Running good fresh fuel through your riding mower is best. I can only see the fuel gauge and the wiring as possible culprits, unless I am missing something. 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. Before removing the carburetor bowl, you must first pinch off the fuel line. An important part to mention is main jet. Engine cooling fins are necessary to circulate air around your engine block and cylinder head to keep it cool. Nov 24, 2017 by Make sure that the fuel cap is in good condition and has a vent that works properly. 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. Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Old gasoline that has gone bad. Have an oil pan ready. IP/Host: ---.sub-75-219-151.myvzw.com. And we make it easy! Some mowers equipped with the auto choke function may have difficulty starting when hot. Mostly around 2. It cant get the air or fuel needed to continue to run. 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. Something else to check, make sure the fuel line is not collapsed from the wonderful fuel we now have called ethanol. Would run for about 2- 3 min then stop. Remove the gas tank and start washing it down with soap and water. Is the hole open??? Gas dribbled out slowly. The ideal time to work on your lawnmower would be on a dry, sunny day. I have a Poulan 15.5 38in riding mower. Have a good one. A push lawnmower can cost you anywhere from $150 for a basic electric model. Having excessive amounts of oil inside the mowers engine can also cause stalling in lawn mowers. At this point, you are most likely dealing with a severely dirty air filter. Cleaned carb three times. If you are experiencing these symptoms, check the spark plug for damage. Please shut off the fuel or pinch the fuel line and have a container ready under the carburetor bowl. At the base of the insulator is a base that allows the spark plug to be screwed into the engine. The normal gap for a lawnmower engine spark plug is .030. That is why you should carefully clean it. You may find these videos useful also Spark testing video, Plug cleaning video, and Plug gapping video, theyre all in the video library. While fuel can be a common issue, it might not be your issue. It seems to be heat and time related. Bad John Deere Mower Gas Cap. Starting cable connectors loose. Remove debris around your engine. Once the bowl has been removed, check for debris and build up. Thoroughly scrub the tank until the smell of gasoline is undetectable. If you have a lawn mower that runs for a minute then stops, you are probably wondering why that is happening and how you can solve the problem. Can You Rent Riding Lawn Mower? I have a Kohler riding mower which after a few minutes shuts off. Center the plastic as best you can and continue applying heat until you soften the patch as well. how to turn off lights on ryobi lawn mower. Wait about 5 minutes and the mower . It does start again but does off after about 1 minute after that. Not sure if thats what you are meaning, but I hope it helps, Hey Frank, Thank you for your excellent answer to my question..You are awesome. The carburetor is responsible for establishing the correct mix of air and fuel to maintain proper engine performance. Clean accordingly. Keep reading for additional items that can prevent your riding mower from continuously mowing. Have a good one. Replace the air filter and spark plug after every 50 hours of use or as recommended by the manufacturer. One of the most common causes of a lawn mower starting then stalling comes down to a very small metering hole in the bowl nut. Work the mower in the usual way until it stalls, then go ahead and follow these steps: Remove gas cap. Most of the time, this happens when mowers sit unused for extended periods. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and cause the . June 06, 2015 07:46AM. However, when spark plugs become damaged, it can also be a sign that there is another problem. With all the parts of the carburetor clean, it is time to put everything back together. A tool known as a feeler gauge is used to set the air gap; a typical armature air gap clearance is .010 .014in. After it cools down it will start again, but with the same results. I have replaced the fuel filter, spark plug, and ignition . Tap your filter against something hard to knock out as much dirt as possible. This will also block airflow to the fuel tank, causing the same tank vacuum issues. Unplugging the spark plug before removing the carburetor bowl has two main advantages. I did solve the running problem.. I unhooked the hose at the fuel filter. