Toro lawn mower starts then dies. Found out how to get it to run, but...

[nappyjim]

Toro lawn mower starts then dies. Found out how to get it to run, but I cant figure out how to actually fix it. Excuse my ignorance but I know nothing about small engines, Im more of an electrical guy. But the mower would start then die right away. Found that if I hold the lever, shown in the pictures, as it looks in the 2nd pic, engine will run fine. As soon as I let, it goes back to how it looks in the first picture, engine sputters then dies. My question is, whats supposed to keep tension on that lever? I figure the spring pulls it back, but what pulls it the other way?

 

[ILENGINE]

The air off of the flywheel is suppose to push it to open the choke when the engine is running.. It works in combination with the bimetal spring behind the muffler to keep it open for restarting when the engine is warm.

 

[nappyjim]

The air off of the flywheel is suppose to push it to open the choke when the engine is running.. It works in combination with the bimetal spring behind the muffler to keep it open for restarting when the engine is warm.

Any guesses as to why, if the engine is running, and sounds like is always has, its not being kept open? I cant really see where the other end of it, but maybe something broke off that supposed to catch the air?

 

[Rokon]

Like ILENGINE said, the air coming off of the flywheel is suppose to push that lever to the open position. The lever should move freely with only minimum tension from the spring. The other end under the starter cover looks kind of like a brake shoe to catch just enough air to open the choke.

 

[pugaltitude]

I would say that the thermostat is siezed which is not pushing the choke on and allowing it to start.
Remove the fuel tank and blower housing and look at the silver thermostat that the black air vane is touching.
It should be free and springy.
Also clean the carb while you are at it.