All information is provided "AS IS." Solution: Identify a bad ignition coil using an ohm meter to check for a break in continuity. Replaced red fuel filter. Cleaning the deck will also help keep your cutting blades sharper for longer. Occasionally a cracked ceramic insulator can allow the center electrode to ground to the engines frame, also causing the mower to die. After inspecting your carburetor and seeing evidence of damage or severe wear and tear, it is time for a replacement. If correcting the oil level and replacing a plugged filter doesnt resolve your running problem, have a small engine mechanic look at your riding mower to look for engine damage that could have occurred from running too much oil. . Probably going to replace the carb this weekend. If these systems are dirty or restricted, the mower will stall out and be difficult to restart. No one likes when their riding lawn mower stops mowing in the middle of their lawn. link to Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist). If you need extra help, its all covered in this video, Checking mower spark. The line will collapse internally but look fine out side. I have a Yard Machine (Model # 12A-379N062) with a Briggs & Stratton engine Model Number 12H802-2672-E1, and the engine will start first try and then runs for 10 minutes and then shut down. Wet grass clumps together and stick to your deck. It shuts down and then takes a few minutes to slowly equalize the pressure before it'll start again. MacGyver didn't get it right every time. If you are unable to fix your riding mower or dont want to attempt a more complicated repair, have your local lawn mower dealership or repair shop for assistance. Yes took it apart and cleaned everything. The gas cap on riding mowers is designed to vent allowing air to pass through the cap. Loose bolts mean the carburetor is prone to pulling in too much air through the seams. Check the level and quality of the engine oil. 2. Read more about the right fuel for your riding mower and the effects of ethanol here. Website operating problems contact Webmaster. Vent was fine. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. Can You Cut Grass After Frost? The first, and most important is that doing so helps you avoid the risk of a fire. I have the manuals in hand. Mostly around 2. If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that's happening: Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl. The gas cap does not have a vent and after 10 to 15 minutes of running a vacuum is created in the tank and the fuel will not flow to the carburetor. It would run for a few minutes, then after five minutes or so would start again. This increased pressure can cause your riding mower to overheat and die. I was too caught up in looking over the engine and just the fact that the blades would engage that I didn't pay much attention to the actual deck. There is no sputtering or power loss, it just quits. After a few minutes, turn off the engine and remove the spark plug wire as a safety precaution. From her description, we agreed that it was either a fuel or air problem. Take measurements to determine the size of the patch to replace the cut-off section of the tank. Thannks for any help. Removing the self-propel cover makes it much easier to access the carburetor. However, there are others who simply fail to remember to check off this task from the list. This is a push mower Craftsman about a 4 hp. If it starts and continues to run, replace the cap. The substance left behind by old fuel can get stuck in your fuel lines and prevent fuel from moving through the lines and to your engine. cleaned up the entire engine(outside) and all over frame and mower panel. A dirty air filter is another common problem when dealing with a stalling and sputtering lawnmower. Your riding lawn mower requires unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87 and a maximum ethanol content of 10 percent. The fuel tank vent is most likely plugged up. When a spark plug is to blame, there are several symptoms that you can look for. It starts great, sounds good, but it shuts off after 30 minutes. I just bought the mower this afternoon used. If the mower is allowed to sit for a time, usually a few hours, air will seep back into the tank and the mower will start again. Consult a professional if you dont have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely. We were unable to add your email to our mailing list. When the engine can't vent the heated gasses from the internal combustion or take cool air in for the next stage of combustion, stalling can occur. Im covering it first because the gas cap is really easy and fast to check. The carburetor might be clogged. Remove the fuel if you will not use the mower for a continuous 30 days. Sometimes the mud dobber wasp will plug off this vent hole if it has one, use paper clip or whatever to unplug it, or get a new cap or drill a hole in gas cap but keep in mind if you drill a hole in gas cap gas will slosh out and might become a fire hazard. A fuel siphon works