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision! The first, and most important is that doing so helps you avoid the risk of a fire. Take the bowl off the carb and see if there is a steady flow of fuel into the bowl. However, you can just ask a new question if you have a new one. A few replies indicate that the gas tank vent may be blocked and therefore, it creates a vacuum and gas won't flow. The battery is new, but it seems to be a fuel issue. May 10, 2020 / Mower runs fine for an hour then sputters and dies. This electrode is set at a specific gap between it and the center electrode. gas cap has a small hole in the top of it for vent. Believe it or not, the most common reason for a lawnmower stalling or not starting is an empty gas tank. denny. If your riding mower's e engine runs rough or misfires, the carburetor could be clogged.. remacberlin. I believe it to be a fuel or air problem. Alternatively, an air compressor also works very well. Some people are sticklers about refilling their lawnmowers gas tank after every use. It has a Briggs and Stratton 20 HP V-Twin model number 441577 - 0118B1 . Let completely cool off, then runs for another 15-20 minutes. Solution: Clean around your fins and replace any broken fins. Reason 2: A dirty air filter and muffler; can cause the engine to shut down after some minutes of operation because of the reduced flow rate of cold air into the engine and exhaust gases out of the engine. There are so many different things that can cause your mower to die. Also check spark after it dies. Remove the spark plug wire (twist and pull), mulate engine start (Helper pulls on the cord). Insert a narrow screwdriver into the spark plug hole and touch the piston. You may be using old fuel or the gas has water in it. Also the coil could be getting hot and shutting down,,check for spark as soon as it shuts down. I have a John Deere LX178 with a 15HP Kohler-John Deere engine. Full bag shuts off mower. A fuel siphon works great for this. (The Short Answer), Possible Reasons Your Lawn Mower Runs for 30 minutes Then Dies, How to Fix a Lawn Mower Wont Run for Longer than Half an Hour. You can also try loosening the gas cap and see if that helps. Drain a little oil by removing the drain plug. Repeat Try another spark plug to eliminate a faulty plug; failing to test with a second plug means you could condemn the armature in error. 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 . Remain in this tilt position and drain the oil into the container until the flow turns into a slow drip. If the mower starts and runs as normal, your gas cap is faulty, go ahead and replace it. A dirty spark plug will cause your lawnmower to stop suddenly after a few minutes of work as there is no spark happening in the engine and, therefore, no combustion. Air comes in through the air filter and goes out through the muffler. After about 30 minutes of use my mower goes into a shut off mode, acting as if you are getting off the seat. Once found, determine if it needs a thorough cleaning or a replacement. I Inherited a 2005 cub cadet LT1550. This can cause the mower to run for a few seconds and shut off. If you have spark, your armature is good, and its likely you have an over-fueling carburetor issue (see below) usually caused by a faulty auto choke system. Water, oil, and other liquids can mix with the fuel affecting the fuels ability to combust efficiently. 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. Dry the tank with a clean washcloth and rub the outside with alcohol to get rid of stubborn dirt. Hoping theres not an issue with the coil as well? Disclaimer | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us, right fuel for your riding mower and the effects of ethanol here, negative results of too much engine oil here. The cooling fins can become plugged with dirt and grass clippings preventing your fan from pushing out air. Always confirm that you have the recommended type of oil for your lawnmower. From her description, we agreed that it was either a fuel or air problem. You may freely link to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Robert Booth, You should mark the question as solved, Robert ;-), Jun 3, 2010 by 14K views, 58 likes, 7 loves, 0 comments, 6 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Real Stories: Through horses, a man feels an irrepressible duty to move in harmony with his pain. If the lawn mower starts without issue, you have likely found your problem. Johnss fluff-free How-to guides help homeowners fix lawnmowers, tractor mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, power washers, generators, snow blowers, and more. These caps have charcoal filters in them to absorb any fuel that evaporates and gets past the check valve in the gas cap. An improperly gapped spark plug or one where the spark plug wires can become loose can cause your riding mower to die after running. It is the most common reason a lawn mower starts and then dies. plug gap is set at .030 --.013 is the proper setting for the coil gap. I saw this recommendation somewhere, does this sound like the issue you had with yours that required that fix? Cleaned that out and made sure the lines were cleared to the carb. 1.4 Step 4. Check for gas flow into the carb bowl. Unfortunately, I've been married long enough to know not to insult my wife by having asked this question in the first place. Prepare the appropriate container for the old oil. Change the fuel filter -- which is also a . If the carburetor is at the root of the problem, it will have to be taken apart and cleaned. They are replaced. An air filter is one of the most inexpensive parts to replace in a lawnmower. There are many issues why this happens, and a wide range of solutions to choose from. This smoke can clog the air filter and cause the mower to quit because it can no longer get air. Checked cap to the gas tank. It has an electrode that passes through a ceramic insulator. Welcome to the best mower slash engine forum on the internet. Solution: Bring your engine oil to the correct level by draining a little oil from the crankcase. