Why won't my mower run?

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
10/11/2017 at 10:50 • Filed to: None

It starts up just fine but then dies immediately. Just had it serviced a few months ago and it’s been working fine. It’s got new gas in it. My yard looks like shit.

DISCUSSION (23)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 10:54

Maybe it’s depressed? Have you asked it how it feels?

crowmolly > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 10:57

Fuel filter.

Or possibly fuel cap if it’s older.

ttyymmnn > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
10/11/2017 at 10:57

No, that’s why I won’t run.

Steve in Manhattan > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 10:58

Plug fouled?

ttyymmnn > crowmolly
10/11/2017 at 10:58

Fuel filter and cap were changed with tune up.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 10:58

Check the valve on the fuel line and make sure it’s fully open, and if it’s got a dead man’s handle/switch make sure the cable isn’t slack or the grub screw for the cable isn’t loose.

ttyymmnn > Steve in Manhattan
10/11/2017 at 10:59

New plug, but I’ll check it.

OPPOsaurus WRX > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 11:03

i just fixed this exact problem this past weekend. The float in the carb is stuck in the up position, locking the fuel out because its acting like the carb is full. pull the float out, clean and reassemble.

ttyymmnn > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
10/11/2017 at 11:03

The deadman’s handle is definitely moving the doohickey that opens the throttle. Or whatever. It’s definitely moving.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 11:04

I just did a big tune on my mower last weekend. Is this a walk-behind mower? Starting and dying sounds like a fuel cap or filter, but if those have been changed about the only thing left is the carb. If it’s a B&S motor, there is a card diaphragm kit that I think helped me out a lot. The diaphragm is a thin piece of rubber and wears out after a while. Make sure to check the plug anyway. If your fuel mix isn’t right (due to carb issues) it could already be fouled up.

ttyymmnn > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/11/2017 at 11:15

Okay. I did this a couple of years ago. Cleaned the needle too. It’s not hard, just not what I wanted to do today.

Thomas Donohue > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 11:19

If you replaced the air filter, is it in correctly? Mine can be put in two ways, but one of those ways blocks all the air. (also, if left out in the elements when it rains, my filter is sometimes so wet it impedes air).

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/11/2017 at 11:23

Had the same problem and all I goofed up on was not noticing bowl had an angle on it that I didn’t line up with the bottom of the float.

PartyPooper2012 > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 11:26

Mower has retired for the season. It’s middle of October. Put the mower away. Retrieve snow blower.

OPPOsaurus WRX > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 11:33

yea? cuz I wake up every morning and think ‘I’d love to clean a lawn mower carb today’.

In order to get mine off (lol) I have to remove the plastic shrowd which required the oil cap to come off first. I pout it all back together but forgot the oil cap. About 5 minutes into mowing the thing starts smoking like crazy. I didn;t notice oil was spilling out all over the place

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 11:35

The deadman’s handle is actually a brake on the engine that locks it up. Kind of neat, really.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 11:38

Crap in the float valve is likely enough, and you may want to check the main jet while you’re at it. If it’s a Briggs or Tecumseh style float bowl carb it has a screw thing with a hole through it in the bottom which is usually the screw that retains the bowl. Make sure the holes in it are all clear.

Tekamul > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 11:41

Dead rodent on the air filter? Usually that’s more of a bouncing idle, but worth a peak, if it’s not the carb.

ttyymmnn > PartyPooper2012
10/11/2017 at 11:50

I live in Texas. My grass will be growing until December.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/11/2017 at 12:01

The choke could be stuck too, just spray the crap out of the cable and lever stuff under the carb with WD 40 or PB blaster.

PartyPooper2012 > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 12:02

in that case.... check the carb. Maybe use some carb cleaner.

I had an issue with a mower earlier this year. It started fine but when it hit grass, it would die. I changed the plugs and filter and gas. same shit...

Turned out to be the flywheel was cracked and off center a bit. I must have hit a rock or stump.

Take it apart and take a look at the flywheel. See if there is any damage. If the flywheel is busted and it’s off center, it will stall

Kinja'd!!!

There is a little cut out and a key (little metal sliver) that holds the flywheel where it needs to be. If that is sheered or missing, flywheel could be out of place and could cause stalling.

Normally if the flywheel is broken, when you yank the cord, it pulls back the cord in with force. In my case it was just slightly out of place. Not enough to do that.

ttyymmnn > PartyPooper2012
10/11/2017 at 12:15

Thanks. I guess I know what I’m doing tomorrow morning....

X37.9XXS > ttyymmnn
10/11/2017 at 12:57

This worked for me