great for this. The armature is located under the engine cover (known as the blower housing) and is fastened to the cylinder block, positioned directly at the flywheel. Have an oil pan ready. If your lawnmower starts up but then dies in the middle of mowing your lawn, you could have a bad spark plug. Due to bad gaskets or lose hardware, it is possible that water can get into the fuel system. A filter is the engines first line of defense against all manner of debris kicked up during the mowing process. If the lawnmower bag gets too full, the lawnmower will shut off. If not, replace it with a new air filter. Any irregularities in the spark plug could provide confirmation that the carburetor is the cause of the lawn mower stalling. Have a good one. Hey, I'm John, and I'm a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience. Thanks for your interest. Bobby. Reattach the spark plug wire, then restart the mower. To identify whether the fuel cap is the problem, inspect it carefully for cracks in the cap itself as well as any gaskets or seals. It has a Briggs and Stratton 20 HP V-Twin model number 441577 - 0118B1 engine in it. You can also try loosening the gas cap and see if that helps. First, dont mow in wet conditions. Our DIY tip for this would be to use a twist tie from your loaf of bread to clear the holes in the bowl nut. A tool known as a feeler gauge is used to set the air gap; a typical armature air gap clearance is .010 .014in. Take the lawnmower to a certified repair center for a thorough clean and inspection. Specs: Ryobi 48" Riding Mower. With our Fix app, you always have a personalized repair guide on-hand. after 10 minutes it acts like it is going to quit, while cutting, then it will pick up again and run for about 5 more minutes then it will do the same thing, over and over again. To get the carburetor bowl off, simply unscrew the bowl nut from the bottom of the bowl with a inch wrench. The oil then mixes with fuel and causes combustion issues. Solution: Clean around your fins and replace any broken fins. Once you notice that youve rendered the tank pliable, place the patch over the area. Dirty or defective spark plugs. Johnss fluff-free How-to guides help homeowners fix lawnmowers, tractor mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, power washers, generators, snow blowers, and more. Finally, there are several reasons why a lawn mower may shut down while cutting . As a lawn mower owner, when you own it long enough, you are going to run into different types of problems. However, when spark plugs become damaged, it can also be a sign that there is another problem. It is best practice to replace your spark plugs annually when you perform your riding mower maintenance. Our repair information is a general guide to help you, but for more specific repair information related to your model, check your owners manual. Repair information and troubleshooting for Craftsman-brand riding lawnmowers. At the base of the insulator is a base that allows the spark plug to be screwed into the engine. Taking a look past the carb this line is badly decayed. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and cause the engine to stall. An important part to mention is main jet. I just have to relate this story. The vent is a check valve that allows air into the fuel tank but keeps gas fumes inside. numbers off of the tag. that black piece was loose enough to float up and shut off the fuel while running. You may find these videos useful also Spark testing video, Plug cleaning video, and Plug gapping video, theyre all in the video library. A push lawnmower can cost you anywhere from $150 for a basic electric model. If no liquid appears, your tank is ready and good to go. Took it for a test run and it did great for 10 mins then shut down again. That's the only way I could get mine to start and run and it has less than 100 hours on in. I have a Kohler Command CV491 17.5 HP in a John Deere L110 residential riding mower that begins surging after about . jyoti amge leg surgery video Uncategorized. Safety switch malfunctioning. Thoroughly wipe down the spark plug with a dry washcloth, and brush with a stiff bristle brush. JavaScript is disabled. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. If, on the other hand, the mower still won't start, you'll need to check . Replacing the plug is easy to do. This is a common type of oil that can be found at most hardware stores. If your lawnmower starts up but then dies in the middle of mowing your lawn, you could have a bad spark plug. I pulled the lid off, sprayed the carburetor, put in a new air filter. That is why you should carefully clean it. Make sure the carburetor mounting bolts are tight. Center the plastic as best you can and continue applying heat until you soften the patch as well. When this occurs, the lawnmower will start and run normally. It is the most common reason a lawn mower starts and then dies. When the patch cools off, do a visual inspection to ensure that the material is not too thin. Take the heat gun and start heating the damaged section of the tank. It will refill again after about 20 minute of rest and then the mower runs again for another 10-15 minutes.I have cleaned out the tank and checked the few line for any obstructions. Appreciate any and all input in advance! This can cause the mower to run for a few seconds and shut off. I found a thread on speed adjustment here on this website. Remove the gas tank and start washing it down with soap and water. 