Toro Timemaster 30 lawnmower starting issue

[PNWJohn]

I found a great thread on this topic here that leads me to believe I have a failing ignition coil.

To order the part I need my model number.
From what B&S show online about where the model number it should be in one of three locations.
1 - On the front of the engine directly above the spark plug
2 - Stamped in the sheet metal directly above the muffler
3 - On the front of the engine between the OHV symbol and the air cleaner.

I am not seeing it. I wonder if I need to take something off to expose the number.

Unfortunately Briggs and Stratton do not have a support phone number of email.

Hopefully someone here can help.

Thanks

 

[mk378]

The coil does not go bad much unless mice chewed the wires. That will require a new coil. Part of spring maintenance is always to remove the top cover and evict the mice.

Also look on the side of the engine block behind the muffler, and of course stickers on the plastic cover on the end opposite the cylinder.

The serial number is 13 digits with the first six being the year month and day of manufacture. This number is the only one needed to completely describe the engine and find parts on the Briggs website. Once you have the part number of the part you can shop it to third parties.

 

[Brian123]

I found a great thread on this topic here that leads me to believe I have a failing ignition coil.

To order the part I need my model number.
From what B&S show online about where the model number it should be in one of three locations.
1 - On the front of the engine directly above the spark plug
2 - Stamped in the sheet metal directly above the muffler
3 - On the front of the engine between the OHV symbol and the air cleaner.

I am not seeing it. I wonder if I need to take something off to expose the number.

Unfortunately Briggs and Stratton do not have a support phone number of email.

Hopefully someone here can help.

Thanks

Have you taken the Spark Plug out and looked at it? Try changing the Spark Plug 1st!

 

[PNWJohn]

Here is what I have done:

I use high octane gas (Chevron 91) and use the Toro fuel treatment.
I do an annual service
Change oil
New blades
New spark plug
New fuel filter - first time I have replaced it.
New air cleaner

Battery and starter are strong.

On cold mornings I have found using a starter fluid spray is helpful. Once started it has restarted fine until just recently.

The key seems to be it runs fine for about 20 to 30 minutes and just dies. It takes a while to cool down to start again.

 

[fantastic]

I've had to use some sand paper to clearly see any numbers on the metal. Just know this will add rust if not recoated. After it's hot after a mow can you squirt some starter fluid in to see if it'll restart? How long did it run after doing this? They make basic park plug testers for a few bucks.

 

[TheOilWizard]

Here is what I have done:

I use high octane gas (Chevron 91) and use the Toro fuel treatment.
I do an annual service
Change oil
New blades
New spark plug
New fuel filter - first time I have replaced it.
New air cleaner

Battery and starter are strong.

On cold mornings I have found using a starter fluid spray is helpful. Once started it has restarted fine until just recently.

The key seems to be it runs fine for about 20 to 30 minutes and just dies. It takes a while to cool down to start again.

Does this Mower have auto choke? I had similar symptoms and it ended up being the linkage that connected the auto choke fell off, so the mower was basically running choked all the time and would eventually die on me after about 15 minutes. I replaced the missing linkage with a small piece of paper clip and it was fine afterwards.

 

[Brian123]

Here is what I have done:

I use high octane gas (Chevron 91) and use the Toro fuel treatment.
I do an annual service
Change oil
New blades
New spark plug
New fuel filter - first time I have replaced it.
New air cleaner

Battery and starter are strong.

On cold mornings I have found using a starter fluid spray is helpful. Once started it has restarted fine until just recently.

The key seems to be it runs fine for about 20 to 30 minutes and just dies. It takes a while to cool down to start again.

Fuel Cap, you need to take the Fuel Cap off, get far away from the mower before you do this. Blow the fuel cap off with compressed air, you have a so-called Venting Problem.

What will help you out in the future is 2 blow the machine off after each use. Never put the machine away with grass and debris around the Mower.

 

[Lubener]

Here is what I have done:

I use high octane gas (Chevron 91) and use the Toro fuel treatment.
I do an annual service
Change oil
New blades
New spark plug
New fuel filter - first time I have replaced it.
New air cleaner

Battery and starter are strong.

On cold mornings I have found using a starter fluid spray is helpful. Once started it has restarted fine until just recently.

