Lawn Mower woes...

[Ghost]

Anyone tell me why my mower started spitting black smoke and coughing and sputtering yesterday? Ran great the day b4 and when I started it yesterday to finsih the yard it was running for shit. I pulled the plug and it was black. Fouled? Oil cacked? what causes this in a small engine?

 

[87manche]

usually most small engine problems are carb related, with valve problems being second. Soudns to me like your carb went to the super rich side of the spectrum. Try waving a propane torch next to the filter, the propane will lean the mix. If it peps up being fed propane then it's rich. You likely have some gunk in the carb, or the mixture screw has walked out.

 

[Jeff in VA]

Pull the float assembly apart and inspect/clean it. Also make sure the air cleaner is clean and serviceable. You mighta sucked a squirrel up into the carb

Jeff

 

[jelrod]

Also make sure the air cleaner is clean and serviceable. You mighta sucked a squirrel up into the carb

X2

Jason

 

[Ghost]

Pull the float assembly apart and inspect/clean it. Also make sure the air cleaner is clean and serviceable. You mighta sucked a squirrel up into the carb

Jeff

Did not think about that one..... duh! :jester: :confused1 :yelclap:

 

[MudDawg]

Make sure the choke lever didn't get snagged and turned on...

 

[Matthew Currie]

My guess, gunky carb, sticking float. Pretty common early in the season.