OT-lawn mower repair Off forum questions?

[myxpykalix]

I need to ask some questions off forum regarding a fairly new craftsman lawn mower and rebuilding a carbuerator since it will run when i spray fluid in but doesn't seem to push gas into the motor to run. Anyone with small engine experience please email me myxpykalix@hotmail.com
since i'm sure they don't want me to run a thread here...:(

HOW DO I DELETE A POST OR TOPIC? I got the help i need but can't figure out how to delete a post?:confused:

[jerry_stanek]

Is the gas getting into the bowl? It could be a stuck needle valve.

[gene]

I want to see the hold down system you use to hold it to the shopbot while you work on it:eek:

[knight_toolworks]

Just scan it in 3d and machine a new one.

[Brady Watson]

Do the chickens have large talons?

[bobmoore]

It is much more efficient to mow the grass with the BOT and throw the mower out.

[CNYDWW]

It is much more efficient to mow the grass with the BOT and throw the mower out.

With a Craftsman? That's the truth.

[Brady Watson]

...it will run when i spray fluid in but doesn't seem to push gas into the motor to run.

The carb is most likely gummed up due to the ethanol in the gas. Gas these days separates very quickly. Drain the fuel into a disposal container. (Buy AV gas for over wintering to prevent gumming)

Pull it apart and clean it really well. Be sure not to lose the needle or little seat 'donut' above the bowl float - clean & blow out all passages with compressed air into a rag so you don't shoot any parts out across the room.

Carburators work on the venturi (vacuum) effect. If passages are blocked, the vacuum can't suck the liquid fuel up to be atomized. Check the filters from the tank to carb inlet & all screens (could have one over carb dip tube if equipped).

Make sure intake gasket is good when you put it back on or it will run lean & pop. Do NOT remove ANY of the mixture screws before first turning them in and counting the number of turns to stop (and write that down for each) or you'll have to look up this info later.

-B

[myxpykalix]

Brady,
Is there anything you DON"T know about?:D After doing some research and talking to others your diagnosis is right on!
Now the practical part here is, after buying a rebuild kit, shipping and the labor to rebuild it, it isn't much more expensive to buy a whole new carbuerator for a littler over $30. So that is what i did. All i have to do is bolt it on and go and the difference might be 10-15 bucks.

What is sad is, that as a kid out of highschool i went to technical school for auto mechanics and could tear a motor, trans, carb, whatever apart and put it together practically blindfolded.:eek: Then i went on to a home building apprenticeship. That clearly helped with my shopbot knowledge.
I guess all that knowledge oozed out of my brain over the years.:( I guess because you are younger, you still can retain stuff that us "older folks" tend to forget.

[Brady Watson]

I try to know as much as I can about everything...and yes, a lot of it has 'leaked out' or spoiled over the years! I've done my fair share of engine rebuilding and tuning...and still do. I have tractors and equipment from my family's farm that are nearly 60 yrs old...and ya gotta know 'a thing or two' to keep them going. Rebuilt my 1st Briggs when I was 10 all by myself after I found out what removing the governor would do on my go cart :D

Yep - most likely cheaper and the path of least resistance to buy a new carb. The thing about those carbs is that if there is any water in the bowl it winds up eating and corroding the passageways to the point where they don't work anymore. I had to do this recently on a 8hp Tecumseh that got left out in the weather...except my carb was $90. You're getting off cheap at 1/2 that price!

The ethanol gas is absolute junk. We are getting robbed 10% of what we are supposed to be getting. It is OK in an engine that is run regularly, but anything that runs from time to time or gets over wintered gets AV gas in it. It's only like $6/gal @ the airport and it's worth every penny. It has stabilizers in it, is 100+ octane and everything fires right up after sitting for months. Well worth the initial sticker shock. Plus, I like the smell when it burns in an engine...smells like the drag strip :)

-B

[myxpykalix]

I found out what removing the governor would do on my go cart

We had an alley behnd our house and charged the neighborhood kids a nickel a lap to drive our gocart! That paid for our gas to ride, comic books (Sgt. Fury and the Howling Commandos) and a few candy bars to boot! to be a kid again....:(

[myxpykalix]

I ordered the carb on the 9th, got it on the 12th installed it and after a few shots of starting fluid she cranked right up and i got the lawn mowed. I was surprised how quickly i got it.

[Brady Watson]

Y'all need one of these...Used to take me 6hrs to mow with a lawn tractor...Now it only takes 2hrs. Tops out almost 9mph & will do wheelies :D

-B