The key seems to be it runs fine for about 20 to 30 minutes and just dies. It takes a while to cool down to start again.

Your last sentence is a classic symptom of a failed coil. You can go one step farther and verify the absence of spark when your engine dies and fails to start. Use another spark plug, not the hot one.

 

[PNWJohn]

I've had to use some sand paper to clearly see any numbers on the metal. Just know this will add rust if not recoated. After it's hot after a mow can you squirt some starter fluid in to see if it'll restart? How long did it run after doing this? They make basic park plug testers for a few bucks.

It runs about 30 minutes and then just dies. It needs 20 minutes or so to cool down to restart. Right after it dies, starter fluid does not help.

 

[Fattylocks]

E13 sparkplug? If so start over with an NGK.

 

[PNWJohn]

The coil does not go bad much unless mice chewed the wires. That will require a new coil. Part of spring maintenance is always to remove the top cover and evict the mice.

Also look on the side of the engine block behind the muffler, and of course stickers on the plastic cover on the end opposite the cylinder.

The serial number is 13 digits with the first six being the year month and day of manufacture. This number is the only one needed to completely describe the engine and find parts on the Briggs website. Once you have the part number of the part you can shop it to third parties.

This part is to the left of the muffler. Only number I can see.

 

[97prizm]

Here is what I have done:

I use high octane gas (Chevron 91) and use the Toro fuel treatment.
I do an annual service
Change oil
New blades
New spark plug
New fuel filter - first time I have replaced it.
New air cleaner

Battery and starter are strong.

On cold mornings I have found using a starter fluid spray is helpful. Once started it has restarted fine until just recently.

The key seems to be it runs fine for about 20 to 30 minutes and just dies. It takes a while to cool down to start again.

This sounds like a coil going bad. I've read that if a coil starts going bad it will get hot and have high resistance. I'm having Similar issues with my Yard machines push mower. Had the carburetor completely cleaned out, and new fuel lines.

 

[Brian123]

It runs about 30 minutes and then just dies. It needs 20 minutes or so to cool down to restart. Right after it dies, starter fluid does not help.

You do not have a Coil Problem, if you did have a Coil Problem, this mower would not start. You either have a Fuel Issue with the Vent Cap or maybe this Mower is getting 2 hot because it is not cooling properly, you have an air-cooled mower, there should be no debris in the Cooling Fins.

 

[Rand]

You do not have a Coil Problem, if you did have a Coil Problem, this mower would not start. You either have a Fuel Issue with the Vent Cap or maybe this Mower is getting 2 hot because it is not cooling properly, you have an air-cooled mower, there should be no debris in the Cooling Fins.

you ignored the fact that it wont restart with starting fluid when it dies.

I had a bad coil on a deere 212 that acted similar to the OP's issue.

Would work great, but after 15-20min or so start dying, then dead until cold

 

[ripcord]

Get a good spark tester. The kind with adjustable gap. Test it with the engine cold and figure out the maximum gap the coil will jump. Then, when it dies and won't restart, use the spark tester again. If you have no spark try narrowing the gap until you see a spark or not. If the coil is getting weak due to heat, you might see a spark with a narrower gap

 

[Lubener]

You do not have a Coil Problem, if you did have a Coil Problem, this mower would not start. You either have a Fuel Issue with the Vent Cap or maybe this Mower is getting 2 hot because it is not cooling properly, you have an air-cooled mower, there should be no debris in the Cooling Fins.

Disagree. I had several coils breakdown when hot and started working after cool down. He also tried starting fluid without success which goes against your fuel delivery theory.

 

[PNWJohn]

Tuesday update.
I found the Briggs model number. They don't make it easy. Found it stamped in the block tucked back to the left of the starter.

New OEM ignition coil on the way from Jacks Small Engines. This is a simple job. Hopefully it will solve the problem. I will update when I have my first test session on the track.

 

[Lubener]

You will need a feeler gauge to set the air gap between the coil and flywheel.

 

[Sumboodie]

It runs about 30 minutes and then just dies. It needs 20 minutes or so to cool down to restart. Right after it dies, starter fluid does not help.

Starter fluid?

 

[The_Eric]

Starter fluid?

Yes, you know, its a specialty lubricant for starters. It goes in a small reservoir below the drive gear

He probably means starting fluid otherwise known as ether.