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Puzzled

#1

MarineScott

MarineScott

I have a Craftsman riding mower #917287080 with a B&S 20 hp 31P977 0575E engine. This thing randomly quits as if it is running out of fuel. I have spark, I had replaced the magneto, plug ,cleaned the fuel tank, checked the vent, new fuel lines, filter,clipped the plunger end off the solenoid, ( that worked for at least a year), air filter is good yet it still happens. All parts were replaced under regular maintenance. Now the kicker..... when this stops, if I introduce a little compressed air into the tank through the vent hole, it will start and run. I'm thinking carburetor needs to be replaced.


#2

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

Does it have a fuel pump? What fuel filter did you install?


#3

MarineScott

MarineScott

Hammermechanicman said:
Does it have a fuel pump? What fuel filter did you install?
Click to expand...
No fuel pump, not sure on the brand of filter, it is clear in color (Arnold brand from Tractor Supply)


#4

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

Try running it with the gas cap loose, or when it dies, loosen the gas cap and try to start it.


#5

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

If it is a gravity fedd system. No pump and tank is higher than the carb. The wrong filter can stop gas flow. Try replacing the filter with a screen type filter as opposed to a paper filter. With the tank near empty remove the fuel line from the carb and see if fuel flows freely.


#6

S

slomo

Excellent advice from the above fella's,

Also try removing the blower housing (top engine cover) and cleaning all the dirt, oil, grass and bugs off the engine block cooling fins. Yearly or more if you have oil leaks high on engine. If you neglect this, you will be enjoying your new head gasket repairs, valve seat and or head replacement, engine using oil and so on.

Adjust the valves per YOUR engine spec.

Use a fuel cut off valve and a good paper filter.

Here's another top secret one. Use 100% gas and fuel stabilizer year round. You will never have any carb issues again.

And keep that spark plug changed. That was actually a joke. Think the plug is the first item people change when their mower doesn't run proper.

slomo


#7

S

slomo

So to answer your original questions.

Could be the carb needle is sticking closed slightly. Might be some old fuel varnish in the seat area.

Remove the carb. Clean and soak in Diesel. Remove all jets and probe out with a bristle from a nylon brush. Do NOT use torch tip cleaners or any steel wire anything to clean brass jets. Blow out with compressed air. Reinstall and check for proper run. Might take two or three carb cleanings.

Here's another one. Remove all small carb parts. Place carb BODY only, in your WIFE'S dishwasher. That is the best parts washer on the planet. Then come back here and tell us if she catches you LOL.

slomo


#8

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

Wix 33011 is the filter i put on small engines, gravity or pump. Remember, the plastic caps on filters go on the carb side of the filter. opposite of the fuel source for proper flow.


#9

G

gainestruk

slomo said:
So to answer your original questions.

Could be the carb needle is sticking closed slightly. Might be some old fuel varnish in the seat area.

Remove the carb. Clean and soak in Diesel. Remove all jets and probe out with a bristle from a nylon brush. Do NOT use torch tip cleaners or any steel wire anything to clean brass jets. Blow out with compressed air. Reinstall and check for proper run. Might take two or three carb cleanings.

Here's another one. Remove all small carb parts. Place carb BODY only, in your WIFE'S dishwasher. That is the best parts washer on the planet. Then come back here and tell us if she catches you LOL.

Be sure and do above when wife is NOT home ?
It really does work tho....
Click to expand...


#10

MarineScott

MarineScott

Some very good points, I do try and use non-ethanol fuel. Thanks


#11

MarineScott

MarineScott

Scrubcadet10 said:
Try running it with the gas cap loose, or when it dies, loosen the gas cap and try to start it.
Click to expand...
I have tried that, thanks


#12

MarineScott

MarineScott

While cutting grass, it quit again. I removed the fuel line at the carb. to see if there was fuel....yes, but not sure if it has the correct volume. After reconnecting the hose it started and ran fine. I will eliminate the filter to diagnose further.It may very well be the filter even though it is new.


#13

Cusser

Cusser

My Craftsman lawn tractor B&S engine would crap out after mowing a bit; it turned out that my choke butterfly would not return to "open" when I moved the handle. I added a little spring from Ace Hardware to fix it, drilled a small hole in the plastic housing and attached to the choke arm. Sorry for the blurred photo, old.Lawn tractor choke fix.jpg


#14

MarineScott

MarineScott

Awesome, thanks!


#15

MarineScott

MarineScott

Hammermechanicman said:
Does it have a fuel pump? What fuel filter did you install?
Click to expand...
You sir are correct with the fuel filter. This is a new filter, tank is clean, and fuel is fresh, and the lines are new, but........when it acted up I removed the fuel line and the volume was not there. Have not used the mower for a few weeks, because the grass is dying, but when I did, it ran and quit immediately. I removed the fuel line with the petcock open.......nothing. I introduced air pressure into the tank, and it began to flow. Time for a new filter, NO Arnold filters!


#16

Hammermechanicman

Hammermechanicman

The paper element type filters are a cropshoot if they work or not with a gravity system. Normally gravity systems use a metal screen type filter. Depending on the porosity of the media used in the paper cartridge filter the surface tension of the fuel can stop fuel flow.


#17

Tinker Ty

Tinker Ty

slomo said:
Use 100% gas and fuel stabilizer year round. You will never have any carb issues again.
Click to expand...
For the 30 plus years I have been professionally in the small engine world, I have used (personally) Seafoam and Premium gasoline. I honestly have never had to tear my carbs apart to do anything. Year round usage. I have even started in last 10 years used Seafoam in the crankcase. Everything I own has Seafoam in it, even my two cycle stuff (which you need to use sparingly because of it's wiping agent property). Honestly if Seafoam would pay me to endorse their product, I'd go on the road and sell tanker truck loads of it. ?


#18

Fish

Fish

Loosen the nut on the bottom of the carb, and let it drain.
Look for beads of water.
Water sits in the bottom and stays there, and causes all types of intermittant symptoms.
Also why alcohol is used in the fuel, it mixes with the water and it burns off eventually.

Dry gas - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
.


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