Engine trouble

brushwoodnursery

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Toro Time Cutter. last time I used it, it started up ok but after a few minutes the motor would struggle as the exhaust belched out massive smoke. it would clear up then bog down over and over again. This alternated for a while then cleared up so I mowed. Today it seems worse. Took a quick video to show you folks and ask for advice. I'm familiar with the bogging down and recovering like a carb issue but the massive smoke and oily stain (see video) worry me. Maybe I need to take it in right away? Really need to mow. Don't want to kill the mower.
Mower Woes - YouTube
 

brushwoodnursery

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Update: uphill, the engine smooths out fine. Level, it chuffs a bit. Downhill it chuffs a LOT! Maybe water in my gas tank?
 

Rivets

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Check the oil level and smell it to see if it sells like gas. Looks to me like either a bad float needle valve or blown head gasket.
 

brushwoodnursery

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Check the oil level and smell it to see if it sells like gas. Looks to me like either a bad float needle valve or blown head gasket.
Thanks for the input! What do you think about the uphill being absolutely fine while it acts up terribly while pointing downhill?
 

Hoverman64

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I had a 42" Time Cutter up till this Sat. For 3 yrs it would start up fine and never really smoked. But... half way through my yard and it starts to vibrate and with in 30 sec, not enough time to stop the blades and throttle it down to off, it blows. I think you should have someone look at it ASAP. I took care of the mower with regular maintenance and my yard has a few small hills. The Engine only has a 2yr warranty so the local shop where I bought it said that they would take it apart and take pics to see if Kohler would replace it. waiting to hear the results.
 

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Rivets

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Don't really know which engine or unit you have, but I'll take a try. If the heads (spark plugs) are pointing down when you are going downhill, I would suspect that you have the early signs of either a head gasket going bad or a bad intake valve or guide. Try this pllease. Start the engine on a level surface and while running at 3/4 throttle take the oil fill cap off and let it rest (with your hand on top) on the fill tube. Reinstall the cap and move the unit to a downhill position and repeat the test. If it bounces more on the downhill test inwould suspect the head gasket is bad. It no real change I would recommend having a cylinder leak down test done to see if it tells us anything.
 

brushwoodnursery

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Re: Engine trouble: Resolved!

Got back from vacation and decided to dig into the problem. The fuel tank was dead empty which allowed me to see clearly to the bottom. Bits of straw and other things were in it and the fuel strainer was missing. Looks like my 4yo son was mucking about in it some time ago. I removed the fuel tank and shook it out for a while. Straw, leaves, crud...and the strainer! I put it all back together and, voila! She's a little bit smokey but I think that may be from all the crap in the exhaust still. I'll give her a good run tomorrow. Figure I better get a new fuel filter, too.

Forgot to mention: the straw kicking around in the bottom of the tank was only a clue. The bits clogging the outlet at the bottom of the tank were responsible. Had to blow hard from the other direction to clear it.
 

Rivets

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Much cheaper and easier to solve than a head gasket. Congrats.
 
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