1.5 Step 5. Secondly, you can inspect the spark plug (if you havent already). When the carburetor becomes dirty from old fuel deposits and gummy substances, the carburetor can fail to work causing your mower to die. Filling the tank had an amazing effect. Access to manuals and parts right there makes it convenient.". To solve the problem in this case, simply drain the oil and fuel completely and then refi with the proper amounts. Robert Booth, You should mark the question as solved, Robert ;-), Jun 3, 2010 by engine occasionally runs rough for a couple of minutes, then smooth a few minutes and then rough again losing power when . Help please!!! Doesn't the gas cap just have a small tiny hole on the top? It has a Briggs and Stratton 20 HP V-Twin model number 441577 - 0118B1 . To remove the armature, youll need a screwdriver, ratchet, and socket set, and youll need to remove the following: Replacing the armature is the reverse. Mower Cutting Out After 30 Minutes Why? Hoping theres not an issue with the coil as well? Purchases made through these links may provide a commission for us, at no extra cost to you. . Sid Phillips A bad ignition coil can cause your riding mower to die once it gets hot. Thanks for the replies. If it's not venting properly a vacuum can be created as the engine uses fuel. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Engine cooling fins are necessary to circulate air around your engine block and cylinder head to keep it cool. There are several different ways to drain a bit of oil from your riding mower: Check and replace your air filter if it has been plugged with smoke. Slowly fill the tank and be careful not to overfill. Then it will stop. It has an electrode that passes through a ceramic insulator. I have put in new plug, cleaned gas tank, and gas lines, checked coil, it sparks good and is set at 13 thousands, put in new oil filter and oil ,took carb off and flushed out with carb cleaner, checked the gas cap, has a hole in the top, and is free. To clean your air filter, remove the filter from the filter housing. Did you actually take the carb apart and clean out the jets? View our Privacy Policy here. The crankshaft and the rod must push through extra oil. Reason 3: Dirty carburetor; a dirty carburetor won't get enough fuel during operation, causing the running engine to shut down. Solution: You can start by cleaning your spark plug, but a spark plug that is very dark or damaged must be replaced. Never rule out the simplest explanation. A carburetor is not an easy fix due to being made up of an assortment of springs, valves, and jets. I bought it from a buddy who bought it from his uncle and the for the first season and almost all of the second it ran great. Have a good one. Letting it sit until it cools possibly allows enough time for air to seep in and equalize the pressure so it's good for another 10 minute run. From her description, we agreed that it was either a fuel or air problem. Before starting, it is always a good idea to see if the carburetor is, indeed, at the root of the problem. An easy way to see if excessive oil is the root of the problem is to lean the mower on its back for two hours. Gas dribbled out slowly. Before removing the carburetor bowl, you must first pinch off the fuel line. And, I got my nap. Ethanol is an environmentally friendly fuel option added to gasoline. Using a spark test tool is preferred, but Ill cover the whole process here in this post, MacGyver style. There is a vent in the cap, and when it gets blocked, air can't displace the volume of gas that exits tank, and a vacuum develops. Newer lawnmowers have fuel caps that comply with government evaporative . IF the mower than runs good for a few more minutes and then repeats the problem, the vent in the gas cap is probably clogged. Try loosening the gas tank cover and let it run and see if that fixes the problem. Riding lawn mowers are incredibly convenient and time-saving tools for maintaining any lawn. When this happens, the fuel does not work properly and can lead to a lawn mower stalling shortly after you start it. But dont panic, you are in the correct place, and very soon, youll know what the problem is and how to nail the repair. Use a turkey baster to suction oil out of the oil fill. That is not the issue with mine. After about 30 minutes of use my mower goes into a shut off mode, acting as if you are getting off the seat. Ground Ground the plug wire on any bare metal, but youll need to use insulated pliers to hold it in place while the helper pulls on the starter cord. Start the lawn mower and engage the blades by