n and the fumes coming out of the mower near about killed me. So this year we purchased a brand new Poulan Push Mower – model 961120083. Just brought it home on Saturday – last night we used it for the first time – guess what – the engine revs up and down just like the old one. Almost to the point of stalling and again the fumes are bad. It can’t be a dirty mower it’s brand new. What’s up with their mowers?
“Poulan” Push Mower
Experienced gardeners share their insights in answering this question :
There seems to be one common source for gas for the 2 mowers. You could be placing old or contaminated gas in the NEW and OLD mowers. The fumes comment you made leads me to think that the problem is with the fuel itself. Old gas smell horrible. Sniff test the gs can you use for filling the mowers. If it smells awful you know you need to get rid of the contents of the can rinse it and then re-fill it. There may even be water in the gas can that went straight into your new mower. IF you drain the gas from your mower and gas can and start anew and the problem persists then you should immediately seek warranty service for you new mower.
With the 2 mowers having different engines and the same problem it just points to the gas supply as the source of the problem.
Thanks for using Fixya.
Kelly
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 :
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.
The primary reason why your lawn mower might be revving too high is that the engine is receiving too much fuel or air. This can be due to various factors, including a clogged air filter, a malfunctioning carburetor, or an issue with the governor.
If your lawnmower`s engine is surging it could be a problem with the carburetor. The carburetor mixes air and fuel to the perfect ratio for combustion. There are passages and nozzles (called jets) that route the fuel through the carburetor. The jets meter the precise amount of fuel that is needed for combustion.
Most often, over-revving occurs not because of a deliberate attempt to push a vehicle, but rather as a result of missing a gear while shifting. When a manual car accidentally downshifts, a rev limiter will not be able to react quickly enough to prevent the engine from over-revving.
Troubleshooting a lawn mower that is surging
Check the air vent on the fuel tank cap. Clear the vent hole if it`s clogged. Replace or clean the air filter if it`s dirty.
Gasoline that contains alcohol has a tendency to ignite easier, which can cause afterfire. Small engine muffler type and manufacture. Carburetor adjustment may not be properly set for correct engine performance. Anti-afterfire solenoid may not be working properly.
Run it at full throttle
A: Absolutely–and in fact, you should! You are correct in observing that your cut quality is better when your mower operates at full throttle. Lawn equipment (including lawn mowers, lawn tractors, and even trimmers and blowers) is designed to run at full throttle to give the best performance.
What`s The Benefit Of A High Revving Engine? Simply put, power is the biggest benefit of a high revving engine. Horsepower is a function of torque and engine RPM. Increase max RPM or torque, and power goes up.
Among the potential underlying causes are vacuum leaks, EGR system malfunctions, malfunctioning oxygen sensors, dirty fuel injectors, fuel pump malfunction, faulty spark plugs, a faulty mass airflow sensor, or a faulty throttle position sensor.
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.
Stale fuel, dirt, and debris are the most common cause of outdoor power equipment not starting or running properly. If you store equipment with untreated gas in the tank, it can lead to engine damage.
Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue
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We had a Poulan lawn mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine last year that started with the engine revving problem. The RPMs would go up and down and the fumes coming out of the mower near about killed me. So this year we purchased a brand new Poulan Push Mower – model 961120083. Just brought it home on Saturday – last night we used it for the first time – guess what – the engine revs up and down just like the old one. Almost to the point of stalling and again the fumes are bad. It can’t be a dirty mower it’s brand new. What’s up with their mowers?
ANSWER : There seems to be one common source for gas for the 2 mowers. You could be placing old or contaminated gas in the NEW and OLD mowers. The fumes comment you made leads me to think that the problem is with the fuel itself. Old gas smell horrible. Sniff test the gs can you use for filling the mowers. If it smells awful you know you need to get rid of the contents of the can rinse it and then re-fill it. There may even be water in the gas can that went straight into your new mower. IF you drain the gas from your mower and gas can and start anew and the problem persists then you should immediately seek warranty service for you new mower.
With the 2 mowers having different engines and the same problem it just points to the gas supply as the source of the problem.
Thanks for using Fixya.
Kelly
Read Full Q/A … : “Poulan” Push Mower
MY POULAN PRO 6.5 WONT START….nEED TO REPLACE SPARL PLUG BUT DO NOT KNOW ‘right one”..
ANSWER : Take the old plug out, any auto store should be able to match it up.
Gary
Read Full Q/A … : “Poulan” Push Mower
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.
Read Full Q/A … : “Poulan” Push Mower
Help with the lawnmower. It starts and stalls after a few seconds
ANSWER : Check the fuel system clean the carb .
Read Full Q/A … : “Poulan” Push Mower
My Toro mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine starts and then cuts off after a few seconds. How do I fix this?
ANSWER : If it starts on choke and then stops may need to clean out carby and fuel tank
Read Full Q/A … : “Poulan” Push Mower
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
Read Full Q/A … : “Poulan” Push Mower
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!!!
Read Full Q/A … : “Poulan” Push Mower
How do I remove and clean air filter? – Briggs & Stratton Lawn-Boy 10640 20-Inch 6.5 HP Gas Powered Lawn Mower
ANSWER : There should be a square of plastic on the side of the engine which is opposite of the muffler. It has a small hex head with a slot cut in it. Remove this plastic cover and the air cleaner should be inside of it.
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