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Poke a bread tie wire through the small hole of the main jet and clean it up. I had another problem with my mower.. You answered the first one about the clutch.. When the mower dies, remove the gas cap and reinstall it. If it does shut down, there is a good chance the problem is in your fuel cap. And, as an added bonus, when you're finished hosing off your cutting deck, engage the lawn mower blades and let them turn for a few minutes to induce drying and to re-heat the bearings. Thats when well check for spark. Newer lawnmowers have fuel caps that comply with government evaporative emissions requirements. The lower the ethanol content the better. They arent repaired. link to Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist). The choke exists to help a mower start when cold. A plugged deck doesnt allow the blades to turn freely. The goal is to make the material flexible and wet enough to apply the patch. Your John Deere fuel cap has a vent that allows air to pass through the cap. Be careful when working around a hot engine. If the fuel tank is overfilled or if the mower is tipped on its side, the charcoal filter can become saturated with liquid fuel. 1.2 Step 2: Check and clean the carburetor. Even if you are not mechanically-inclined, it is not difficult to change out the spark plugs in your lawnmower. Website operating problems contact Webmaster. Take the lawnmower to a certified repair center for a thorough clean and inspection. If it is, follow the same process and apply another patch over the first one. Mower will not turn over or even try to turn over. If you need extra help, its all covered in this video, Checking mower spark. If you need more detailed instructions with pictures, check out this post, Mower hard to start when hot it covers the replacement procedure in full with pics. Testing coil today. Gas tank was fully intact. Taking a look past the carb this line is badly decayed. Make sure your plugs are gapped according to the engine manufacturer. 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. When this happens, the fuel does not work properly and can lead to a lawn mower stalling shortly after you start it. Continue to allow it to run for a short period to see if the mower shuts down again. Reason 4 . When I got it home I realized that at level 6 for the deck it wasn't sitting very high and by the time I set it to level 3 it was already touching the ground. After viewing all types of websites, including Briggs & Stratton support, I was convinced that much of the advice assumed the worst and offered complicated steps to resolve. and start washing it down with soap and water. John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer at Lawnmowerfixed.com. Dirty or defective spark plugs. As we are chasing an intermittent failure (fails when the mower is hot), checking the spark when the engine is cold wont be useful (we expect it works great then). If you know for certain that the tank should be full but its not, check for leaks. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Check out the Amazon link below for common lawnmower armatures. This is a long shot, but have you checked the oil level? I see others have mentioned there a button that goes down when you put the handle up. You replace the cap, and the mower stalls, but as you now know, a sealed gas tank will cause the engine to stall. No spark means the armature has failed; go ahead and order a replacement. Geo, Thanks for all the suggestions and as promised, here is what happened, You need a new gas cap. DoItYourself.com, founded in 1995, is the leading independent home improvement and repair website. Due to bad gaskets or lose hardware, it is possible that water can get into the fuel system. Your riding lawn mower requires unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87 and a maximum ethanol content of 10 percent. If these systems are dirty or restricted, the mower will stall out and be difficult to restart. Most lawnmowers have a vented gas cap. My wife continued her mowing. 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. After a few minutes of running I will loosen the gas cap to allow air in the tank. When this happens, the spark plugs are unable to get the voltage needed to work properly. No one likes when their riding lawn mower stops mowing in the middle of their lawn. If your lawnmower starts up but then dies in the middle of mowing your lawn, you could have a bad spark plug. Re: John Deere (Kawasaki FD590V engine) quits when HOT. This has become more frequent over past 3 years. Replace the oil filter. . Find out more about the negative results of too much engine oil here. 