2004 Simplicity Regent with 16HP Honda Engine

[MARSR]

When it turns 45-50 degrees and I start the tractor it runs very rough, sometimes for 10 - 15 minutes like the choke is on. You can smell the gas during this period if I have a load on it like the blades on the deck. When it warms up it runs fine. It does not burn any oil and during the summer it fires right up and runs flawlessly. I run premium, non-ethanol gas since new. The dealer has replaced the carburetor and it has not helped the situation in fall or early spring when the temp is 50 or below. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[slomo]

45-50 degrees F is pretty chilly for 30w oil. Don't know what you have in there. Try some 5w-30 for cold temps like that.

BTW, you don't need premium fuel in any mower engine. Most are at best 8:1 = low compression. 87 octane is more than enough. You actually lose a small percentage of HP and TQ using the wrong fuel. 91 burns slower to combat knocking/detonation which movers never do. You gain nothing other than lightening up your wallet.

slomo