The drive unit should have no affect on how it should or shouldn't start. Check and make she there is no obstuction to the choke rod itself,,going to the govenor. I have found some mice homes in there and this would cause the choke to not function. Good Luck.

 

Also check for spark. I wonder if, whatever system shuts down the engine, is not releasing until the engine cools a bit.

 

This has the auto choke that is engaged by heat from the exhaust. The exhaust gets hot, which opens the choke. Then, when you shut it down, the exhaust is still hot and holding the choke open. Waiting until it cools enough to close a bit usually lets it start back up. If the carb has a bit of a restriction, this compounds the problem, so I suggest cleaning the carb and see if that helps.

 

Thanks for all the replies. As cheese pointed out, I learned there's no choke rod or other accessible choke apparatus to mess with. I checked for spark and it's there. (Had not thought about that.... Thanks for the suggestion.) I tried waiting awhile before restarting, but the cool-down is very slow in this wx. After awhile, it does start okay.

I talked with the service dealer again. He promised to have it ready within 3 days. Toro guarantees start on 1st or 2nd pull for 3 years, otherwise repair is free, so I guess I'm going to bite the bullet and take it in. Of course, 100 miles of driving is NOT free. Another good example of why the KISS principal is usually the best choice when buying.