Bilt 5.5hp Self Propelled Mower

My mower starts just fine but instantly shuts off each time. It will not continue running.
Experienced gardeners share their insights in answering this question :
Either water in carb bowl or plugged high speed jet

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If your lawnmower is starting and then stalling, the most likely issue is the carburetor. The most common issue is that the carburetor is dirty. Here`s what you need to know about how a dirty carburetor can cause a lawnmower to start, then stall out and die.
If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that`s happening: Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl. Old gasoline that has gone bad. Dirty or defective spark plugs.
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.
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.
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.
Q. Why is my lawn mower turning over but not starting? The most likely reason is bad gas. Gas that sits for many months during the off-season will eventually break down, gumming up the fuel line and carburetor in the engine and preventing it from starting.
Potential causes. Dieseling can occur for several reasons: Built-up carbon in the ignition chamber can glow red after the engine is off, providing a mechanism for igniting unburnt fuel. Such a thing can happen when the engine runs very rich, depositing unspent fuel and particles on the pistons and valves.
A dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of a poorly running lawn mower, since it starves the engine of the oxygen needed for combustion. Fuel Filter: Check the fuel filter on the mower to make sure it`s clean, and replace it if needed.
How Long Do Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers Last? A self-propelled mower should last eight years or more, depending on how often it`s used. (Most manufacturers rate their mowers for a set number of service hours.) There`s no significant difference in the service life of a self-propelled mower versus a standard push model.
As with most gas-powered lawn mowers, hold down the handlebar and pull the cord. Then pull up on the drive lever to engage the drive system. For a battery-powered motor, push the start button and pull on the handle to start moving forward.
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.
The most common reason for a surging lawn mower engine is a blockage in the fuel supply, but there are other possibilities: Bad gas. Bad spark plug. Dirty/faulty carburetor.
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.

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.
Use Carburetor Cleaner

Fortunately, you can generally do this without even taking the carburetor out of the engine. Start by purchasing some commercial lawnmower carburetor cleanerOpens a new window, which comes in a simple spray can and will make it easy to clean the inside and outside of the carb.

A dirty carburetor is one of the most common causes for a lawn mower not being able to start after sitting unused for months or years at a time.
Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

Dirty air filters are one of the most common reasons lawn mowers sputter. Dirt can be present in the apertures that lead from the carburetor and the fuel filter and interrupt the flow of fuel supply to the combustion chamber. You want to be sure to clean or replace dirty air filters.

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I have had a poulan pro 550 series push mower for almost 1 year at the end of the season last year the mower would start briefly and then stop. i have cleaned out the air filter and that did not help.the mower started, i made one revolution around the yard 3/4th of the way the mower quit. I then primed the mower it started then quit and now it will not start at all. Does anyone have any suggestions of what to do. Thanks
ANSWER : There is a little spring that works the carburetor arm. If that popped off then the mower will not run.

I have trouble starting a toro walk behind mower
ANSWER : All, I thought my carb was shot, so I replaced it. Still, start but no run (and had to use starting fluid). THEN!!! I noticed the spring to the “rev limiter” (just below and towards rear of carb) was not “tight”. The stupid bracket that holds the end of that spring had been bent down ~1/16″ and that caused all this heartache. CHECK YOUR REV LIMITER!!!

Lawn mower will start and run for 5 seconds and shut down
ANSWER : Will it stay running with your choke on? if so then clean your carb. if not then look for a blockage from tank to carb. ie fuel shut off, deteriorated fuel line. plugged filter etc

<!– from fixya rte –>Rj19lm plug gap for a 195cc 4cyl lawnboy – Lawn-Boy lawnboy" Mower Blade 21"
ANSWER : As a starting point in my shop i always use 0.30 in. For all my mowers

Lawn mower cranck but wont start…
ANSWER : Since you already checked for spark and air I would drain all the fuel out of it and check that fuel for water. Over time some lawn mowers end up with contaminated fuel. You can see the water sitting on the bottom of the fuel if you let it stand for a bit in a small plastic bowl.

Be sure to empty and dry out you fuel can as well. Especially if the mower stopped running right after a refuel. Which is a good sign your gas can is contaminated too.

Wont start no ignition put new plug in and fuel filter
ANSWER : Flush gas tank, fill with fresh gas and Stabil. Replace air filter. Remove bowl from carb clean bowl and holes in bowl screw.

Why wont my mower start and gas comes out of muffler
ANSWER : Carb is flooding out ether bad plug or your carberator needs rebuilt

Mower starts and immediately shuts off and wont start again if i let it sit for five minutes it does the same thing checked oil and air filter carb is clean attempting to find correct socket to remove plug
ANSWER : Pull the fuel line from the carb & see if it is running steady, If so the next check is the carb bowl to see if maybe the float needle is partly plugged, and then it could be the valve lash clearance which will require more mechanical knowledge.