Hi All
I've got a Honda HF2417-HME ride-on which is essential for keeping down the acre+ of grass at our home. It's been brilliant up until this season but has started driving me mad.
It starts fine first time when it hasn't been used for a while and cuts pretty well. At the beginning of the season, the engine was surging but a dose of carb cleaner to the fuel tank sorted this. Recently, it started spluttering a bit, running rich, seemed louder than usual and wouldn't start when the engine had warmed up. It seemed to run better when the blades were engaged. I replaced the air filter, spark plugs, checked fuel filter (which was clean and seemed fine) but to no avail. So I had a professional come and take it away to clean the carb down. He checked it and returned it and said all was good. Today, I started it up. There was a puff of dark smoke but it started OK although seemed quite loud. A few times while cutting, I think going over some small bumps, it spluttered and blew black smoke out of the exhaust. Unfortunately I stopped it due to needing to pick up some fallen apples and hey presto, it refused to start again. It's now stranded in the middle of the lawn.
Does anyone know what might be causing this? I'd really appreciate any help.
Kind regards
Joe