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My TimeMaster 30" has developed a random problem. The mower starts fine and will run normally and then suddenly stop. Sometimes I can start it again immediately, sometimes I need to wait a few minutes. This has happened 2 times out of 3 mowings. The second of the 3 mowings was without any issue. The mower has plenty of gas. I did just recently change the gas filter and air filter. I had no issue of this kind last year. Any thoughts?

Next time it happens check to see if you have spark. Could be that you may have a coil which has either a hot short or hot open. If no spark, replace the coil.

Rivets said:

Next time it happens check to see if you have spark. Could be that you may have a coil which has either a hot short or hot open. If no spark, replace the coil.

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Thanks for your suggestion.

Same mower, same problem. As ‘Rivets’ says, check the coil. I just replaced mine yesterday and all is well. FYI it was Toro part #595959 and cost me $40 at a dealer.

Blockhead22 said:

Same mower, same problem. As ‘Rivets’ says, check the coil. I just replaced mine yesterday and all is well. FYI it was Toro part #595959 and cost me $40 at a dealer.

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Thank you

Rivets said:

Next time it happens check to see if you have spark. Could be that you may have a coil which has either a hot short or hot open. If no spark, replace the coil.

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HI Rivets... I changed the coil last week with an OEM part and set the gap at .010. The motor started right up and I mowed the entire yard without incident . I was a relatively cool day. Today it 89 and mower about half the back yard when the motor cut out again. I noticed gas leaking out from around the gas cap and retighten it. The mower started right up. Mowed the rest of the back yard and as I was finishing the mower sputtered again and shut off. Again I noticed gas leaking from around the cap. I pulled the cap off, reset the gasket, filled the tank, and proceeded to the front lawn. I mowed the entire from lawn without any issue. The mower never stopped and gas never leaked. Could the problem be related to the gas cap? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I’ve never seen a leaking cap cause the problem you described, but there’s always a chance. I suggest you use the mower as is, making sure the cap and gasket are tight. If you have no more problems, you’re in the clear.

Rivets said:

I’ve never seen a leaking cap cause the problem you described, but there’s always a chance. I suggest you use the mower as is, making sure the cap and gasket are tight. If you have no more problems, you’re in the clear.

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Hi Rivets,
I replaced the gas cap and added foam to the tank, per B&G's recommendation, to keep the gas from sloshing . TimeMaster engines have foam in the tank for the reason I mentioned. For some reason mine did not. Anyway, gas does not leak anymore but after about 40 minutes of mowing the same problem occurred. The mower starts to sputter and cuts out. I can generally restart it immediately and resume mowing but the problem reoccured again. I have replaced the coil, OEM, but don't know what else to do. Spark plug, fuel filter? Any tips are appreciated.

Take an air compressor and remove fuel line from carburetor. Blow back into tank with gas cap removed and make sure no obstruction. Is there crap in fuel tank, grass, debris? Is gas fresh (less than 60 days old? Have you drained tank and checked for water in fuel? Have you tried running mower with gas cap on but slightly loose? Secure with duct tape.

Tiger Small Engine said:

Take an air compressor and remove fuel line from carburetor. Blow back into tank with gas cap removed and make sure no obstruction. Is there crap in fuel tank, grass, debris? Is gas fresh (less than 60 days old? Have you drained tank and checked for water in fuel? Have you tried running mower with gas cap on but slightly loose? Secure with duct tape.

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I'm happy to try your suggestions but why wouldn't the problem I described start immediately? It takes 40 - 50 minutes before the problem occurs.

Gees I get bored writing this
Grass clippings fall into the tank
The water gets displaced by the petrol then they are almost the same density as the fuel so they float within the fuel
As fuel gets sucked down the outlet hole they get sucked there as well where being too big to go through the hole they form a plug blocking off the outlet .
Engine stalls out and without the suction to hold them there they float off to do a repeat performance next time you use the mower

bertsmobile1 said:

Gees I get bored writing this
Grass clippings fall into the tank
The water gets displaced by the petrol then they are almost the same density as the fuel so they float within the fuel
As fuel gets sucked down the outlet hole they get sucked there as well where being too big to go through the hole they form a plug blocking off the outlet .
Engine stalls out and without the suction to hold them there they float off to do a repeat performance next time you use the mower

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Thanks

I should have also mentioned that when they become petrol soaked they become almost transparent that makes them hard to see when looking into the tank
Might not be your problem but it accounts for around 3 out of 4 "runs for x minutes then stops like it has run out of fuel " that come through the gate .

Tank cap only needs to be off hand, two finger, tight. Meaning if you are right handed, use your left to reduce torque on the cap. Why, because your left is not as strong as your right. Just turn till it stops. These are not truck tire lug nuts.

Agreed with the others above. Flush the fuel tank completely. Blow out with compressed air and SAFETY GLASSES. Install new fuel line from tank to carb. New filter and inline shutoff won't hurt either.

Put your old ignition coil back on. POLISH the mounting pads where the coil sits and the coil where it sits on the pads. Gives the coil a refreshed ground to fire the plug. Gap the sucker too. Save the new coil as a door stop.

Stop buying parts until you test what you have.