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Toro self propelled push mower leaking gas
#1
C
colynn
C
colynn
I have a 2003 toro push mower that has worked great and has had a few tune-ups over the years, last year where the primer push button is, it leaks gas especially while mowing and when the gas tank is full,even while not running until it gets to a lower level of gas in the tank. I took it to a small engine repair shop, he replaced the carburetor and push button, and said he fixed the problem, however it still leaks gas. When I took the mower back to him he looked at it a little and did something but was upset we asked him to look at it again
Does anyone have any idea what this problem is, where to take it to fix, and is it safe to use with the leak, should I just look to get a new mower or can the issue be fixed?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
Does anyone have any idea what this problem is, where to take it to fix, and is it safe to use with the leak, should I just look to get a new mower or can the issue be fixed?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
#2
R
Rivets
R
Rivets
Please provide us with the model and serial numbers for your mower, so we have an idea of which of the 25+ different setups Toro mower you have. Second, where is the fuel leaking, tank, carb, manifold or fuel line.
#3
C
colynn
below is a picture of the primer button and the carburetor, the leaking comes right at the primer button, between the button and the socket it is in.
the only number I found on the mower is 2103382005, its a Toro recycler 22 front drive
C
colynn
thanks for the relpyPlease provide us with the model and serial numbers for your mower, so we have an idea of which of the 25+ different setups Toro mower you have. Second, where is the fuel leaking, tank, carb, manifold or fuel line.
below is a picture of the primer button and the carburetor, the leaking comes right at the primer button, between the button and the socket it is in.
the only number I found on the mower is 2103382005, its a Toro recycler 22 front drive
Please provide us with the model and serial numbers for your mower, so we have an idea of which of the 25+ different setups Toro mower you have. Second, where is the fuel leaking, tank, carb, manifold or fuel
Attachments
#4
R
Rivets
R
Rivets
Mower model and serial numbers are under the bagger discharge cover. First, I think you got taken by that “mechanic”. You say he replaced both the primer bulb and carb. A new carb will have the primer bulb installed, no need to replace. Second, from the picture, I’m 90% sure that the carb is not new, just cleaned up with a new primer bulb. Please elaborate when you post back with the model and serial numbers. Also, from your receipt please post the part numbers for both the carb and bulb you were charged full. I feel there is an easy fix for your problem, but need more info before telling you how to proceed.
#5
C
colynn
Model# 20005
Serial# 260039897
I checked my receipt from the mechanic and he only changed the primer bulb, spark plug, air filter and an oil change for $125.71
No part numbers for any of it.
C
colynn
OKMower model and serial numbers are under the bagger discharge cover. First, I think you got taken by that “mechanic”. You say he replaced both the primer bulb and carb. A new carb will have the primer bulb installed, no need to replace. Second, from the picture, I’m 90% sure that the carb is not new, just cleaned up with a new primer bulb. Please elaborate when you post back with the model and serial numbers. Also, from your receipt please post the part numbers for both the carb and bulb you were charged full. I feel there is an easy fix for your problem, but need more info before telling you how to proceed.
Model# 20005
Serial# 260039897
I checked my receipt from the mechanic and he only changed the primer bulb, spark plug, air filter and an oil change for $125.71
No part numbers for any of it.
#6
R
Rivets
R
Rivets
First, you need a new mechanic. In my 50+ years of repairing engines I’ve never heard of a fuel leak being fixed by replacing a primer bulb. This guy is the reason small engine techs get a bad reputation. I wouldn’t let him work on my grand daughter’s plastic mower. If this came to me, this is what I would be doing. Rebuilding the carb with a new float needle and seat, Tecumseh part number 631021B. If you are mechanically inclined you can do it yourself. This is the procedure I use and have posted in the past. If you do it yourself, take many pictures to refresh your memory when reassembling.
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.
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.
