Tired of tearing mower apart

[dgn]

Good afternoon guys,

I have a cheap, Murray brand push mower I bought from Wal-Mart last year. 125cc Briggs and Stratton engine, nothing fancy. If it starts at all, it runs for about thirty feet and then it is all over until I tear apart the carb and clean it. Runs fine after I tinker with it, but this is every time I want to mow. I actually bought this mower because my last mower was doing the same thing.

My question is, do you guys have any tips on how to keep this from happening? I store it outside in my back yard. I've noticed a correlation between this happening and it raining here. It did in fact rain very hard here a few days ago. Is rain water getting into the engine/carb and causing the problem?

David

 

[R18Civic]

I've got a similar issue with a 30 some year old push mower. Have to blast the spark club with carb cleaner and scrub the carbon deposits off it every time I use it but she fires up and runs well.

 

[Chris142]

Find out where the contaminants are coming from. Did you add an inline fuel filter?

 

[spasm3]

Is there a fuel filter on it? If not, install one.

 

[Warstud]

Does it have Fresh Gas in it?

 

[NJ_Car_Owner]

It could be dirt, old gas or possibly dirty carb; also could be the wrong gas (E85). I am not knowledgeable about engines but I had issues with both a lawnmower and snowblower and 2 different repair places gave me these reasons. I have a lawnmower that about 2 years after buying it wouldn't start when hot, had it repaired and had them install an inline filter for dirt - haven't have a problem since then. Both places told me to just buy enough gas for about 2 weeks to keep fresh gas around for them... of course I didn't listen because it's a pain to only have a small amount of gas around to do the lawn.

 

[Merkava_4]

Rain water could be getting in through the vent holes in the gas cap. Another thing to look at is how clean your gasoline is. Carburetors require sterilized gasoline. No foreign particles.

 

[Donald]

Rain can't be helpful to a mower. I would cover it. Maybe add an inline fuel filter. Drain fuel tank into a clear jar and see what's there. Use E0 gas with blue StaBil.

Could it be the automatic choke is messed up?

 

[Donald]

Buying a super cheap mower might not be helping either. If it's got a Chinese engine replace the plug with a decent US plug like Champion.

 

[Rand]

throw a tarp over the mower.
Install a fuel filter
use fresh gas.
change sparkplug for something decent.

 

[Dadillac]

I have had several Briggs engined mowers in the past. After year one the same issue always came up that the thing wouldn't run unless I cleaned the carb. Finally got very tired of this and bought a Honda engine mower. Four years with very little maintenance and it starts up every time on one pull. Just bought a new Honda mower this morning. Nothing mechanically wrong with my old one that is 4 years old. Just hate the front drive wheels. So in summation I suggest you do as I did and get a mower that has a Honda GCV160 engine.

Don

 

[E150GT]

My dad has a $100 Murray lawnmower I bought at walmart over 10 years ago and it starts every time. Its kept in a garage. I have a 5 year old troy bilt with a honda engine and its never given me trouble. I keep mine in the garage too. I think thats the best thing. I will say that I always spray my mower off after every use with the hose pressure sprayer. Ive never encountered any issues with getting it wet so I am not sure what would be causing your problems. Its possible the carburetor just has tiny passages that dirt makes it into and it clogs. That was an issue with a mower we had years ago. I had to pull the bowl off twice during a mow and run a needle through the passages to clear it out. Thats why I ended up buying a walmart mower. I couldnt take it anymore.

 

[BrocLuno]

It's likely your gas can as you say the previous one did it too ...

 

[Dallas69]

Don't just leave it out in the rain.
Cover it with a tarp or cheap shower curtain and see if that helps.

 

[joemo]

Put an ounce of seafoam for each gallon of gas. My briggs & straton starts on first pull after sitting all winter.

 

[4WD]

So does mine 7 years later and never cleaned the carb. Back in the foam filter days had a few to clean out - but much better with good air filters and even oil filters on my big motors ...

 

[JTK]

Not trying to be snarky, but given how this machine is stored, you're lucky it runs at all. These engines are not designed to be left out in the elements 100% of the time. Like said, the issues are probably fuel quality related due to water or dirt contamination.

Your gasoline storage containers need to be sealed tight if you want it to last more than a month.

 

[4WD]

Good point - once fuel/moisture is sorted a $10 tarp will do wonders ...
Gas can is kept where and what additive is used to offset ethanol ?

 

[KL31]

What about a small outdoor DIY shed? They sell tons of them over here in Australia and they are literally so small, you can just fit a mower, shovel, and a few other garden tools. Come in various sizes like 1M x 2.4M. They are small enough to not require any council approval etc.

Even leaving a car out in the elements causes everything to wear out quicker on it. All things electric, fuel, oil operated love a nice little home to live in.

 

[Lubener]

Storing it outside isn't helping your situation.