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My mower is an early 90's MTD Panther, Model 13AN695G062 6448. The motor is a B&S 16.5 HP Model 313777 Type 0112-E1 Code 9810222ZE. I have carb problems. A rubber seal inside the fuel cap disintegrated and I figure some of the pieces got past the fuel filter. Motor starts and runs for a second or two, so some gas seems to be getting by but not enough. I've cleaned the fuel tank, replaced the fuel lines and filter and that didn't fix the problem, so I now plan to remove and clean the float bowl and main fuel mixture valve. Here's my current problem/question. I've never done this before and on the bottom of my float bowl, covering the fuel mixture valve is a round metal device with wires running from it. I need to know what this is/does and how best to remove it as it looks like it is crimped on. I have attached a .jpg. Thanks for any help

first off grab the wire portion on the wires hanging out of the bottom the the right thing (fuel solenoid) and pull down gently while wiggling and it should unplug. next look between the fat round part and the bottom of the bowl and you will see to flat spots like a nut. get a thin 1/2 wrench and put on the flat parts and unscrew the solenoid and remove the bowl.

Thanks for the reply. What actuates the solenoid?

I have another question. I removed the solenoid and main fuel mixture valve and the bowl and cleaned them. I put them back on but there was no change - engine would start and run for a second or two and then shut off. Then I tested the solenoid by jumpering it directly to the battery. Each time I completed the circuit there was a nice loud click from the solenoid. So I figured that it was okay and went off to do other stuff. When I came back to it today, the mower started and ran perfectly. So here's the question, do fuel solenoids fail like that - intermittently - or should I be looking for something else?
Thanks

gpinnc said:

I have another question. I removed the solenoid and main fuel mixture valve and the bowl and cleaned them. I put them back on but there was no change - engine would start and run for a second or two and then shut off. Then I tested the solenoid by jumpering it directly to the battery. Each time I completed the circuit there was a nice loud click from the solenoid. So I figured that it was okay and went off to do other stuff. When I came back to it today, the mower started and ran perfectly. So here's the question, do fuel solenoids fail like that - intermittently - or should I be looking for something else?
Thanks

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I think....among other things it's wired to a switch in the seat so it will stop if some unfortunate fellow should fall or otherwise exit the mower unexpectedly....so the mower will stop.

The electromagnet can fail causing the engine to die or not start. I have also seen the plastic tip come off and stop the engine. If you just crank the engine it will not restart but if you shut the key off first then crank it would restart and run until the tip came off again. Have apoxied more than 1 tip in the last few years.

Hey there - WELCOME to LMF!

I moved your thread to the Small Engine & Mower Repair Forum. :smile:

You may have to take a cheap wrench and grind it down to fit in there. It is tappet wrench thin down in between the carb and solenoid.:biggrin:

Thanks to all for the replies and especially to ILENGINE. I'm going to order a new solenoid. Can't hurt and seems like the most likely fix. Will post back if that doesn't do it.

benski said:

You may have to take a cheap wrench and grind it down to fit in there. It is tappet wrench thin down in between the carb and solenoid.:biggrin:

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Still may have to grind that down too. I have a ground down 1/2 for solenoids and a ground down 7/16 for the inner nut on the briggs starters.