#7
Tiger Small Engine
Tiger Small Engine
Wow, this guy that works on small engines and gets upset when he has a come back is making a lick for $125 on what little he did. I charge $65 plus parts as needed for full tune up on self-propelled mower.OK
Model# 20005
Serial# 260039897
I checked my receipt from the mechanic and he only changed the primer bulb, spark plug, air filter and an oil change for $125.71
No part numbers for any of it.
#8
C
colynn
I myself am not that mechanically inclined but I have a friend or two that are so I will show this to them!
Thanks again
C
colynn
Thank- you Rivet for the very thorough reply on how to fix my mower,First, you need a new mechanic. In my 50+ years of repairing engines I’ve never heard of a fuel leak being fixed by replacing a primer bulb. This guy is the reason small engine techs get a bad reputation. I wouldn’t let him work on my grand daughter’s plastic mower. If this came to me, this is what I would be doing. Rebuilding the carb with a new float needle and seat, Tecumseh part number 631021B. If you are mechanically inclined you can do it yourself. This is the procedure I use and have posted in the past. If you do it yourself, take many pictures to refresh your memory when reassembling.
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.
I myself am not that mechanically inclined but I have a friend or two that are so I will show this to them!
Thanks again
#9
L
LMPPLUS
L
LMPPLUS
I have a 2003 toro push mower that has worked great and has had a few tune-ups over the years, last year where the primer push button is, it leaks gas especially while mowing and when the gas tank is full,even while not running until it gets to a lower level of gas in the tank. I took it to a small engine repair shop, he replaced the carburetor and push button, and said he fixed the problem, however it still leaks gas. When I took the mower back to him he looked at it a little and did something but was upset we asked him to look at it again
Does anyone have any idea what this problem is, where to take it to fix, and is it safe to use with the leak, should I just look to get a new mower or can the issue be fixed?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
#11
H
Honest Abe
Does the clown post his hourly labor rate...?
Looks like about $90 from your receipt - changed the primer bulb, spark plug, air filter and an oil change for $125.71
H
Honest Abe
Uhmmm, "I have a 2003 toro push mower that has worked great and has had a few tune-ups over the years, last year where the primer push button is, it leaks gas especially while mowing and when the gas tank is full,even while not running until it gets to a lower level of gas in the tank. I took it to a small engine repair shop, he replaced the carburetor and push button, and said he fixed the problem, however it still leaks gas. When I took the mower back to him he looked at it a little and did something but was upset we asked him to look at it again
Does anyone have any idea what this problem is, where to take it to fix, and is it safe to use with the leak, should I just look to get a new mower or can the issue be fixed?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
so, what was this half-assed mechanics' final evaluation of his non-repair.... ?he looked at it a little and did something but was upset we asked him to look at it again"
Does the clown post his hourly labor rate...?
Looks like about $90 from your receipt - changed the primer bulb, spark plug, air filter and an oil change for $125.71
#12
Tool_Maker_Tim
Tool_Maker_Tim
First, let me say that I'm a tremendous Tecumseh fan. For better or worse, they are one of my favorite brands to tinker with. I have them in most sizes and HP ranges. a rather common issue with most of them is a sticking carb float. if your leak is coming out of the breather, then that would be my first place to look. I'm with everyone else in believing you should fire your mechanic! I get pissed when I make mistakes, but in no way would I get angry at the customer for demanding that they get their money's worth. Bad shade tree wanna-be!I have a 2003 toro push mower that has worked great and has had a few tune-ups over the years, last year where the primer push button is, it leaks gas especially while mowing and when the gas tank is full,even while not running until it gets to a lower level of gas in the tank. I took it to a small engine repair shop, he replaced the carburetor and push button, and said he fixed the problem, however it still leaks gas. When I took the mower back to him he looked at it a little and did something but was upset we asked him to look at it again
Does anyone have any idea what this problem is, where to take it to fix, and is it safe to use with the leak, should I just look to get a new mower or can the issue be fixed?
Thanks in advance for any insight!