Take the spark plug out and see how wet it is.
While the plug is out spin the engine over a few times. Make sure the plug wire is not sitting in front if the plug hole
(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
Thank you. I've done that, but each time, it keeps doing the same thing. Refilling. Could you tell me what my next step should be? The carburetor keeps filling with fuel. The solenoid on the bottom of the bowl is working.
I was Having problem with the fuel shut off solenoid. It was activating but not working. I changed it and that solved the problem. With the solenoid not stopping the gas at the carb, the gas kept flowing through the bowl and carb and filled up my oil reservoir with gas. I was getting a hydro lock and the motor would barely turn over until I dumped the oil/gaqs mix and refill the oil. After replacing the oil reservoir 4 or 5 times. I put a shut off valve, in line, on the gas line and that worked but, I could not remember to shut off the valve when I shut off the mower and oil reservoir filled up with gas. So I went ahead and replaced the solenoid. This solved my problem with the gas filling up the oil reservoir. The solenoid was only ~ $18 through ebay. At John Deer it was between $70 to $130 depending on the model of the mower and the serial number of the carb. Pull the carb and check the operation off of the mower with the gas line connected and the carb grounded to the motor. With the key in the off position there should not be any gas flowing out of the carb. with the key turned to the run position there should be gas running out of the carb. Then the solenoid if working properly. In my case my solenoid actuated when checked with 12V added to it (off of the carb) but was not stopping the gas flow to the carb. I put a new one on the carb and everything worked properly. GOOD LUCK !!!
Hate to burst your bubble, but the fuel shut off solenoid is there to shut off fuel to the engine to prevent backfiring through the carb. If you were getting liquid fuel in the cylinder and crankcase, the cause of the problem is a bad float needle and seat. Your carb needs a good cleaning and the replacement of the needle and seat. As you have found out, putting an inline shut off valve is only a band aid over the problem, not fixing it.
