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Hello,

About 2 years ago my friend gave me a Yard Machines mower. He bought a bigger and better mower.

Anyway it has been sitting for about a little over a year. We used it for a season when it was running good. We stopped using it when it started having problems. I don't remember if the problem came to be since it sat for the winter months or not.

My issue is the engine has an irregular idle and die when the throttle is opened up. It would run if the choke was pulled slightly but have no real power. I attached a couple picture to help.

I do want to fix this machine since it is still in real good shape. I need help in getting me started in the right direction.

Advice is needed!!

Thanks

Ok...the first thing is that the lever you are talking about moving appears to be the governor arm,which it would be normal for it to move with bad idle.I really didn't like the looks of the fuel filter and fuel line.I'd change fuel filter(be sure you get one made for a non fuel pump engine) and the fuel line.I don't like the way it loops down then back up.Try to keep the fuel running downhill.Check the air filter for being dirty.After that I would get it running and try adjusting out the carb.I'd also check the carb mounting gasket by spraying some wd 40 or something while it's running.Oh yeah,might as well put a plug in it.After that...I'd say the carb needs to come off and cleaned and kit-ed.That would be what I would do.Hope that helps.jc

jc56 said:

Ok...the first thing is that the lever you are talking about moving appears to be the governor arm,which it would be normal for it to move with bad idle.I really didn't like the looks of the fuel filter and fuel line.I'd change fuel filter(be sure you get one made for a non fuel pump engine) and the fuel line.I don't like the way it loops down then back up.Try to keep the fuel running downhill.Check the air filter for being dirty.After that I would get it running and try adjusting out the carb.I'd also check the carb mounting gasket by spraying some wd 40 or something while it's running.Oh yeah,might as well put a plug in it.After that...I'd say the carb needs to come off and cleaned and kit-ed.That would be what I would do.Hope that helps.jc

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Thanks for the reply!! I will start with what you have suggested with replacing the fuel line, fuel filter, and spark plug. What will I be looking for with spraying WD while it is running? And where do I spray the WD?

Thanks again :thumbsup:

Where your carb mounts to the engine,you'll have a gasket there.If it is bad,your engine may be sucking air there,which would make it to run poorly.So while running,just spray some wd 40 or something like it where the mounting gasket should be,if it is leaking(or sucking air) your RPM will drop as the wd 40 enters the engine.You know,what I am suggesting is just things that I would do....lol.Very likely it is a carb issue....but I would check these things first.jc

Throttle lopping is normally due to a dirty carb,which can also explain the no power. That carb has a self contained jetting system in the fuel bowl. Pry the bail from under the bowl and replace it as a unit, due not attempt to clean it is not worth it.

Are parts still available for that engine in USA?
We struggle for bits over here.

pugaltitude said:

Are parts still available for that engine in USA?
We struggle for bits over here.

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I've been able to find most parts still available through various suppliers, however some parts are so expensive the customer decides not to repair.

Ken

does it smoke? rebuild the carb 1st and then may need OHV adjustment as well.

Half choke - time for a carb cleaning and the parts kit is do cheap - rebuild it .

Hello All,

I really didn't think that I was going to get so many responses to my post. I am happy that there are many of you wanting to help me out. This morning I clamped off the fuel line and then cut out the fuel filter and a piece of the fuel line so I can buy some replacement parts today at the auto parts store. I am glad I did since the fuel line was pretty deteriorated. Pretty bad in one spot, could have been a fire hazard.

I installed the new line and filter when I got home put fresh gas in and was ready to crank it over. Nothing... what an anti-climatic moment :laughing: I got out the jump starter and still nothing. Double checked the battery connection and tried again. Nothing... not even a click.

I know the deck needs to be disengaged and there is a safety switch it pushes when the lever is disengaged position. I double checked to see if the switch was being pushed. Visually it looks pushed. I even pulled back further on the deck lever and it is just about touching the top of the switch.

I did notice that when the key is turned the amp meter doesn't move not even a flick of the meter needle even with the charger on it. HMMM

Any tips or pointers?
How do you check if the deck switch is bad?
Just a note.
I did take the float bowl off so that I could look in it and clean it. (I didn't see the post for just replacing it since it is not worth cleaning.) It didn't have and crud in it. It does have and electronic part on the front of it. A red and green wire. The green goes to ground and I didn't follow the red one so I don't know where it goes.

Hopefully I can get it running again with all of your help. :thumbsup:

Well......you have found the blade engage lever and switch.Should have one on the clutch pedal/brake pedal also.May have one under the seat,but usually they kill the mower with the blades engaged.I usually just jump across those switches with a short piece of wire.Pull the wires off the switch and put one end of the wire in one side of wiring harness and the end of the wire in the other side.You can pull wiring harness off the key switch and clean that up really good.And you can check all electrical connections.I am assuming the battery is good and charged and the cables are clean and tight????Keep us informed!!!jc

jc56 said:

Keep us informed!!!jc

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Here is an update on the progress. I went through pretty much all of the electrical stuff and made sure the contacts are clean. It cranks over now! but won't start. When cranking and spraying carb cleaner into the carb it fires and run as I keep spraying. Also will start when I pour gas into the carb and crank it. It fires, runs and quits when the fuel is gone. So I know I have spark.

This leads me to believe I have a fuel supply issue.

ILENGINE said:

Re: ride mower not running well

Throttle lopping is normally due to a dirty carb,which can also explain the no power. That carb has a self contained jetting system in the fuel bowl. Pry the bail from under the bowl and replace it as a unit, due not attempt to clean it is not worth it.

Click to expand...

I am going to look into replacing this float bowl assembly. When I took off the float bowl is a small blue plastic tube that goes up into the carb from the float assembly. The o-ring on the bottom of the plastic tube was shot. It also looks like there is a small electronic unit on the front of it, don't know what it is. After I was done cranking it and spraying carb cleaner and pouring gas into the carb it was warm almost hot.

Almost got it running again :smile:
Thanks

I have a green Craftsman riding mower 17.5hp Brigs/Stratton. It starts fine but after riding/cutting for a few minutes, it sputters and dies. When I let it sit for 5 minutes it starts again but does the same thing. I tried new gas, put sea foam in the gas, replaced the spark plug, installed a new fuel filter but still has same problem.