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#1
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Lawm mower stalls
I have an MTD, self propelled lawm mower with a 5.5 HP Briggs and
Stratton engine. Over the last several weeks, it has developed a problem where it starts right up, runs for about 20 minutes and stops. Sometimes it coughs and sputters for awhile before stalling, other times it's as if it was turned off. There have been times it's done that and would restart, other times, I have to wait until the next day. I have checked the air filter, checked the gas line, and checked the spark plug cable. What I haven't done is replaced the spark plug. If this helps, I thought it started moving alot faster about the time it happened but for the life of me, I can't see how that would be connected to the problem. |
#2
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Lawm mower stalls
If it ran faster just before it died , it may be an indication that it is
being starved of fuel. Most small engines will rev. somewhat when they run out of fuel. Is there a fuel filter to check? Is there dirt getting into the needle valve? Is the float sticking closed? Is the carburetor dirty? Is there water or dirt in the tank? wrote in message ups.com... I have an MTD, self propelled lawm mower with a 5.5 HP Briggs and Stratton engine. Over the last several weeks, it has developed a problem where it starts right up, runs for about 20 minutes and stops. Sometimes it coughs and sputters for awhile before stalling, other times it's as if it was turned off. There have been times it's done that and would restart, other times, I have to wait until the next day. I have checked the air filter, checked the gas line, and checked the spark plug cable. What I haven't done is replaced the spark plug. If this helps, I thought it started moving alot faster about the time it happened but for the life of me, I can't see how that would be connected to the problem. |
#3
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Lawm mower stalls
rile,
As gas is drawn from the gas tank air must come in through a valve, typically a cheap reed valve. These valves can fail. So you run the mower until a vacuum builds up in the gas tank and stops the flow of gas. Next time it stops take the gas cap off, put it back on, and try to start it. If it starts up then suspect the reed valve. Dave M. |
#4
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Lawm mower stalls
the only thing using a reed valve is a two stroke, and that would have
nothing to do with building a vacuum in the tank. s "David Martel" wrote in message ink.net... rile, As gas is drawn from the gas tank air must come in through a valve, typically a cheap reed valve. These valves can fail. So you run the mower until a vacuum builds up in the gas tank and stops the flow of gas. Next time it stops take the gas cap off, put it back on, and try to start it. If it starts up then suspect the reed valve. Dave M. |
#5
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Lawm mower stalls
On Aug 1, 1:59 pm, "Steve Barker"
wrote: the only thing using a reed valve is a two stroke, and that would have nothing to do with building a vacuum in the tank. s "David Martel" wrote in message ink.net... rile, As gas is drawn from the gas tank air must come in through a valve, typically a cheap reed valve. These valves can fail. So you run the mower until a vacuum builds up in the gas tank and stops the flow of gas. Next time it stops take the gas cap off, put it back on, and try to start it. If it starts up then suspect the reed valve. Dave M.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Well, strange as it may seem, I may agree with the gas cap theory. I had thought of that before. Everytime I take the gas cap off, it seems to run for awhile and then stall. It seems to me that as the fuel level goes down, there has to be a means to prevent a vacuum from disrupting the fuel flow. Could it be a bad gas cap? I'd run it without one as a test but don't like the idea of gas splashing out of the tank onto the hot engine. |
#6
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Lawm mower stalls
The cap usually has a vent. It may be plugged.
wrote in message oups.com... On Aug 1, 1:59 pm, "Steve Barker" wrote: the only thing using a reed valve is a two stroke, and that would have nothing to do with building a vacuum in the tank. s "David Martel" wrote in message ink.net... rile, As gas is drawn from the gas tank air must come in through a valve, typically a cheap reed valve. These valves can fail. So you run the mower until a vacuum builds up in the gas tank and stops the flow of gas. Next time it stops take the gas cap off, put it back on, and try to start it. If it starts up then suspect the reed valve. Dave M.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Well, strange as it may seem, I may agree with the gas cap theory. I had thought of that before. Everytime I take the gas cap off, it seems to run for awhile and then stall. It seems to me that as the fuel level goes down, there has to be a means to prevent a vacuum from disrupting the fuel flow. Could it be a bad gas cap? I'd run it without one as a test but don't like the idea of gas splashing out of the tank onto the hot engine. |
#7
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Lawm mower stalls
Rile,
You've already done the test by taking the cap off. You have a bad valve or vent. Look at the cap, is it vented? Drain the tank, get a flashlight, and look for a valve. This is a really cheap fix, you owe me a cup of coffee. Dave M. |
#8
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Lawm mower stalls
5/5 HB Briggs don't have reed valves. Only found on two strokes.
-- Christopher A. Young You can't shout down a troll. You have to starve them. .. "David Martel" wrote in message ink.net... : rile, : : As gas is drawn from the gas tank air must come in through a valve, : typically a cheap reed valve. These valves can fail. So you run the mower : until a vacuum builds up in the gas tank and stops the flow of gas. Next : time it stops take the gas cap off, put it back on, and try to start it. If : it starts up then suspect the reed valve. : : Dave M. : : |
#9
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Lawm mower stalls
Run with the gas cap loosened about 1/4 turn, see if that helps.
My couple thoughts were * Bad motor oil, as strange as that sounds. * Valve clearance problem, if it's an older motor * Ignition coil going bad -- Christopher A. Young You can't shout down a troll. You have to starve them. .. wrote in message oups.com... : Well, strange as it may seem, I may agree with the gas cap theory. I : had thought of that before. Everytime I take the gas cap off, it : seems to run for awhile and then stall. It seems to me that as the : fuel level goes down, there has to be a means to prevent a vacuum from : disrupting the fuel flow. Could it be a bad gas cap? I'd run it : without one as a test but don't like the idea of gas splashing out of : the tank onto the hot engine. : |
#10
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Lawm mower stalls
If the engine is more than a few years old, it may have valve
clearance problems. To check this isn't all that hard, with a socket set and a couple of feeler gages. To fix it requires dissembling the engine, and not many people have the tools. I tried to make a living of small engine repairs, and I do have the tools. -- Christopher A. Young You can't shout down a troll. You have to starve them. .. wrote in message ups.com... : I have an MTD, self propelled lawm mower with a 5.5 HP Briggs and : Stratton engine. Over the last several weeks, it has developed a : problem where it starts right up, runs for about 20 minutes and : stops. Sometimes it coughs and sputters for awhile before stalling, : other times it's as if it was turned off. There have been times it's : done that and would restart, other times, I have to wait until the : next day. : I have checked the air filter, checked the gas line, and checked the : spark plug cable. What I haven't done is replaced the spark plug. : If this helps, I thought it started moving alot faster about the time : it happened but for the life of me, I can't see how that would be : connected to the problem. : |
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