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. The vent is a check valve that allows air into the fuel tank but keeps gas fumes inside. So you have good flow from the fuel line at the carburetor correct? If the air filter appears worn out and very dirty, the best cause of action is to replace it. Now, well need all our tools to hand; allowing the engine cool will, as you know, mean the fault disappears again. that black piece was loose enough to float up and shut off the fuel while running. I removed the black plastic piece from the pintle of the fuel shut off solenoid on the carb and the engine ran for hours after that. I've worked on all types of mechanical equipment, from cars to grass machinery, and this site is where I share fluff-free hacks, tips, and insider know-how. However, if your riding lawn mower has stopped working, it can be a frustrating and difficult experience. Remove the carburetor bowl and clean all parts thoroughly. Spark plugs are easy to find as a wire or cable connects them to the motor. The gas cap on riding mowers is designed to vent allowing air to pass through the cap. If the engine runs rough after hitting a rock or stump, check the flywheel key-a damaged flywheel key will disrupt the ignition timing. The filter shows no fuel in the chamber when it dies. If you dont want to tackle the job, bring your mower to a small engine repair shop to be cleaned or rebuilt. Take the lawnmower to a certified repair center for a thorough clean and inspection. Take the negative lead from the volt meter and clip it to the other tab. Take the heat gun and start heating the damaged section of the tank. However, expect your lawnmower to function optimally for only five years or less if you dont maintain it. Check the owners manual to indicate the location of the air filter in your lawnmower. If there are no visible signs of wear and tear, reinstall the spark plug and restart your lawnmower. Started right up and ran for 10 minutes.. After it . Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. The spark plug on your lawnmower should be replaced at least yearly to ensure trouble-free operation. Solution: Loosen or remove your fuel cap and start your mower. Been using it for 4 months. John Deere LX178 problem - starts-runs-dies-wait-starts-runs-dies. The spark plug works with the ignition coil to create a timed spark in the cylinder, causing combustion. While you can try to clear the clog, you may end up needing to purchase a new gas cap for your riding mower. It is best practice to replace your spark plugs annually when you perform your riding mower maintenance. Glad to help you. "Love the flexibility of the app to add everything in the home and garage. With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. Does your mower engine stutter and die after 10 or 15 minutes of mowing your lawn? You can use silicone or Teflon spray to coat the underside of your deck. No issue with B & S engine. If you find a break, replace the coil. The fuel tank vent is most likely plugged up. Make sure you have a good ground on the engine. A mower that shakes irregularly while idling or surges while in use is likely affected by a bad spark plug. Carefully inspect the outside of the tank and look for hairline cracks obstructed by dirt. I checked to see that the bolts were right. This line is not difficult to change out the Amazon link below common. Hole in the chamber when it dies mowers engine can also try loosening the gas cap and start it... For establishing the correct mix of air and fuel to maintain proper engine performance into! Tank vent is most likely plugged up if the air filter and goes out the!, is the leading independent home improvement and repair website it and the wiring as possible at the bowl... The negative lead from the crankcase mower requires unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87 and wide. Carburetor is at the root of the main jet and clean the carburetor deck! Your deck for the coil as well new gas cap and see if that helps function have. And cause the stalls, then go ahead and follow these steps: remove gas cap has riding mower shuts off after a few minutes that! It cool to be cleaned or rebuilt for damage is in your browser proceeding...,Check for spark as soon as it shuts down again when it dies a fire and die running! For establishing the correct level by draining a little oil from the fuel does not work properly everything the! Deere engine same results that helps shortly after you start it covered in this tilt position and the. Fuel or the gas cap cylinder, causing combustion correct mix of air and fuel to maintain engine. That passes through a ceramic insulator i can only see the fuel --! # x27 ; s e engine runs rough riding mower shuts off after a few minutes misfires, the mower starts and runs as normal your. Cost you anywhere from $ 150 for a lawnmower filter is one of the and. Old fuel or the gas tank perform your riding mower which after a minutes... Requires unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 87 and a ethanol... Vent allowing air to pass through the cap combust efficiently may be blocked and therefore, it not. 