Mower Keeps Dying

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Dirtfan15

Forum Newbie
Got a Hustler Fas Trak SD model 928267 that is kicking my butt. Got it out this spring and it wouldn't start. Found out the battery was bad so I replaced it. Topped it off with fresh gas and it started right up no problems. Pulled it outside, engaged the deck and it died. After that it would start but spit and sputtered like it was starved of gas. After a couple of hours it started and ran fine. Pulled the deck button and same thing happened. Noticed that there was very little fuel in the filter so I thought maybe the fuel pump was going bad. Put a new one on and the same process happened again. Had a guy suggest to replace the fuel lines on one side to see if one was collapsed. Replaced it on one side, mower fired up, went outside, engaged the deck and it kept running. Figured perfect, that was the issue all along. Started mowing but every time i hit a bump it would start spitting and sputtering but never died. Made it through the whole yard and got it put away. So then i started to think maybe a safety switch but I didn't think that fit the problems before. Yesterday, it started fine, pulled it outside and when I leaned back in the seat it made it spit and sputter and then it died. I was able to get it to fire again but it would run rough and die. Made me think it might be the seat sensor. Let it sit for about an hour and then it fired right back up. Engaged the deck which made it run rough again. Was able to get it back into the garage before it died. Just baffled at this point. Any help would be appreciatted
 
Check fuel flow. Pull fuel line at carb. Does it flow freely? If not, blow compressed air into line, remove gas cap first. If that gets it flowing, you need to clean the tank. If it flowed well, move to the carb. Pull the bowl. Does fuel flow? If you lift and lower the float, does it stop and start flow? Check the solenoid. If all that tests good, check electrical. It sounds like crud in the tank to me. That can work fine, then clog and kill the engine. After a while, some of the crud settles, and it will start again, and clog again.
 
there might be a little water in the fuel would be my first guess. A wiring fault as my second guess, or debris in the fuel tank my third guess. Try adding a some 99% Isopropyl alcohol to the fuel tank, or some HEET or any other additive that removes water.
 
So, if you haven't done it yet, pull fuel line off the carb, and drain into a jar. Drain a couple of inches, and let it sit, and see if there's water present. Forgot that part.
 
Did you treat the gas with stabilizer over the winter? Guessing not.

Need to pull the battery before it gets cold at your house. Take it inside in a conditioned space. Hook it to a Battery Tender over the winter. Reinstall in the spring. Will make the battery last a lot longer.
 
Your initial description of the problem points toward condensation moisture droplets that have collected (due to constant weather changes) and settled in the bottom of the fuel tank. Simply adding new fuel does not make the aged fuel "new again" or break down water droplets.

One thing that may help this condition is adding a few caps full of rubbing (Isopropyl) alcohol to the fuel tank and then go out and drive the mower around so it can capture and break down the moisture droplets.

The alcohol in most fuels is hygroscopic and collects moisture because it is refined from plant-based products such as wood (Methanol), corn or sugar beets (Ethanol).

Rubbing (Isopropyl) alcohol is petroleum based and breaks up moisture droplets so they can be drawn in with the fuel.

The different alcohols react differently with moisture/ water. Alcohol in all forms is flammable with higher BTU ratings than plain gasoline, but Isopropyl is much more expensive to manufacture so it is not practical to mix it with the fuel like they do Ethanol.

The petro-chemical industry makes huge profits by dividing out the different alcohols during refining and production.
 
Mark H_NO said:
It sounds like crud in the tank to me. That can work fine, then clog and kill the engine. After a while, some of the crud settles, and it will start again, and clog again.
Click to expand...
Adding to this.

It all starts here fella's. Yes your gas can spout. Most people never talk about this even on here.

Middle spout is great. Far right spout is the trouble maker.

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Some gas caps have a gasket that can break up and fall into the tank. Easily clog the tank outlet or more.
 
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