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I bought this mower this spring (2016) and have used it hard for 6 months or so. I'd leave it outside and it would get rained on, and the gas can would get rained on too, and sometimes it wouldn't start so I'd disassemble the carb, find water in the bowl and dump it. Reassemble and the mower would get back to work. Did this at least 3 times.

Yesterday it wouldn't start, so I did the "same old" and disassembled, and reassembled and it still wouldn't start. It would burn the gas I pushed into it using the primer button and run for maybe 3 seconds, then quit. So I got the idea that it wasn't getting gas from the carb. So disassembled a 2nd time, and made sure the valve and the bowl were working. Putting gentle mouth pressure on the gas inlet, the valve opens and closes as it should and the last time I disassembled it, the bowl was completely filled with gasoline. So that part is working.

I figure there's a clog somewhere, but the thing is made of plastic and I'm hesitant to go poking around in there with something like piano wire (guitar string), so I'm wondering what people more knowledgeable than me recommend I do. Thanks in advance.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/MTD-20-i...-Walk-Behind-Lawn-Mower-11A-02BT706/204627306

It's disassembled now and the carb is on my desk next to my elbow, and I can post pics of anyone wants to see them.

purchase can inexpensive tarp to cover mower & gas can, check air & fuel filters for replacement, fresh gas in can, remove spark plug & inspect for replacement, you can drain your old gas & oil from tank & engine & take to any auto parts store for recycling free of charge.

http://www.mtdproducts.com/equipmen...oCode=62&modelNumber=11a02bt706&serialNumber=

mechanic mark said:

purchase can inexpensive tarp to cover mower & gas can, check air & fuel filters for replacement, fresh gas in can, remove spark plug & inspect for replacement, you can drain your old gas & oil from tank & engine & take to any auto parts store for recycling free of charge.

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Okay but how does this help me get my lawn mower started?

I use a couple strands of copper wire to clean holes. I also use compressed air and carb cleaner.
Dirty carb
Down and dirty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBL-BUj0c6E
More technical: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAk_WDt3AD8

Dindu_Nuffins said:

Okay but how does this help me get my lawn mower started?

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I've worked on those plastic carbs before. They are very sensitive to old or contaminated fuel. Bad gas is probably your problem, not a clog. Try using low PSI compressed air to blow all the gas out of the carb. Then empty the gas tank and clean it out with fresh gas 2-3 times. Then put the mower back together, put in some new, fresh gas and see if it will start.

primerbulb120 said:

I've worked on those plastic carbs before. They are very sensitive to old or contaminated fuel. Bad gas is probably your problem, not a clog. Try using low PSI compressed air to blow all the gas out of the carb. Then empty the gas tank and clean it out with fresh gas 2-3 times. Then put the mower back together, put in some new, fresh gas and see if it will start.

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LOL. I had to post to let you know you hit the bull's eye. This is hilarious.

So, I got two seadoos (personal watercraft) as partial compensation for a job I did and about 2 months ago I drained the 15 year old gas out of one of them. It was about 2 gallons or so. Didn't want to just throw it away, so I have been using it in my lawn mower. Figured the lawnmower wouldn't notice.

WRONG!

I knew what I was doing was wrong. But I did it anyways. And thought I got away with it. That's why it's funny.

Anyways, you hit the nail on the head. My 6 month old lawn mower has been killed by 15 year old bad gas. I'll keep reading and figure out what to do next. Just wanted to let you know how RIGHT you were.

Thanks! :laughing: :thumbsup: Just clean out all the bad gas and you should be good to go.

Put the bad gas in a drum and keep it for cleaning, that is all it is good for now.
When the fuel I have on hand here goes bad I toss it in the truck which does around 300 miles / week so it get diluted & used up fairly quick.
However if I have a lot or it is very off ( dark red & smells like a swamp ) it goes into a 44 that I keep for degreasing then eventually to the oil recyclers who add it to the bunker oil that ships burn when out in the open waters.

Which makes the whole worlds EPA regulations an absolute joke , 1 container ship from China = 20,000,000 old diry carby fitted cars in daily output, but that is getting a bit close to politics.

An excellent "cover" for a lawn mower is a 4or 5 gallon drum cut in 1/2 lengthways.
I use a lot of them as my graveyard is out in the weather.
They are fairly heavy and being flexiable can be pushed down hard on top of the mower so don't blow off, just drill a 1/8" hole at the top to let the moist air out.
Low density ( white ) ones are good for about 3-4 years and the high density ( Blue & Black ) ones go about 5-6 years.
Cut longways through the filler hole you get a great cover ( with handle ) + a drip tray, tool tray from each drum and if the US is like OZ they should be everywhere on the side of the road

primerbulb120 said:

Thanks! :laughing: :thumbsup: Just clean out all the bad gas and you should be good to go.

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Lol. Apparently you've never met a bona fide, 100% idiot before. That's me. It took 3 spurts of carburetor cleaner to clean the carb, so I did, reassembled it and then I...

Put the old bad gas back in, and the lawn mower started. Now that I know I can get it working by cleaning the carb with carburetor cleaner. I'm mowing like a crazy man, and hopefully it will all be gone in a day or two. Just wanted to check in and let everyone know it's working now and confirm, that yes, I'm an idiot.

Dindu_Nuffins said:

Lol. Apparently you've never met a bona fide, 100% idiot before. That's me. It took 3 spurts of carburetor cleaner to clean the carb, so I did, reassembled it and then I...

Put the old bad gas back in, and the lawn mower started. Now that I know I can get it working by cleaning the carb with carburetor cleaner. I'm mowing like a crazy man, and hopefully it will all be gone in a day or two. Just wanted to check in and let everyone know it's working now and confirm, that yes, I'm an idiot.

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:laughing::laughing: