We have an almost brand new push mower only purchased 4 months ago that now seems to be running at half speed. A few weeks ago it wouldn't start. We thought it was because I hit a rock but after talking to a few people they told us here in Washington the gas goes bad quickly and to drain it and fill it up again. We got a turkey baster, drained it, filled it up and it started! But now it's going downhill again. It takes a few pulls to get it started, runs, then kind of shudders while it's mowing, often dying during the task. Any help would be appreciated.

Details:Husqvarna 160 cc with Honda engine model number 961450009
Always stored in the garage

 

You can work on it from the fuel side and put a little Sea Foam (from auto parts store) in it to clean it up. Or you can look at it from hitting the rock side. That would be a sheared flywheel key which affects the timing. Usually that will advance the timing because the flywheel keeps going when everything else stops.

If the rock hit stopped the mower suddenly, I would check the flywheel key if the Sea Foam doesn't fix it.

 

If it shudders while mowing, you probably bent the crankshaft when you hit the rock and it is now junk, take it back. Have a good one. Geo

 

How did it run right after you hit the rock?

 

We're about 30 days too late to take it back. Bummer.

 

If I remember correctly it finished the job but it was the next time that it wouldn't start.

 

A bent crankshaft should have shown up right away.

 

If it were a bent crankshaft would it run at all? If we switch the fuel out it runs much better...

 

Maybe you just bent the blade, and it's now out of balance. I'd inspect it; check the balance; and re-balance or replace (depending on what you discover.