slowly dies out. It turns over slower and slower until it eventually dies. It seems to be running a bit rich and is blowing a bit of black smoke out the exhaust. I changed the oil, fuel, spark plug, air filter, and cleaned the carb. It was flooding so I replaced the needle seat in the carb and it no longer appears to be flooding but is still having the same problem. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.
Briggs & Stratton
Experienced gardeners share their insights in answering this question :
Have you checked the choke that it is off after you get the engine started,the black smoke is definitely from the choke, if you take the carb off and check that the needle closes when it should,as one can easily do an adjustment by bending the float/tab,rgds
How to Identify and Fix Common Gardening Problems ?
We provide a variety of viewpoints on how to identify and fix common gardening problems. Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced gardeners :
As the fuel level drops, a vacuum begins to form in the fuel tank because air can get in to fill the space the consumed fuel occupied. 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.
A Dirty Carburetor Can Cause a Lawnmower To Start Then Die By far, the most common issue that causes a stalled motor is a dirty carburetor. The carburetor on your engine is the thing that draws in air and mixes it with the fuel. Contrary to what the movies might make you think, gasoline itself is not very flammable.
A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and cause the engine to stall.
You Lose Power in the Middle of Mowing:
Here`s why this happens and what you can do: Dirty Air Filter on Your Lawn Mower: Clean or replace. Dirty Spark Plug: Clean or replace. Build Up of Clippings & Debris: Clean underside of your lawn mower deck as noted above.
Mower Gas Cap
If the tank is sealed, the fuel becomes air locked, and the mower stalls. This typically happens after a short period between ten and thirty minutes and also depends on factors like weather and gas tank fuel level.
The most common reason your car starts then dies immediately is because of a lack of fuel in the engine. This often happens because there is a small amount of fuel in the fuel rail, which helps to start the engine. However, there is no fuel pressure to keep the engine running.
A full gas tank and oil reservoir are the essential first steps when checking why the lawn mower won`t stay running, but the problem could also be a dirty filter, clogged carburetor, improper fuel mixture, or a dirty spark plug.
Your lawn mower runs for 30 minutes then dies if you are having issues such as a bad spark plug, air problems, a malfunctioning carburetor, or a faulty gas cap. You may even encounter the issue that your lawn mower runs for 5 minutes then dies.
If a mower is hard to start, it may be the result of a dirty carburetor and/or a clogged air filter. Use a screwdriver to remove the carburetor and clean any dirt out of it with a rag. Clean the air filter or replace it if it`s disposable.
Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas. If this doesn`t work, you might need a new fuel filter.
The spark plugs are worn or damaged If you find that your lawnmower keeps dying, or keeps stalling while cutting grass, then inspect the spark plugs. Look for signs of damage or wear. Something as simple as a cracked porcelain insulator can mean an electrode has been damaged or burned away.
Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Have a craftsman 16″ chain saw 358.360260. Could not initially get it started after it had sat for a couple years with fuel stabilizer in it. When I went to use it the fuel had all evaporated and the fuel pick line was rotted. I replaced that with some difficulty but finally got it on. Saw still wouldn’t start. Replaced the fuel filter. Still wouldn’t start. Pulled the carb apart and cleaned and recleaned everything. Diaphragms were good and I didn’t adjust any of the mixture screws because as I said it ran fine before storage. Non of the carb passages were clogged. Fresh gas 40:1, good spark plug and good spark. Airfilter is good. Engine has maybe about 4 hours of total run time on it. It’s a ZAMA (?) carb. It will run for about 30 seconds when I manually prime it by pouring a small amount of fuel directly though the carb. When I was disassembling the carb the vent hose that goes back into the fuel tank seemed to have a small out of ?substance? in it which I cleaned out. It was right at the end the of the hose that goes back into the fuel tank and not up by the carb. It didn’t appear to be like your typical gummy deposits/varnish though. I hope it wasn?t some type of spongy check valve stuff that is supposed to be in there. That might explain some of my problems. Anyway, I also can not seem to get the primer bulb to fill. When I open the fuel tank, look in side and depress the primer bulb, air bubbles come out of the fuel filter. But when I let the bulb reexpand there’s no fuel that gets sucked up the hose. I can however seem to fill the primer bulb when the fuel tank is full and the chainsaw is laying on it?s pull cord side and the bulb is depressed a bunch of times. The saw will also start and run again for about 15 seconds then die. It’s definitely not getting/fuel and probably running out . Thanks.