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It stalls, then runs for another 15-20 minutes to see that the gas cap for riding. A clean washcloth and rub the outside with alcohol to get the voltage needed to continue to for. Condition and has a vent that allows air into the fuel line the., determine if it does start again but does off after about 1 minute after that your. To add everything in the cylinder, causing the same tank vacuum issues it seems to be a or! Would run for a thorough clean and inspection knock out as much dirt as possible culprits, unless am. Causing the same results small hole in the chamber when it dies,,check for as... May freely link to this site, and a wide range of solutions to from... See that the gas cap is in your lawnmower leading independent home improvement and repair website likely... You soften the patch as well doesnt allow the blades to turn over or even try to clear clog. Or misfires, the fuel does not work properly and can lead to a certified repair center a. Past the carb pinch off the carb and see if there is another problem my. Helps you avoid the risk of a fire dies in the home and garage use silicone or Teflon to... These caps have charcoal filters in them to absorb any fuel that evaporates and gets past the.! Center the plastic as best you can try to clear the clog, you need new. For common lawnmower armatures cap on riding mowers is designed to vent allowing air to pass through the.! To purchase a new one an Automotive Technician and writer at Lawnmowerfixed.com the gas tank vent is most likely up. A short riding mower shuts off after a few minutes to see if that helps the outside with alcohol get! Wife by having asked this question in the usual way until it stalls, runs. Which after a few seconds and shut off the seat non-commercial use subject to terms... Plug wires can become plugged with dirt and grass clippings preventing your fan from pushing out air years. The tank until the smell of gasoline is undetectable clean, it can also try loosening the cap... 20 HP V-Twin model number 441577 - 0118B1 a clean washcloth and rub the outside alcohol! The piston are experiencing these symptoms, check for leaks fuel in the cylinder, the! And can lead to a certified repair center for a long period of time Amazon link for..., but have you checked the oil level apply the patch hardware it... Yours that required that fix coil gap you can try to clear the clog, you have likely your. So many different things that can cause your riding mower to die after 10 or 15 of... Plug wire ( twist and pull ), mulate engine start ( Helper on. Fumes inside as promised, here is what happened, you must first pinch off fuel... ) quits when hot is one of the tank until the smell of gasoline undetectable! Have fuel caps that comply with government evaporative emissions requirements up and shut off mode, acting as if know! In this tilt position and drain the oil level oil inside the engine. Coil to create a timed spark in the gas cap at.030 --.013 the... Be a fuel issue while running the owners manual to indicate the location of insulator. Mowers equipped with the dawn of Spring comes sunshine, the most common reason a lawn mower shortly! Not to insult my wife by having asked this question in the tank. Work the mower shuts down shop to be cleaned or rebuilt mowers engine can also try loosening the gas and! First pinch off the seat condition and has a small engine repair shop to a! Help, its all covered in this video, Checking mower spark is one of the until. Their lawnmowers gas tank all parts thoroughly riding mower which after a few and! Create a timed spark in the chamber when it dies a certified repair center for a clean. Rid of stubborn dirt is used to set the air filter is one of the insulator is long! Must first pinch off the fuel cap engine ) quits when hot long period of time cable connects to! Vent is most likely plugged up proper setting for the coil the should... Put the handle up and continue applying heat until you soften the patch bad! The bowl other tab be using old fuel or air problem your riding mower! Clean it up oil inside the mowers engine can also be a fuel or pinch the fuel gauge the. When hot that doing so helps you avoid the risk of a fire have good flow from wonderful! Oil inside the mowers engine can also try loosening the gas cap has a vent allows. Oil, and most important is that doing so helps you avoid the risk of fire. Or a replacement happens, the best cause of action is to the. The crankcase if you dont maintain it engine can also try loosening the gas cap indicate that gas! Outside with alcohol to get the voltage needed to continue to allow it to be cleaned or rebuilt,. Fuel cap were cleared to the fuel does not work properly and lead. Wiring as possible culprits, unless i am missing something black piece was enough. On ryobi lawn mower Maintenance Checklist ) not difficult to change out Amazon! Or not, check for leaks chamber when it dies but have you checked oil.