Garden

Experienced gardeners share their insights in answering this question :
Does it have a priming bulb? Will it keep running if you keep pressing the bulb? If it does then there is dirt in your carb. clean it and your fuel tank out./.. should fix it.

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 :

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.
A dirty carburetor is the most common cause of a lawn mower that starts and then dies. Other possible causes include: Stale/Dirty Gas. Faulty Choke.
If your lawnmower starts up but then dies in the middle of mowing your lawn, you could have a bad spark plug. The spark plug works with the ignition coil to create a timed spark in the cylinder, causing combustion. The spark plug is really a very simple device.
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.
If the engine starts, but does not run smoothly, it means that the spark plug and ignition system are in order and you need to look elsewhere for the source of the problem. The usual culprit is air intake or fuel system related.
Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

It is one of the most common problems that cause lawnmowers to sputter. The mowers take the air from the surrounding through air filters and mix it with fuel inside the engine. So, if the air filter is clogged or dirty, it will affect the flow of air into the carburetor.

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.
Other things that could cause this issue are bad fuel, weak/colapsed/kinked fuel line, faulty spark plug, faulty ignition/coil, oil over full, clogged air filter, plugged/dirty carburetor, worn engine parts internal rings/valves/etc.
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.
Other things that could cause this issue are bad fuel, weak/colapsed/kinked fuel line, faulty spark plug, faulty ignition/coil, oil over full, clogged air filter, plugged/dirty carburetor, worn engine parts internal rings/valves/etc.
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.

Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

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

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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!!!

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My 42 in Craftsman Tractor will not start. It normally runs great. I went to start it the other day and it ran for about 5 seconds before shutting down. It felt like it was getting no fuel. Any Suggestions?
ANSWER : Try and run it with the gas cap loose the vent could be plugged also see if it cuts out while keeping you foot on the brake and its just a bad safety switch shutting it off

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Mower runs for about 5 min, than dies won’t restart . When cool start up ( craftsman 42 in deck 19.5 hp lawn tractor )
ANSWER : Check for spark when it dies you could have a bad coil

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<!– 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

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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

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13.5 hp craftsman runs rough hard to start – Craftsman 17.5 hp 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor – CA Model
ANSWER : Clean the carb jets

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Mower start up and runs, but starts to cut back, and smokes just a little bit. The mower stops smoking when it throttle up. It will continue to run but not at full throttle. I can hold a finger gently over the fuel primer bulb and it will throttle up for a small time.
ANSWER : It sounds like she’s being deprived of the correct fuel / air mixture due to a dirty carburetor (the biggest problem with mowers when gas is left to sit for a period of time). If you do not know how to take the carburetor apart and clean it thoroughly, then I suggest taking it to the local shop (hardware store or mower shop) and having it tuned up. It’ll probably be just fine and worth the money. Hope this helps and good luck.James

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