Difficulty keeping it going
#1
07-28-01, 11:38 PM
Today someone gave me an old Snapper Lawn mower. 4 HP rear bagger model # 42... (Its out in the shed) It had been sitting for some time (4 years?) It starts and runs for a bit then slowly quits. Restarting it is possible via a direct blast of Gunk out into the carb. Again it will run for a short bit then die. I keep cleaning the spark plug, the air filter could be cleaner but it's not that bad. I burned off what gas there was in it, and replaced it with fresh gas. When I get it running I have adjusted that screw under the carb to where it seems to be happy but within a minute or two it conks out. Now I'm down in New Orleans. Pulling repetitively on a start cord is not the most fun thing to do when it is in the 90's both temp and humidity. What do you suggest as far as adjustments I can make to keep it running long enough to cut some grass? I suspect the air/ gas mixture is off. The spark plug keeps getting fouled by oily black stuff. Little puffs of black smoke come out of the exhaust at first. It sounds like it's trying to help me out and give it a go but then again I think it likes seeing me sweat and curse at the "Easy Start" sign painted on the machine.
Any suggestions?
Out in the Shed until then
Any suggestions?
Out in the Shed until then
#2
07-29-01, 08:42 AM
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Join Date: Feb 1998
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Several Possibilities
Hello Outintheshed
Any gasoline engine that is left unused for a long period of time with fuel in the tank and carb is bound to have some type of fuel problems.
Most likely your machine is running out of fuel flowing into the carb do to gum, vanish and sludge caused by stale fuel. Stale fuel also gummed up the carb.
The only sure correction is to disassemble the carb, clean out the entire insides and every port, rebuild it with a new carb kit and reassemble it.
Check the archives, within this forum, for more information.
Several other postings and replies to this topic with helpful information.
Good Luck,
Tom_Bartco
Accurate Power Equipment Company.
Small Engine Service and Repair Technician.
Personal Quote:
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it until it is broken!"
Bare in mind my company no longer services nor repairs lawn and garden powered equipment. Rest assured and fully confident, the help I offer you is based upon my prior years in this industry, with this type of equipment and is specific and accurate to the best of my knowledge...
Any gasoline engine that is left unused for a long period of time with fuel in the tank and carb is bound to have some type of fuel problems.
Most likely your machine is running out of fuel flowing into the carb do to gum, vanish and sludge caused by stale fuel. Stale fuel also gummed up the carb.
The only sure correction is to disassemble the carb, clean out the entire insides and every port, rebuild it with a new carb kit and reassemble it.
Check the archives, within this forum, for more information.
Several other postings and replies to this topic with helpful information.
Good Luck,
Tom_Bartco
Accurate Power Equipment Company.
Small Engine Service and Repair Technician.
Personal Quote:
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it until it is broken!"
Bare in mind my company no longer services nor repairs lawn and garden powered equipment. Rest assured and fully confident, the help I offer you is based upon my prior years in this industry, with this type of equipment and is specific and accurate to the best of my knowledge...
