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You might try loosening the fuel cap just slightly after you stop the engine to see if that fixes the problem. I have a Hitachi hand held blower that had a similar problem, unless I loosened the cap after use. Pressure build up in the tank would force so much fuel through the carb, sometimes it...

No one wants to spend much for anything! Everyone has a different opinion as to what is too much, so it is best to determine the customer's perception of too much before starting. It could be obvious that repairs will be more expensive than they are willing to spend. I want to spend only enough...

If the fuel tank is located close to the engine, or above it, heat can radiate from the engine to the fuel in the tank when the air flow from movement is stopped. Still, I would think a 1/16" hole should sufficiently vent enough vapor to prevent pressure buildup. Have you tried removing the cap...

This might not be your problem but several symptoms are common with this problem. I've had neighbors leave the key on with mowers that have fuel shut-off solenoids on the carb bowl. It kills the battery and, if there is enough fuel in the tank, fuel overflows into the engine. After charging the...

I have read that 2 cycle oil tends to stabilize gasohol and have had no problems w/ 2-stroke engines. I had filled a couple of outboard tanks and added oil in anticipation of using my boat, which didn't happen, so after about 6 or 7 years I used the fuel in trimmers, chain saw, etc. w/o any...

Something to check for is flooding of the bottom end of the engine w/ fuel, which would make it too rich to fire. Enough fuel in the bottom end can make it hard to crank over, or even cause a hydraulic lock w/ the plug in. Fuel can saturate the air filter and be discharged from the muffler when...

If the engine ran w/o oil for any length of time, it might be damaged, which could cause oil consumption. Since this happened so soon after being new, it might be hard to determine if there was a defect or if it happened after the oil was lost during operation. If you have the ruptured filter...

Good call to cut twice; once at highest setting and again at normal setting. This should allow occasional use of mulching deck w/o over taxing the engine. Also, run the engine at higher RPM, especially when cutting high grass or uphill, etc., which causes a high load on the engine. Make sure the...

How much is the oil level dropping between changes? You'll need to know how much the oil level it dropping, in however many hours, if you get the dealer involved for a potential warranty issue. Are you checking the oil w/ the engine level after the oil has time to drain back into the crankcase...

The max. pressure on the sidewall is for the max. recommended load for the tire. The max. load should also be listed on the sidewall. Your mower is likely considerably lighter than the max. load rating for the tire. The recommended pressure in the owner's manual is based on the weight of the mower.

At TDC on the compression stroke, both valves will be closed (on their cam base circles). This is normally the proper position for adjusting the valves. I usually remove the spark plug when troubleshooting with a cool engine and put my finger over the plug hole while manually turning over the...

If you decide to rebuild the carb, get a rebuild kit with all the gaskets, o-rings, float needle/seat, etc. That should resolve not having a part that needs to be replaced once you get it apart.

Could it be a failed cam-mounted decompression mechanism that is used on some B&S engines? Symptoms sound similar to engines with this common problem.

I once stored 5 gallons of premixed 2 cycle oil in regular pump gasohol in a portable sealed plastic outboard fuel tank for 5 years without problems. I used it in my trimmer/chainsaw, etc. without issue. Long ago I read that 2 cycle oil will stabilize gasohol. A sealed container prevents...

Sometimes a smoke wrench is required too.

I've found Kroil penetrant to be better than most for rusted bolts/nuts that have become one with the threads. It might take a while for the Kroil to seep into the threads. As a last resort, short of cutting the bolt off, a torch or heat gun judicially applied to the end of the blade shaft where...

Were the voltage readings that you took at the regulator taken w/ with the clutch engaged? How do the resistance readings of the disconnected (wiring) clutches compare? Have you checked the voltage at/near the clutch w/ and w/o it engaged? Could be a switch or wiring issue.

The oil level would have dropped gradually as the oil was blown out of the dip stick tube, so the amount of running at the lowest level was probably a fraction of the total run time. If there was still enough oil to maintain system pressure, there might be little or no damage. The oil...

I once found grass clippings jamming a safety switch beneath the mower (can't remember which one, as it was years ago). I look for easy things first before trying to engage my thought processes, which can be an ugly sight.

With all belt tension off the pulley, try moving the idler pulley around to see how much play is in the pulley/mounting bracket assembly. The photo helps identify how much the pulley is out of alignment, but it doesn't readily show which component is causing it. Put hands on it to see if there...

I have a gifted Husqvarna chainsaw, a Poulan Pro pole-saw/trimmer, a Ryobi trimmer, a gifted Hitachi blower, a very old not-so-used gifted Weed Eater hedge trimmer, and a well-used McCullough chainsaw, that are all still going strong. I've also had 2-cycle off-road motorcycles: a Yamaha, several...

You should be able to measure the resistance with an ohm meter between the terminals of the brake switch with the wires removed, and the brake pedal depressed. Or just jump the two wires together to see if it will start when bypassing the switch.

I don't know what the compression test pressure should be on your engine, but you indicate that both cylinders are very nearly the same pressure. It is likely that a leaking head gasket, valve, rings, cracked head, etc., on one cylinder would cause a pressure imbalance between cylinders...

When I have problems starting a small 2-stroke engine after priming and choking it and pulling it over a number of times, I go through a troubleshooting routine: I pull the plug to see if it is dry or damp with fuel. If damp, I turn the choke off and open the throttle fully while I pull it over...

Just a thought based on the symptoms you described: If the tank has enough particulates to restrict flow, try draining the tank by gravity into a container through the fuel hose disconnected before the fuel pump, or filter if the filter is on the inlet side of the pump, to see if it flows...

Propane is used to pressurize the WD40 and force it out of the can, so if squirted in as the engine is turning over, it can ignite in the cylinder.

Soaking the threads w/ penetrating oil (Kroil if possible) can sometimes work wonders. Putting a large hammer on one side of the nut and striking the opposite side of the nut with another hammer can sometimes help loosen the nut. Heating the nut slightly w/ a torch sometimes helps. There are...

If the engine is not firing, valve clearances shouldn't be of concern until it is firing. You can check the compression with a gauge while cold, then when hot, to see if a valve gets lifted when hot. Coils are prone to heat related failure, causing problems that can resolve when they cool. As...

In addition to the other tips already offered, if the key is left on when the engine isn't running, the carb solenoid valve will be open until the battery goes dead. When the fuel tank is located above the level of the carburetor, a leaky needle and seat can cause fuel to overflow from the carb...