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Hi all,
I have a Toro High Wheel Mower (Model 20016) with 6.5HP Tecumseh Engine, supposed to have a Guaranteed to start engine, it is 22" recycler, self propelled.

I really think my mower has its own mind, it is a nightmare to get it started, me and my kids are so much as scared to touch this thing. The biggest problem with this is to get it started, once it starts there is no stopping it, one of the smoothest mowers I have ever owned, starts on first pull (after first start). But to get that first start we have to do every possible dance under the sun.

Things I have done so far

1. 
   1. Watched several youtube videos of this guy who pulls out the jet from the bottom and simply cleans it with a wire and wallah the mower starts to work, well I did that too 3 times so far, including the bowl, spray the carb cleaner.
   2. Removed the little black protector and cleaned the jet on the top.
   3. Put a new air filter and spark plug (had to go back to the old one, clean and prep, because looks like the new one is not properly gapped).
   4. Tried starting with starter fluid, it works some times but more than likely doesn't make any difference

Also the spark is clean and there is no problem there.
Am I missing a trick here? Please help, there are so many experts here, I am hoping one of you might have a simple answer to this problem.
Occasionally during summers, if i had left the mower out for couple of hours it seemed have help it start too, but that is sporadic and that trick seems to be over used now and my mower thinks i used enough turns of that too :frown:

Any help is much appreciated, I have in my possession a carb kit (same model as stated on the manual), but I am too intimidated to replace it yet, also trying to run out time with winter setting in, as a worst case start with new carb next season (worst case really)

Wonder if your choke is stuck open. When its completely cold pull the starter a few times like your trying to start it. Take the air filter and housing off and see if the metal plate inside the carb is .closing off the hole if not try seeing if you can manually close it let us know what you find

Thank you for replying, is the plate visible once I take out the air filter ? I am a real newbie. Thanks

joesucks said:

Thank you for replying, is the plate visible once I take out the air filter ? I am a real newbie. Thanks

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Yes it should be. some of the newer mowers it could be plastic and also some of them have a primer. I really didn't say anything because I don't know what you have.

I am not 100% sure your mower has a choke. Most 6.5 Tecumseh's have the red primer bulb to aid starting, and nothing else. :ashamed:

Rokon said:

I am not 100% sure your mower has a choke. Most 6.5 Tecumseh's have the red primer bulb to aid starting, and nothing else. :ashamed:

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some kind of door should be in there no? Something governs throttle and it should be closed when cold and open when warm

most techumsehs only have the throttle blade in the carb for controlling the throttle. they usually have a primer bulb instead of a choke.

afoulk said:

most techumsehs only have the throttle blade in the carb for controlling the throttle. they usually have a primer bulb instead of a choke.

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Interesting sorry for my ignorance I tend to stay Way from tecumenseh they are just headaches waiting to happen so if the primer bulb is all that helps cold start I would start with that is it intact is it kind that pushes fuel or air?

I would start by removing the carb and giving it a good cleaning. When you put it back together, I would install a new float needle and seat. Part number 631021B. If you decide to got this direction and need help installing the new parts, post back and I'll post a step by step procedure.

Thanks all for replying, I didn't find any metal plate, all I saw was a red straw kind of a thing when I removed the air filter, I was going to take a picture but saw online dis-assembly had a much better representation of what I was looking at Disassembly, Cleaning and Repair of Tecumseh Series 11 Carburetor

Rivets said:

I would start by removing the carb and giving it a good cleaning. When you put it back together, I would install a new float needle and seat. Part number 631021B. If you decide to got this direction and need help installing the new parts, post back and I'll post a step by step procedure.

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Step-by-Step instructions will be really helpful if you have any, I will go ahead and order the Part. Thank you so much.

Here is the procedure that I use, except I have a special factory tool instead of the drill bit and the #5 crotchet tool. Other posts have use it and been successful. Remember this is just my way of doing it.


Needle and seat replacement

Remove the carb, and then remove the float bowl. Check the float bowl jet (which is the bowl screw) and make sure the jets both horizontal and vertical are clean and open. Tip the carb upside down and remove the float pin and float with needle attached. Look in the float needle passage and you should see the red or white float seat at the bottom of the passage. This is where a #5 crotchet hook would come in handy as you need to remove this seat. If you have no hook, but compressed air, you can blow through the fuel inlet and try to pop the seat out. Put your thumb over the passage to prevent the seat from flying who knows where. No air or hook try bending a stiff paper clip to dig the seat out.

With the seat out clean the passage way with carb cleaner. Now you must find a drill bit slightly smaller than the passage way, to be used to press in the new seat. Apply a very, very small amount of a very light lube to the new seat. 3-1 oil or lighter, to help seat it better. Carefully insert the new seat in the passage way with the rings on the seat down toward the carb body. Slowly and carefully force the seat down with the back end of the drill bit. Once it is seated, check to see that it did not flip and the rings are up. If everything looks correct, attach the new needle to the float and install with the float pin centered. It everything is correct, the float should seat level to the carb body, when looking at it upside down. If everything looks good reattach the float bowl, making sure that both the bowl gasket and the nut gasket seal properly. Reinstall on the engine and test unit. Remember to have patience and take your time. Good luck, but I don't think you'll need it.