mower runs for only 1-2 seconds

Posted by Phil on October 13, 2009, 2:05 pm

I push the primer about 10 times, then pull the cord a few times. Nothing.
When I repeat (it's about 60 degrees here today), the mower runs strongly for
only 1 or 2 seconds. Then I have to repeat all over again. It never runs more
than 2 seconds, and seems to run longer with more priming.

I expect it's a clogged fuel supply somehow, even though the primer does get
fuel to the engine.

Crafstman 15 yr old, self-propelled, 143.955500 engine

It ran out of gas the last time I used it, and now I have this problem. Maybe
some particles of something got into somewhere. Same gas as before, not a new
bad batch.

Air filter is not new at all, but I'd guess if it was bad, then the mower
would never start. (I already took the mower to the basement to work on it
away from the gnats, and it's partially disassembled - or else I'd remove the
air filter anyway to see how it runs then.)

Thanks for any ideas.

Posted by Lefty on October 13, 2009, 2:49 pm

>I push the primer about 10 times, then pull the cord a few times. Nothing.
> When I repeat (it's about 60 degrees here today), the mower runs strongly
> for
> only 1 or 2 seconds. Then I have to repeat all over again. It never runs
> more
> than 2 seconds, and seems to run longer with more priming.
> I expect it's a clogged fuel supply somehow, even though the primer does
> get
> fuel to the engine.
> Crafstman 15 yr old, self-propelled, 143.955500 engine
> It ran out of gas the last time I used it, and now I have this problem.
> Maybe
> some particles of something got into somewhere. Same gas as before, not a
> new
> bad batch.
> Air filter is not new at all, but I'd guess if it was bad, then the mower
> would never start. (I already took the mower to the basement to work on it
> away from the gnats, and it's partially disassembled - or else I'd remove
> the
> air filter anyway to see how it runs then.)
> Thanks for any ideas.

I think you answered your own questions. Ran out of gas, sucked up dirt,
now it won't suck gas. The primer bulb is a seperate gas circuit, it'll
never blow the dirt out. Pull the fuel bowl, check the jets for dirt,
carefully blow it out without damaging the float, and it will probably start
working OK. You may want to do the fuel tank while you're at it.

HTH, Lefty

Posted by jamesgangnc on October 13, 2009, 3:00 pm

> I push the primer about 10 times, then pull the cord a few times. Nothing=

> When I repeat (it's about 60 degrees here today), the mower runs strongly=

for

> only 1 or 2 seconds. Then I have to repeat all over again. It never runs =

> than 2 seconds, and seems to run longer with more priming.
> I expect it's a clogged fuel supply somehow, even though the primer does =

get

> fuel to the engine.
> Crafstman 15 yr old, self-propelled, 143.955500 engine
> It ran out of gas the last time I used it, and now I have this problem. M=

aybe

> some particles of something got into somewhere. Same gas as before, not a=

new

> bad batch.
> Air filter is not new at all, but I'd guess if it was bad, then the mower
> would never start. (I already took the mower to the basement to work on i=

> away from the gnats, and it's partially disassembled - or else I'd remove=

the

> air filter anyway to see how it runs then.)
> Thanks for any ideas.

Sounds like it is not getting gas. Somewhere a line is broken or
clogged. Primer bulbs usually have their own line into the tank.

Posted by fftt on October 13, 2009, 3:15 pm

> I push the primer about 10 times, then pull the cord a few times. Nothing=

> When I repeat (it's about 60 degrees here today), the mower runs strongly=

for

> only 1 or 2 seconds. Then I have to repeat all over again. It never runs =

> than 2 seconds, and seems to run longer with more priming.
> I expect it's a clogged fuel supply somehow, even though the primer does =

get

> fuel to the engine.
> Crafstman 15 yr old, self-propelled, 143.955500 engine
> It ran out of gas the last time I used it, and now I have this problem. M=

aybe

> some particles of something got into somewhere. Same gas as before, not a=

new

> bad batch.
> Air filter is not new at all, but I'd guess if it was bad, then the mower
> would never start. (I already took the mower to the basement to work on i=

> away from the gnats, and it's partially disassembled - or else I'd remove=

the

> air filter anyway to see how it runs then.)
> Thanks for any ideas.

I just had a similar problem with my 30 year old King-O-Lawn front
throw.

I empty the gas tank as best as I could, filled it up completely with
fresh gas, noted the idle (or maybe it was the mixture screw(?)
position)
unscrewed a couple turn, a couple pulls & it was trying to start. Re-
set screw position and it started & ran fine.

no trip to the lawnmower shop

cheers
Bob

Posted by Bill on October 13, 2009, 7:51 pm

Lately mowers do not come with fuel filters. This clogs the carburetor!

Install a fuel filter if you do not have one and clean the carburetor.

"Phil" wrote in message

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