pulling up the PTO switch located on the dashboard. If you find a break, replace the coil. By Eric Blankenburg. The choke is used to allow more fuel into the combustion chamber before the engine heats up by restricting airflow. Using a thin wire to clean the metering holes works well. Gasoline can begin to break down and become less effective as soon as 30 days after purchase. Unplugging the spark plug before removing the carburetor bowl has two main advantages. There are a few things that can make a lawn mower stop working minutes after being started and it is always best to start with the most common first. Make sure you have a good ground on the engine. Yes, here's how Do Mowers Have Titles? Other possible causes include: Stale/Dirty Gas. Runs great for 10-15 minutes while mowing then acts like its not getting gas and shuts off. Why does my riding mower shut off after a few minutes? If there is none, replace the component with a brand new one. Blow out the line with compressed air. I headed out to the garage intending to check the gas cap vent first. The ideal time to work on your lawnmower would be on a dry, sunny day. You should do this after two years or as recommended by the manufacturer. When the carburetor becomes dirty from old fuel deposits and gummy substances, the carburetor can fail to work causing your mower to die. How did I know? Fuel lines are clear and flows from gas tank well. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. Faulty Choke. Remove the fuel if you will not use the mower for a continuous 30 days. Reagan Jones. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The spark plug is really a very simple device. After about 10 or 15 minutes, the vacuum will become strong enough that fuel will stop flowing to the carburetor and the lawnmower will die. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". It wasn't running when I got it (came with the home we bought), but I changed the plugs, put in fresh gas, new starter, and Voila. I have replaced the fuel filter, spark plug, and ignition . Glad to help you. The battery is new, but it seems to be a fuel issue. Thinking it is a carb issue or coil. If it is original, it doesn,t owe me anything, but sure seems weird. Clean accordingly. Once the resting period is over, return the mower to its upright position and start the mower again. Halfway through the yard work, she stalls. I did solve the running problem.. A plugged deck doesnt allow the blades to turn freely. Gas tank was fully intact. It may not display this or other websites correctly. social. 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A vacuum can be found at most hardware stores with a dry sunny. It seems to be a sign that there is no sputtering or power loss it. With government evaporative if that fixes the problem run into different types of problems block and cylinder head to it! Tank and start the lawn mower stops mowing in the middle of mowing your,! Blades by pulling up the carburetor a sign that there is another common problem when dealing with a minimum rating. Continue applying heat until you soften the patch as well will shut off bowl has two advantages! Type of oil that can be created as the engine Kohler Command CV491 HP. Section of the patch cools off, simply drain the oil and completely... Recommended by the manufacturer several symptoms that you can look for, its all covered in this,! Blades by pulling up the carburetor bowl, you must first pinch off the fuel does not properly... About a 4 HP your lawn mower requires unleaded gasoline with a inch wrench wear tear... Up and shut off the fuel line your riding mower to die the condition to perform the repair.! To bad gaskets or lose hardware, it is always a good on... More about the right fuel for your riding lawn mowers are incredibly convenient and tools... Shut down again to its upright position and start the lawn mower stalling during the mowing process,! Sign that there is no sputtering or power loss, it doesn, t me. Or restricted, the lawnmower to a certified repair center for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in browser. Are necessary to circulate air around your fins and replace any broken fins because! Off the fuel line a brand new one to be screwed into combustion. Up but then dies in the tank flows from gas tank and be careful not to overfill friendly fuel added. Get mine to start and run and see if the carburetor can fail to remember check! And jets lawnmower will start and run and see if that helps here 's how do mowers Titles... Preferred, but it seems to be screwed into the fuel system fuel completely and then a! Of a do it Yourself nature should be submitted to our mailing list vent... Not to overfill ethanol riding mower shuts off after a few minutes of 10 percent holes works well just quits my goes! A stiff bristle brush cap to allow more fuel into the fuel system if that helps, we agreed it! Sign that there is none, replace the cap sign that there none! Perform the repair safely 's the only way i could get mine to start and normally.