Lawn Mower No Worky

[Crowbob]

Around here, we call it rec gas. Readily a available, 90+ octane, non-ethanol gas at two-three times the cost of premium.

Every engine I own does better with it, especially with a shot of sta-bil once in a while.

Nothing better than having chainsaws, lawn mowers, trimmers, generators, and pumps start every time with just a couple pulls at most.

[KFC911]

Jumped to the end to pile on....

Don't use ethanol gas....it's that simple.

Around here....No ethanol 93 octane is mebbe .50 higher per gallon at the pump...if not available, buy the 'spensive stuff....whatever it takes to get sober .

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I would just pull the bowl from the carb ( on the mower if you can ) clean it out, spray carb cleaner/brake cleaner up through the jets .

This.
This works for me 99% of the time.
I have the biggest problem with my snowblower. I always forget to put Stabil in the gas and every winter the carb is gunked up. Fred's method always works for me.
Last year I remembered the Stabil and the one time I needed the snow blower this winter it started right up.
Casey's stores has pure dino gas and that is what I use now. I start putting Stabil in the mower gas cans in September. I always put it in the 2-cycle mix because it may take 3 months to use a gallon.

[wdfifteen]

Here:

https://www.pure-gas.org/maps

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Around here, we call it rec gas. Readily a available, 90+ octane, non-ethanol gas at two-three times the cost of premium.

Every engine I own does better with it, especially with a shot of sta-bil once in a while.

Nothing better than having chainsaws, lawn mowers, trimmers, generators, and pumps start every time with just a couple pulls at most.

I've been buying the Echo Red Max 2-cycle oil (methinks)....has Stabil in it and is red ....best stuff imo..and my Stihl dealers recommend it. The Stihl orange is OK....avoid the Stilh black bottles....(though I've used it forever). All per a Stihl pro dealer that knows more than I do

I miss Mike ....

[mattdavis11]

I always check the primer bulb first. They tend to split when schitty gas is involved. Outside of that, mix denatured alcohol with gas to get things rolling. Put it right in the tank.

[ckcarr]

Mine did this too. No start. Beginning of season. I just bought some spray Sea-Foam, gave it a shot in the air intake and it started right up. Probably just a tiny bit of dirt or something. Don't overthink it. It's just a lawnmower

[GH85Carrera]

I am lucky enough to have no alcohol gasoline available nearby. It is all I use. And when I go to get gas for the lawn equipment, I add in the Stabil before I pump in any gas. I never have gas around in cans that has not been dosed with Stabil at purchase time. It does not cost that much, and it is a billion times easier than futzing with issues caused by old gas.

[Tobra]

They don't sell no alcohol gas at gas stations here, unless it is at a race track or an airport.

[Evans, Marv]

Same around here. There is a place that sells race gas, but I don't know it it's alcohol free or not. Certainly there are no alcohol free locations on any maps.

[Baz]

So what happened? Did you get it going?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Tobra

They don't sell no alcohol gas at gas stations here, unless it is at a race track or an airport.

Then I would buy the gallons of premixed 2-cycle non-ethanol $old at dealers...in other states. Oh yeah take the damn CA spark arrester screens off of every thing you have too....yer welcome

[porsche930dude]

I pretty much fix small engines for a living. Off the cuff id say drop the bowl and spray it out with carb cleaner and up the jet with an air gun. Got a picture of the engine? that would help. As suggested check for spark first. Then try starter fluid.

[Superman]

Report: This engine does not have a fuel cut off valve, or a manual choke, or a priming bulb. Further, the manual says 10% ethanol is okay and to just top off the engine oil but do not change the engine oil. Anyhoo....

I put good gas in and it still won't start. I pulled and cleaned the spark plug, still no start. After several pulls, I removed the plug again and it was not wet nor did it smell like fuel. Then I had an assistant pull the rope while I looked for a spark. And so....AFAIK, it is getting no gas or spark. Would this cause it to not run?

My next plan is to get a fresh plug and some starter spray.

[Baz]

Fuel: remove fuel hose that feeds carb and make sure fuel is flowing - this can be done without engine running

Spark: get a spark plug tester and use that on the end of the spark plug wire. Wouldn't hurt to get a new plug either - but I'd get a tester and at least make sure you are getting spark.

Carb cleaning: you can remove the bowl, clean, and spray carb cleaner up into the jet as has been suggested. Without a pic of your carb it's hard to know for sure what else would help, except buying a new carb or cleaning the one you have by removing it and going through the whole thing.

Your carb is a very significant aspect of your mower - probably accounting for 90% or more of the issues I have dealt with - so take that info for what it's worth.

[Erakad]

Happened to my snowblower a couple years ago; drained the gas took the bowl off the carb, sprayed every opening in the carb with carb cleaner, reassembled and started. Not so hard, but I did at 10 degrees...and oh, bugered the bowl gasket because I couldn't feel my fingers....but the darn thing ran!

[Baz]

Go to the 3 minute mark and pay attention to what he says about cleaning out your main jet. My Toro carb (Kohler) doesn't have this type of main jet, but yours might.

[Baz]

And from Amazon here's a whole new carb* for only $9.99 - and free delivery with Prime.

*You'll have to check and see if this is the right one for your machine:
HOOAI 799866 Carburetor For Briggs Stratton 790845 799871 796707 794304 Toro Craftsman Carb

[Evans, Marv]

This may be something off the wall and not apply. But if you have no spark, is the spark created by a magneto? Could be the magnets have to be remagnetized.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Sounds like a good time to upgrade- get a Bitzkit EFI conversion.