B&S/Toro Cable Problem

[cekkk]

First post, thanks for any info. Brand new B&S 190cc "guaranteed to start" red & black, serial or model #150203 5636 809, in a Toro model 20339 self-propelled lawn mower. Set it up with included oil & fresh 87 octane, started fine, used it a half an hour, shutting it down a few times to pick up stuff, started fine, zero problems, hit nothing but grass.

Shut it down for a couple hours, wouldn't start. Problem obvious. Blade control bar cable runs from handle down to a lever that is frozen. Cable just pulls up to the lever. I'd our home is at 9000' elevation, but can't see where that figures in on this problem.

I'm over a hundred mile round trip from Home Depot. Would use hammeration, but would appreciate a better solution. :anyone:

 

[cekkk]

Well, over a hundred views and not responses. I'm taking it in this morning for repair/exchange. If I find an answer I'll post it. Should have mentioned, you must squeeze that cable to the handle before you can start it. Since it won't move the lever, no spark.

 

[mechanic mark]

Lubricate with Liquid Wrench brand lubricating oil.

 

[cekkk]

It turns out that "lever" isn't supposed to move. I still don't see how pulling on a cable attached to a fixed object activates anything but apparently, it does.

The problem was caused by the carb flooding, maybe due to our very high altitude, 4000' above Denver. Tech suggested clamping the fuel line if it happens again. If it is a problem he'll order a high altitude jet pack but said the last couple parts he ordered won't come in until November! (He didn't say November of what year.)

It seems like the vast majority of companies follow the General Motors Next Quarter Results system of mismanagement.

 

[Rivets]

First off, hold your horses. We techs on this site are not on your clock 24/7, most of us do have jobs. 90% of the views were probably guests who cannot respond. Now I'll get to your problem. I'm assuming the cable which you are talking about is the brake cable. This cable does activate the brake lever which you cannot see because it is under the cover. Next get a new mechanic, clamping off the fuel line will not solve your problem. He needs to do some more troubleshooting. A flooding carb will not be solved with the high altitde jet, which you will need at your elevation. Your problem can be solved by a Toro authorized dealer under warranty, not a Home Depot tech. You don't give us enough info for us to give you a possible solution, but being that it is under warranty don't touch it. Finally, have a little patience, we're glad to help if you wait your turn.

 

[cekkk]

First off, hold your horses. We techs on this site are not on your clock 24/7, most of us do have jobs. 90% of the views were probably guests who cannot respond.

Take a deep breath. You've drawn an unwarranted conclusion that I was complaining. That would not be a good idea for a first time poster. The lack of responses had made me think I had not given enough information.

Getting an authorized dealer to look at it is a sensible idea. I'm surprised that Toro has so few. My zip code refers me to two over a hundred miles away, in Denver. Others are hundreds of miles away. If problem continues the mower goes back.

 

[ILENGINE]

Due to your high altitude you will need to get the high altitude kit installed at least to help it run properly. the flooding may or may not be caused by the altitude. Just thinking that the rich jet in the thin air could of caused some flooding. Second, clamping the newer low perm fuel line will damage the line and cause separation of the inner plastic liner, which is not a good thing. Check to see if their are any Briggs authorized dealers in your area. He can handle the warranty of the engine if the problem doesn't include problems with the mower.

 

[cekkk]

Thanks, ilengine. I didn't know about the lining of the fuel line, but clamping it didn't sound like a good long term plan. And since "authorized" repair facilities are so far away and would require two round trips of nearly 500 miles for the closest, I'm thinking I'll try to finish the current job and return the darned thing to HD. We've gotten more rain than I've seen in 25 years here and the grass is high. This mower is to hit areas that were unaccessable to my tractor and PTO mower.