irrotational Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 I have a lawn mower thats not been used much...it did start and run in June, but now won't fire at all... I have pulled and pulled but not so much as a cough. The mower itself is only two years old... 1. Is it just "old" petrol? its been in the tank for awhile as I only started it in june to keep it ticking over 2. Has the carb( or whatever it is) got blocked? In order of easiest/quickest to hardest/slowest, what should I do to try and fix it/test it? Its a cheapo mower with basic briggs/stratton engine. --- my mind is blank.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Probably the petrol. Put a half a teaspoonful of fresh petrol straight into the plughole and it should at least fire and often will suck the fuel up from the tank. Doubt it has an electrical fault if its new Edited by - Graham Perry on 16 Nov 2010 21:29:51 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ajaya Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 I had one of them Briggs/Stratton things only lasted me three years. Try replacing the spark plug or cleaning it. After replacing the spark plug about five times, taking the head off and cleaning the cylinder I ditched it and bought a Honda. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderlane Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Try replacing the diaphragm and spark plug. Both available cheap on ebay; about £4 for the diaphragm and £3 for a genuine plug - fixed my Briggs and Stratton engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted November 16, 2010 Area Representative Share Posted November 16, 2010 Most likely to be old petrol. Buy some Easystart and give it a quick squirt and you should be away Back in a BEC! - but done alright in Class 1... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colindavies56 Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 smell the petrol,if it smell's like vinegar,its gone flat,it should smell sharp like a spirit. also,check colour of spark,if its orange,bin it,it should be blue/white,and if you have tipped it on its side,did you make sure it was exhaust up,if your getting tired pulling the cord,take pull cover off and put a socket and drill on crankshaft nut to start it,whenit starts,pull socket off quick,as mower spins quicker than drill. this way is handy if cord snaps,as it will get you out of a pickle. good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbird Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 could once again be in sucking eggs territory but it is based on my own stupidity, has it got a little choke lever on Carb that you have forgotten about, has it got a "tickler" a little button/lever to prime carb with petrol, has it got an ignition cut out that earths the plug lead Tim CSR 200 Aztec and Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_h Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 are you sure fuel is getting through? Remove the carb bowl and see if fuel is filling it, as they fur up. Clean any in-line filters too. White road legal 2.0 HPC VX race car - Now all shiney and new 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterg Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 get a Honda..... mine sits in the shed for 4-5 months unused and fires second pull with whatever petrol is left in there from last time i used it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Old jungle juice. You could try gasflowing the head and lightening the conrod and then running it on a methanol/petrol mix. Did this when I was 17 with a mate's dads mower. Revved like a bastard for a good 10 minutes before the conrod exited the block and headed for the compost heap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattie Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 BTW, if you store a Briggs and Stratton "nose down", the oil tank will drain into the engine. That stops it working proper! I couldn't be arsed fettling our old B&S time after time and also went out and got a Honda - a nice little self powered 18" Izy. Starts first time after months of sitting and actually does a good job of cutting the grass! Martyn R300GRR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 The cheapo B&S carbs have a very odd fuel delivery system. There's a little tube below the carb that sits in the tank. It has a ball valve (non return valve). If fuel is left in the tank for long periods it gums up - strangely enough this has the opposite effect from what you'd imagine - mower runs rich and fouls the spark plug. Free this off and replace the old petrol and I think you'll be fine, but drain the tank (run it empty) before future storage. Allen Should add - check condition of the plug and test for a spark. Edited by - allen on 17 Nov 2010 14:52:11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALEVS7 Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Honda !!!! Al Evs. The Ultimate driving machine isn't German!!!....here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 You need a blue spark and not a yellow one if you test it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Mine (Mountfield) has a button under the float chamber. Press it a few times (untill you get petrol on your finger) give it full choke and away it goes. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 AVES, I did the same as well... with the same effect, 1 mountfield with a nice hole in the side and a busted con rod... that was on Petrol though. Jonathan ========================= My Flickr Gallery 92 Supersprint, Ford LSD LA, RK AX Crossflow. Stealth model (Matt Black and Ali), rebuild completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve hall Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Nothing wrong with Briggs and Stratton, I have them in a variety of mowers over the years, never serviced them and they are very reliable. My present mower is 10 years old and I have just treated it to a new plug!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_Rich Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Hi I used an addative made by B&S to stop petrol going stale and gumming up works. after using pulled the string until felt the unit was at the top of compression stroke both valves shut so dont rust up. sometimes used bradex easy start. worked fine for 20 years with just one carb rebuild (when diaphragm pin holed). just sold it on to mate who still has no trouble with it. easy start or similar ether based product should start most things--only tinker with it if it dont!! best of luck Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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