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Engine stalled during mowing. Would not start at all. Researching and discovered it could be valve adjustment issue. Got a feeler gauge and have all four valves adjusted to .004. It will start sometimes.. run about 3 seconds and stall. I try to restart and it blows a lot of raw gas out the exhaust, but will not start. I keep watching YouTube vids on how to adjust valves as I think that is the issue but IDK.

FYI, Has new plugs, air and fuel filters and recent oil and filter change.

Also, i occasionally will mow with engine on but very low rpm.. like around the house as to not blow debri on the house. Is this harmful to engine and could it throw valves out of adjustment?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Valve adjustment is not likely the issue. My guess would be poor fuel possibly sticking the fuel solenoid at the bottom of the carburetor. Running the engine at low rpm is not good for the engine. it is an air cooled engine. By not running at full rpm (rabbit position) is causing the fan to not generate the proper amount of cooling air which may cause engine overheating.

dougfortner said:

Got a feeler gauge and have all four valves adjusted to .004.

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I've always did the Exhausts to .005 Just cause they get hotter.. But that's me.

What kind of mower is it on. Model and serial no. Engine model and code. Sounds like it is flooding. Could you have over filled the tank and it is pulling fuel through the vent system. Have seen this happen.

txmowman said:

Valve adjustment is not likely the issue. My guess would be poor fuel possibly sticking the fuel solenoid at the bottom of the carburetor. Running the engine at low rpm is not good for the engine. it is an air cooled engine. By not running at full rpm (rabbit position) is causing the fan to not generate the proper amount of cooling air which may cause engine overheating.

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Thanks for response. I ordered a new carburetor solenoid and installed. Engine started, ran for about 5 seconds and stopped dead. Tried restarting and it would not fire. Again, blew gas out of exhaust.

hlw49 said:

What kind of mower is it on. Model and serial no. Engine model and code. Sounds like it is flooding. Could you have over filled the tank and it is pulling fuel through the vent system. Have seen this happen.

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Thanks for the response. I have experienced this problem at different gas tank fill levels. Attached is what I have. Any help would be appreciated.

Does not show the engine code no or the model no of the mower.

And flooding is likely the float valve not sealing off as it should. Can be either the valve or the seat that causing the leakage.

Feedback.. Replaced carburetor and all seems good. Thanks for response guys. Helped me to think through it. Also, my new power down procedure is to shut gas valve off and let it burn fuel for kill. Don’t know if that will help in the future but dirty carb=dirty gas in my mind.

OK, Just FYI: Running with gas shut off, till it quits, will still leave a small amount of gas in carb bowl..

dougfortner said:

Feedback.. Replaced carburetor and all seems good. Thanks for response guys. Helped me to think through it. Also, my new power down procedure is to shut gas valve off and let it burn fuel for kill. Don’t know if that will help in the future but dirty carb=dirty gas in my mind.

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If you are using it weekly, this is completely unnecessary. Good procedure for occasional use equipment though.

Always run an air cooled engine full throttle.Its designed to pull maximum air ,your really doing more harm by less throttle. Its also a good idea to keep the clippings off and around the engine and transaxle.

Agreed.