Lawn Mower Sounds Like it's Going to Stall ( but doesn't )

Posted by Jeffy3 on October 12, 2009, 11:23 am

Have a Craftsman gas push mower that I just bought at the beginning of
this summer. Suddenly the last two times I have used it it sounds like
it's going to stall although it never does. It hums along fine for a
few seconds then sounds like it's about to stall then it picks up and
hums along again for a few seconds, almost like clockwork. When I
push down on the handle to lift the front wheels off the grass, the
engine runs fine. Any ideas?

Posted by Jon Danniken on October 12, 2009, 1:15 pm

Jeffy3 wrote:

> Have a Craftsman gas push mower that I just bought at the beginning of
> this summer. Suddenly the last two times I have used it it sounds like
> it's going to stall although it never does. It hums along fine for a
> few seconds then sounds like it's about to stall then it picks up and
> hums along again for a few seconds, almost like clockwork. When I
> push down on the handle to lift the front wheels off the grass, the
> engine runs fine. Any ideas?

Sounds like something with the carburator. Who made the engine?

Also, maybe it is still under warranty.

Jon

Posted by dpb on October 12, 2009, 1:16 pm

Jon Danniken wrote:

> Jeffy3 wrote:

>> Have a Craftsman gas push mower that I just bought at the beginning of
>> this summer. Suddenly the last two times I have used it it sounds like
>> it's going to stall although it never does. It hums along fine for a
>> few seconds then sounds like it's about to stall then it picks up and
>> hums along again for a few seconds, almost like clockwork. When I
>> push down on the handle to lift the front wheels off the grass, the
>> engine runs fine. Any ideas?

>
> Sounds like something with the carburator. Who made the engine?

...

Cleaned the air filter yet?

Make sure the throttle linkage is clear of debris/dirt.

DAGS for "surging" or "hunting" and small engines. B&S has a pretty
good FAQ site that leads thru troubleshooting process.

--

Posted by DerbyDad03 on October 12, 2009, 1:44 pm

> Have a Craftsman gas push mower that I just bought at the beginning of
> this summer. Suddenly the last two times I have used it it sounds like
> it's going to stall although it never does. =A0It hums along fine for a
> few seconds then sounds like it's about to =A0stall then it picks up and
> hums along again for a few seconds, almost like clockwork. =A0 When I
> push down on the handle to lift the front wheels off the grass, the
> engine runs fine. =A0Any ideas?

When I had that symptom it was diagnosed as a bad carb.

Between that, 2 bald front wheels, a dull blade and a broken blade
mounting bracket, I opted for new.

Couldn't be happier. Honda engine with an automatic choke. Starts with
one pull (or less) everytime.

Hopefully it'll do the same after being stored for it's first winter.

Posted by Joe on October 12, 2009, 2:18 pm

>snip<

> Couldn't be happier. Honda engine with an automatic choke. Starts with
> one pull (or less) everytime.

Careful there, it may start by just touching the pull handle. Approach
with extreme caution.

Joe

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 > last >>

Similar Threads	Posted
help. sudden stall of lawn mower. gas in oil reservior.	November 28, 2005, 5:39 pm
Craftsman lawn mower scalps lawn- need advice	May 26, 2008, 8:26 am
lawn mower	October 23, 2005, 6:29 pm
Lawn Mower Help	April 16, 2006, 2:51 pm
Re: Getting lawn mower going again...	March 28, 2007, 11:36 pm
Re: Getting lawn mower going again...	March 26, 2007, 5:55 pm
Re: Getting lawn mower going again...	March 26, 2007, 7:13 pm
Need help with lawn mower	May 14, 2008, 11:39 am
lawn mower knocks	August 5, 2005, 2:59 pm
Any lawn mower experts?	October 15, 2005, 6:08 pm