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So I have a 6.5 HP Dura Force Model 10323 (15 years old) and I'm troubleshooting. I already rebuilt the carburetor although I don't think that was the issue. It will not start. The last 3 times I used it it stopped after 15 minutes, but would restart a few hours later. Now it will not start at all.

I was wondering if there were any tips for testing the ignition without getting zapped?

Brian Dale said:

So I have a 6.5 HP Dura Force Model 10323 (15 years old) and I'm troubleshooting. I already rebuilt the carburetor although I don't think that was the issue. It will not start. The last 3 times I used it it stopped after 15 minutes, but would restart a few hours later. Now it will not start at all.

I was wondering if there were any tips for testing the ignition without getting zapped?

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Just need two people, one to pull the rope and one holding spark plug against cylinder head.

Brian Dale said:

So I have a 6.5 HP Dura Force Model 10323 (15 years old) and I'm troubleshooting. I already rebuilt the carburetor although I don't think that was the issue. It will not start. The last 3 times I used it it stopped after 15 minutes, but would restart a few hours later. Now it will not start at all.

I was wondering if there were any tips for testing the ignition without getting zapped?

Click to expand...

Get an inline spark tester that will hook on the plug and plug lead.
Put it some where that you can see it while mowing, tie it up with cable ties if necessary.
then watch the loght.
If it goes out before the mower stops the ignition is faulty.
If it flashes all the way down till the mower stops then the problem is fuel related.

Brian Dale said:

So I have a 6.5 HP Dura Force Model 10323 (15 years old) and I'm troubleshooting. I already rebuilt the carburetor although I don't think that was the issue. It will not start. The last 3 times I used it it stopped after 15 minutes, but would restart a few hours later. Now it will not start at all.

I was wondering if there were any tips for testing the ignition without getting zapped?

Click to expand...

The first thing I'd look for is some kind of fuel clogging -- probably the fuel filter.

I bought a used 10323 off Craigslist and the ignition module was bad. Sometimes it would spark and run. Ignition modules from a lawnmower dealer are somewhat pricey, but I think you get get them off Ebay for a lot less.

Have your wife or girlfriend hold the removed spark plug to a cylinder fin, pull the starter cord, if she jumps and starts swearing at you, the coil is good,,,lol.

Jeff

Its not too difficult to determine if you have spark, you can also position plug (removed of course) grounded on cylinder head bolt with wire attached like I said above, you can usually hear it pop or click if there is no one else to help.

You said you re-built the carb? did this issue start after you re-built the carb? If so I would make sure the float is adjusted correctly.

Plugged idle jet might give you similar issues, The float out of adjustment where its not letting any fuel in bowl could be the issue,

CDI will go bad on this mower and can act up intermittently after engine gets to operating temp. Heat was usually take them out. What is your oil to gas mix 32 to 1?

I'm going to assume at this point that my float is allowing fuel in since it reeks like gas and there's still gas leaking from my muffler. I pulled the spark plug while still connected and grounded to the motor and turned the crank. I don't think I see a spark but I'll do it in the dark and see then.

I think at this point it's the ignition module. I don't mind paying for a quality one. I don't mean to be lazy and not search the site. Can someone recommend a place to purchase? The place up the road does not have one in stock.

Thanks

I have had good luck with the 15.00 cdi on ebay,

An easy method to set float is to blow air into gas inlet, with bowl on, turn upside down and blow, should not be able to get any air through, Turn right side up with bowl on and blow should be very little restriction. To adjust you just bend tabs on float until you get it set right.

lewb said:

I have had good luck with the 15.00 cdi on ebay,

An easy method to set float is to blow air into gas inlet, with bowl on, turn upside down and blow, should not be able to get any air through, Turn right side up with bowl on and blow should be very little restriction. To adjust you just bend tabs on float until you get it set right.

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I got her running yesterday with a $15 ignition coil from ebay. As for the float, isn't ti the case that even if the float is not adjusted properly it will still allow flow right side up and not flow upside down? Or do I misunderstand? As it is now I just trial and error the float and now it runs. The mower seems to use more gas now but I don't know if it's related to that or not. The mower still surges but only when idle. It stabilizes while cutting which I don't entirely understand. BUt at this poi t I don't care because I just mowed my yard for the first time in 3 weeks!

Brian Dale said:

I got her running yesterday with a $15 ignition coil from ebay. As for the float, isn't ti the case that even if the float is not adjusted properly it will still allow flow right side up and not flow upside down? Or do I misunderstand? As it is now I just trial and error the float and now it runs. The mower seems to use more gas now but I don't know if it's related to that or not. The mower still surges but only when idle. It stabilizes while cutting which I don't entirely understand. BUt at this poi t I don't care because I just mowed my yard for the first time in 3 weeks!

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I have had great luck with those coils from eBay I got another last week for $12 free shipping can't beat it.
As far as the surging I always replace the pilot jet with a larger one, and after a good carb and exhaust cleaning they always run great. I use toro part #81-1030 a lot of people use a Briggs part but I have never tried that one. Also add a fuel shut off and a fuel filter and she should run like a beast 4 a long time, the 10323 is a great mower IMO the only downside is the steel deck.
GOOD LUCK

With float bowl empty and upside down is like float bowl full of gas should not be able to blow air. Sounds like you have found the issue.