TexasCHLforum.com

Abraham wrote:If I won't be using any of my gas running machines for a month or more, I run them til all the gas is used up. This way there's no gas left in the carb to cause fouling next time I fire them up.

This approach has never failed me.

Yup, that's the thing to do. Let it run itself dry. Unless you're storing gas for an emergency generator, dump the rest of the gas in your handy dandy gas can into your vehicles and burn it up. Do not store it over the winter. The ethanol attracts water and will ruin a can of gasoline.

I removed the float bowl and there was a bit of crud in the bottom. I cleaned out and the holes in the bolt and that did the trick. I'll probably still put a bit of carb cleaner in the gas though.

ghostrider wrote:I removed the float bowl and there was a bit of crud in the bottom. I cleaned out and the holes in the bolt and that did the trick. I'll probably still put a bit of carb cleaner in the gas though.

Good on ya!!

I would still run some carb cleaner in the gas to clean out all the little passages and jets. When you're done with it, be sure to run the gas tank completely dry or if there is a fuel shutoff, shut that off and run the carb dry.

would still run some carb cleaner in the gas to clean out all the little passages and jets. When you're done with it, be sure to run the gas tank completely dry or if there is a fuel shutoff, shut that off and run the carb dry.

Since I'm using it at least every 2 weeks, I didn't run it dry. I used it a couple of weeks ago with no problem; yesterday it started acting up again.

This time I pulled the carb off and made sure it was all clean inside; checked the holes in the bolt that holds the float bowl on. Put it all back together and....same problem. Starts after much priming, but won't run.

I think my options at the moment appear to be:
1. pull the muffler and see if that's the problem
2. pull the carb again and soak it in carb cleaner
3. replace the carb ($38 at Sears)

After fighting that same problem longer than I want to admit on more than one engine, all I can tell you is that you need to buy a new carb. I tried soaking the whole carb in carb cleaner (completely broken down), and I would only get burp from the engine. I bought a new carb, and now they fire right up.

Most or all of the small engine makers I know of are no longer saying to run the carb dry or drain the gas. The ethanol that replaced the MTBE a few years back dries out and ruins things that are not supposed to dry out. The best thing I'm seeing is to leave the gas in with Sta-Bil and run the engine a little bit every month or so. My Echo machines don't seem to care if you do or not but my Stihls and Briggs do. 4 of my 5 Echos are over 20 years old and I've never touched the carb on any of them. I'm lucky to go 2 or 3 years without carb repair on the Stihls. Sure seems to vary by manufacturer.

I quit running my generator dry, too, after having a very difficult time getting it to run afterwards. When in town, I start it every week and run for 5 minutes. When out of town for extended periods (2 to 3 months), I leave it with 1 inch of gasoline and stabilizer. It still has carb cleaner in that 1 inch as of today. Continues to start on first pull.

My problem may be related to the automatic choke. If I remove the spring that keeps the choke open and fully close the choke I can get the mower to run a little longer, though it doesn't run smoothly. The choke is not sticking and I can see it operate after removing the plastic engine cover, but I still can't get it to stay running.

I may have to take it somewhere for repair.....

I replaced the carb. It fired right up.
problem solved.

I replaced the carb. It fired right up.
problem solved.

Good for you.

Who says I ever give bad advice?... Wait.

If you want to give your revitalized mower a real test, bring it to my house. I've got plenty of testing that needs done.

If you want to give your revitalized mower a real test, bring it to my house. I've got plenty of testing that needs done.

sure,...oh, wait. I'm busy that weekend. :-)