My lawn mower wont start any more

Remix 87

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Hello everyone, I have a honda self propel hrr lawn mower thant wont start any more. I was cutting my father grass. When i was finished i picked it up and put the mower in my truck and went home. when wanted to start mowing my lawn it started for about 30 sec and shut off. Now it just doing a poping noise. The mower recently got a oil change and a spark plug replace. I pulled the carb out and it looked pretty clean. But still went ahead and spray it with carb cleaner. But the mower still dose a poping noise. Any feed back will be very helpful thanks
 

Lawnranger

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Try spraying a short blast of carburetor cleaner directly into the carburetor (air filter removed) and then attempt to start. If the engine starts and runs for a few seconds and then dies, you most likely have a fuel problem. A few areas to check first are: fuel level in fuel tank, plugged vent in fuel tank cap, contaminated fuel.

Make the checks and report back with what you find.
 

Remix 87

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Thank for the tips. I tried to spray the carb cleaner in the carb and i also removed and cleaned the fuel tank. I also found a plastic tube in the rubber tubbing close to the tank which i removed and also clean. But it still dose that popping/puff sound. Is it possiable that when i pick up my mower to put it in my truck it got flooded and how would i know that. Thanks
 

EngineMan

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"I pulled the carb out and it looked pretty clean." but did you clean it when it was off..?
 

Remix 87

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"I pulled the carb out and it looked pretty clean." but did you clean it when it was off..?
yes i took the carbuator apart and sprayed it down with carb cleaner
 

Lawnranger

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Simply picking up a lawnmower and placing it in the back of a truck shouldn't cause the problem you are having but anything is possible.

So lets start with the basics. An engine needs three factors present to start and run properly - the correct air/fuel ratio (fresh, quality fuel is a must), sufficient compression (arguably 90 P.S.I. or better) and sufficient spark at the correct time. If one of these factors is missing or out of proportion, the engine will run poorly or not start/run at all. Your task is to find the missing factor by inspecting and testing the systems involved. Which factor is missing or out of proportion in your case?

If you do not know how to check for spark or perform the necessary checks and tests, youtube has some videos that will guide you through the process. Simply search youtube for what you want to test or check or you can ask here and we will help guide you through the process.

There are conditions that will prevent an engine from starting even though all three factors are correct such as a plugged muffler/exhaust, old/contaminated fuel and I am sure there are more possibilities but I will not try to list them all here so I am going on the assumption that one of the factors is missing and that all other components are functioning properly.

You will need a compression gauge to test compression so if you do not have one or do not have access to one you will need to take it to someone who can test it for you. You will also need a spark checker which can be made from an old, working spark plug by clipping off the side electrode, connecting the plug to the lead and resting the metal hex of the spark plug on the metal part of the engine but this is not always as easy as it seems as many engines have plastic shrouds and other 登bstacles in the way.

Perform the necessary tests, report back with your findings and you will receive further advice based on your answers.
 

Remix 87

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Thanks for the advice i will perform the test you recommended .
 

DaveTN

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Hello everyone, I have a honda self propel hrr lawn mower thant wont start any more. I was cutting my father grass. When i was finished i picked it up and put the mower in my truck and went home. when wanted to start mowing my lawn it started for about 30 sec and shut off. Now it just doing a poping noise. The mower recently got a oil change and a spark plug replace. I pulled the carb out and it looked pretty clean. But still went ahead and spray it with carb cleaner. But the mower still dose a poping noise. Any feed back will be very helpful thanks

Usually when a motor starts that "popping" noise it's either in a valve not seating in time regarding engine timing (key partially sheared) or valve not seating as it should. Did you hit something mowing? Big stick, rock, stump etc? That would be enough sometimes to put a crimp in a key and throw it off time. Hope this helps.
 

robert@honda

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Backfiring can also be a result of a choke issue, or so I've been told.

If the spark is good, it's likely to be a fuel/air delivery problem. Often, just replacing the entire carburetor can be easy, cheap and fast way to get running again. A brand new carburetor is frequently under $25. You may wan to consider this option.

Reply back with the serial number off the back of the mower deck it is in the form of MXXX-1234567. I"ll get back with a part number a list price for a new carb.
 
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