Small engine/ push mower repair in Aurora

[Lucky]

Looking for someone in North Aurora/ South Stapleton area with experience in small engine repair for help with Craftsman push mower. No bag, no assist, just a simple lightweight Craftsman.

Seems to be a simple issue, it cuts out repeatedly after 10-30 seconds of running. Please send a message if you know someone with a little time to help me figure it out and fix it.

Thanks

[CS1983]

This sound similar? If so, you might try the fix.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1501204/craftsman-lawn-mower-dies-after-a-few-seconds

[DFBrews]

If you get the carb off I can go through it and dip it this week

[Great-Kazoo]

Looking for someone in North Aurora/ South Stapleton area with experience in small engine repair for help with Craftsman push mower. No bag, no assist, just a simple lightweight Craftsman.

Seems to be a simple issue, it cuts out repeatedly after 10-30 seconds of running. Please send a message if you know someone with a little time to help me figure it out and fix it.

Thanks

Change the filter if any. Pull carb clean jet, needle & seat.

[SideShow Bob]

Doesn't anyone remember small engine repair from high school ?

Oh, wait, that was the early 70's, guess some members weren't even born yet...... And that isn't in the later high school curriculum.

[Great-Kazoo]

Doesn't anyone remember small engine repair from high school ?

Oh, wait, that was the early 70's, guess some members weren't even born yet...... And that isn't in the later high school curriculum.


Hence the pull & clean carb.

[CS1983]

Doesn't anyone remember small engine repair from high school ?

Oh, wait, that was the early 70's, guess some members weren't even born yet...... And that isn't in the later high school curriculum.

I had a similar problem with previous landlord's supplied lawnmower. I can fix computers, so the engine was easy. Youtube also helped. :D

[DFBrews]

I will have y'all know I disassembled a box fan this evening because of a ticking noise. Found some casting flaws in the fan blades hitting the motor housing causing the issue. Couple cuts with a knife and all is quiet and balanced on the air flow front.


oh and I can fix your carb too.

[spqrzilla]

There is a lawn mower repair shop on Chambers just north of Colfax or was a couple of years ago.

[Lucky]

CavSct1983 and Kazoo: thanks for the input. Fuel cap not clogged. I got what I need today to remove and clean carb. Will also change spark plug and air filter just for fun.

DFBrews: if I can't figure it out I'll send you a message, thanks.

SideShow: my HS did not offer Small Engine Repair but I killed it in Home Economics :)

[Erni]

A quick note: see if there is a fuel filter inline.

[Lucky]

A quick note: ... .

I found the manual online so I'll find out where fuel filter is, and check its condition, when I take it apart tomorrow. Thanks

[COcz]

On many of those small engines the fuel lines and other rubber and plastic parts will melt due to the ethanol mixed in the gas these days. I would replace those and rebuild the carb.

[Lucky]

Removed and cleaned entire carb, replaced extremely dirty air filter, cleaned space between gas tank and whatever is behind that (packed with oily grass and debris). Neither the manual or video said anything about a fuel filter and I assume I would have seen it in this process but I'll check again. Fuel was clean. I left spark plug alone for now because it starts fine and also I don't have the tool to gap the new one. Too late to fire it up tonight but I'm hoping it will quit stalling. We'll see.

[Erni]

You pisted that at 12:45am. Impressive.

[SideShow Bob]

You pisted that at 12:45am. Impressive.


"Pisted" ?............

[Erni]

"Pisted" ?............
Typing without a spell checker and walking.....[emoji5]

[Jimmy]

Good on you for tackling the basics before passing to a repair shop.

I've never had problems with small engines like I do now with the Ethanol-blend gas. I gotta stop using it. I don't find fuel stabilizers to be helpful either. I've done several fuel lines on chain saws and trimmers, and the lawn mower carb usually needs a full cleaning every two years.

I have a spark plug cleaner handy as well. The mower needed that versus the carb cleaning this season to get going.

[Lucky]

Pisted, ha! You guys are funny.

Today was first day off to try it and had the same problem. Runs about 5 seconds before stalling. (I did get to mow with my old one- pushing the 9,000 pounds of dead weight in broken drive assist belts and chains, among other broken components, was an excellent reminder why I got this newer one from Craigslist last month.) Oh, and I did pump the primer while it was running, as suggested in that link that was posted. Still nope.


... (snip)...
I have a spark plug cleaner handy as well. The mower needed that versus the carb cleaning this season to get going.

Thanks for that input, Jimmy. I'm going to find the fuel filter and change/clean plug before tapping out to trade these two in for something that works consistently.