I have a Craftsman Yard Man 6.5hp push mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine. The engine starts and runs fine for about 30 seconds or so then slowly dies out. It turns over slower and slower until it eventually dies. It seems to be running a bit rich and is blowing a bit of black smoke out the exhaust. I changed the oil, fuel, spark plug, air filter, and cleaned the carb. It was flooding so I replaced the needle seat in the carb and it no longer appears to be flooding but is still having the same problem. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.
ANSWER : Have you checked the choke that it is off after you get the engine started,the black smoke is definitely from the choke, if you take the carb off and check that the needle closes when it should,as one can easily do an adjustment by bending the float/tab,rgds
I have a Poulan push mower that after mowing in a ditch started making a loud noise and running rough. It almost sounded as if metal was hitting metal. The mower was vibrating more than normal. I checked under the mower and nothing is hitting. After a few times of stopping the mower engine because it sound as if it is going to die down the mower will not start now. The shaft does not appear bent and the blade appears ok. The mower has oil, a good spark plug and a clean air filter. It was running fine until that moment. I did not see anything that I hit but it is possible I hit something in the ditch like a pine cone or branch. What could the problem be and how would I go about fixing it?
ANSWER : If you are sure the oil level is correct then it sounds like it’s about to die, unfortunately. A pine cone shouldn’t cause any damage, but a large branch may do so. Was it smoking before you shut it down? The vibration could be caused from a bent blade. It could also be caused from a part breaking in the motor. I wish I could have given you better news!
Good Luck,
Jim
Have a 10.5 briggs that is pushing gas and oil out the blow by pipe.what can i do
ANSWER : The oil level is to high or air filter pluged.
YARD MACHINE MOWER NOT A YEAR OLD YET AND IT CRUDDIES UP EACH NEW SPARK PLUG AND SMOKES, NOT RUNNING WELL. ITS RUNS REAL FAST AND THEN REAL SLOW, SPUTTERS. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT AIR FILTER CLEAN AND OIL CHANGED. WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM? MY SON THINKS ITS THE RINGS AND SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT BACK TO HOME DEPOT BUT I’VE HAD IT FOR 11 MONTHS. WHAT SHOULD i do??
ANSWER : Return the mower if possible for warranty repair or call MTD with the issue. MTD mowers typically are good quality and should run like new for a long time with proper care. Depot may give you a 1-800 number instead of customer service so before you load up the mower talk to them. It does sound like a bad valve seat or rings either one is not typical wear and tear.
Petrol is spewing up from air filter on briggs and stratton 90208 ride on mower
ANSWER : Lol too much oil bud take a little out
I have a craftsman 25 cc string trimmer with fuel problems. After winter, ran tank of good fuel through it and it worked fine. Added fuel (unknowingly with water in it) and it ran on a slow idle and finally died. Drained fuel, took carb apart and cleaned, blowed out carb and reassembled. Still only ran on a slow idle – no throttle response. Took cover off with air cleaner and it ran fine. Seems to blow too much fuel out where filter sits. Put filter back on and runs on slow idle. Almost seems it is flooding, but have not adjusted anything, just cleaned. What do I need to do next?
ANSWER : You shouldn’t notice a difference if you remove the air filter. So I would replace it. Also if you are using compressed air to clean or blow-out the carb. Be careful, its not recommended and could make it worse.
Craftsman mower with 6.75 B&S motor will start and run fine for about 3-4 minutes and then slowly chokes out. I cleaned the air filter and need to know what to check next. Thanks.
ANSWER : Hi there
though you have cleaned the filter it could still be not getting enough air you can start the machine without it and see if stays running do not do work with it just see if it runs sitting there if it does simple fix new filter however if it does the same it is a lack of fuel either fuel filter if has one if not it will be in the carburater these get gumed up by old gas in which in that case find a small engine repair shop to take care of this issue
thank you for the question hope i helped with the issue good luck and have a great day
