Riding mower will start but will not stay running.

[Dan357]

Hello All,
I want to ask for some help please.
Riding mower 917.273351 16HP 6 speed
Engine 31c7070230e1

First, bought this Craftsman LT 1000 for $100, body and deck are in great shape.
Two problems
1 starter will not pop up and engage the flywheel. I have to push it up with a screwdriver to attempt starting.
2 it will crank and run, but will only stay running if I continually spray starting fluid. Nikki carb, not sure of the model number.
I removed the carb and fuel solenoid, but could not get the bowl off, not rusted, but the screws we so tight I was afraid of stripping them. I sprayed all passages I could get to with carb cleaner.


Can you please give me some tips on where to start?
Thanks
Dan

 

[bertsmobile1]

You obviously have a fuel supply problem.
And yes those screws on the float bowl do get really tight
I use impact driver heads in a ratchet driver while pressing down hard to prevent it riding up & mangleing the head.
Get a rebuild kit
The bowl is held with a moulded rubber gasket which can glue the bowl on quite tight and will get destroyed when the bowl is removed.
Does the solenoid retract when it is powered ?

 

[Dan357]

You obviously have a fuel supply problem.
And yes those screws on the float bowl do get really tight
I use impact driver heads in a ratchet driver while pressing down hard to prevent it riding up & mangleing the head.
Get a rebuild kit
The bowl is held with a moulded rubber gasket which can glue the bowl on quite tight and will get destroyed when the bowl is removed.
Does the solenoid retract when it is powered ?

Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
I was able to put the carb in a vice and get it apart, I cleaned it well and installed the rebuild kit with new solenoid the mower started right up.
The engine sounds good at cutting speed, but it dies when you move the throttle to low, I'm unsure how to best adjust the carb, as it sounds great at full throttle. I have two screws, I think the small gold one with no head is the air/fuel, and the silver one with the spring is Idle.
Thank again.
Dan

 

[StarTech]

And yes those screws on the float bowl do get really tight
I use impact driver heads in a ratchet driver while pressing down hard to prevent it riding up & mangleing the head.

It much simpler to just shock the screws to break the static hold. I use a hammer and punch to do it; although, a solid metal cross point can be use in place of the punch as the punch can close up the cross point. No risk of slipping off while pressing down as I had skinned knuckles a few times before learning better way.

 

[Fish]

Are you sure that the fuel shutoff solenoid is opening when you turn the key on?