Toro Recycler 22" Non Starter

[css9343]

Hello, got an puzzler for the hive mind here.

I have a Toro Recycler self propelled mower, model 20332, with a 190cc Briggs and Stratton engine.

Doing regular spring maintenance and upkeep, but am unable to get the mower to start, even with many pulls.

If the mower starts at all, it will not start up again after shutting off. I've verified carb is getting fuel supply and choke is clear. I should also mention the choke is one of Toro's auto ReadyStart chokes.

Repairs so far:
- New oil
- Cleaned fuel lines, running ethanol free gas
- New carb, also rebuilt old carb and attempted that. Cleaned main jet and float bowl.
- New spark plug
- New air filter.

Any advice would be much appreciated! I'd like to fix this one up.

 

[Rivets]

Two things to check. First remove the air filter and check to see if the choke is fully closed. If it is closed I suspect the the float seat is swelled causing a lean condition. Remedy is to remove the carb and rebuild with a new float needle and seat, Briggs part number 398188. This is the procedure I use and recommend.

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 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.
I would either give the carb a good 24 hour soaking or have it ultrasonically cleaned at this time.
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. Next check to make sure that the float does not have any liquid in it. If it does, replace. 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.
PS: On the side of some Tecumseh carbs you will find a plastic cover. Under this cover will be an idle jet. Remove it and check to see that the jet is open both horizontally and vertically. You should be able to push the old float needle wire through the vertical opening.

 

[css9343]

Two things to check. First remove the air filter and check to see if the choke is fully closed. If it is closed I suspect the the float seat is swelled causing a lean condition. Remedy is to remove the carb and rebuild with a new float needle and seat, Briggs part number 398188. This is the procedure I use and recommend.

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 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.
I would either give the carb a good 24 hour soaking or have it ultrasonically cleaned at this time.
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. Next check to make sure that the float does not have any liquid in it. If it does, replace. 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.
PS: On the side of some Tecumseh carbs you will find a plastic cover. Under this cover will be an idle jet. Remove it and check to see that the jet is open both horizontally and vertically. You should be able to push the old float needle wire through the vertical opening.

Thanks for the feedback, I'll have to give it a shot! I think one thing I also need to try is a shot of starter fluid in the choke to see if it runs. If so then I know it's definitely a fuel delivery issue in the carb. It's strange because it's a brand new carb, never been used on a mower, not even this one.

 

[Rivets]

I’ve seen this exact problem many times, many with new carbs.

 

[css9343]

I'll have to look into it. I did also fine the intake manifold is cracked, so I'm also going to replace that and the auto-choke spring and see what happens. Cleaned the carb out and needle and seat and that looks good. Float bowl sits properly and let's fuel through when appropriate.

 

[Rivets]

Cracked manifold will cause those symptoms.

 

[css9343]

Cracked manifold will cause those symptoms.

Yeah I just replaced the manifold and cleaned the carb, general tune up all around. Works first pull now! Thanks for the advice