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Petrol mower problems

KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
in Problem solving
Had my mower in for service because it kept cutting out.  It has not been running very well for a couple of years despite regular servicing.  Post service it starts with virtually no effort on the pull cord.  When I collected it the guy said the carburettor was full of what he described as 'jelly'.  He said he'd seen many mowers with the same problem this year which he assumes is down to a change in fuel formulation.  He also said not to use fuel which as been stored for more than a few months at most because of this problem.  Don't store the mower with any fuel in the carburettor - turn the fuel off and run until it cuts out.
Maybe worth bearing in mind.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Thanks @KT53 I shall tell OH who has been having huge problems with hi big petrol powered strimmer and now spends hours tinkering with the mix and cleaning bits and bobs but has got it working.   He's bought a new petrol mower recently............
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    When I collected my new strimmer and chain saw, the guy in shop said " don't store fuel for more than 3 months. 
    Devon.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    If you do need to store fuel for longer there are additives which will help.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    It had never occurred to me that petrol 'goes off' after a time.  I wonder how many people will have trouble with their cars if they haven't been using them much in the past few months.  My wife's car hasn't done more than about 80 miles since lockdown, and still has a virtually full tank.  I think I'll take it out once a week just to use up the fuel!
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    is it all fuel, or just 2 stroke mix?
    Devon.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    My mower is 4 stroke.
  • ColinAColinA Posts: 392
    If stale fuel is left in a carb too long it will eventually turn to something like varnish and it is virtually impossible to clear the very fine jets and will end up fitting a new carburettor.
    At the season end run carb dry and drain tank of any remaining fuel in a can should be used in the car
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    ColinA said:
    If stale fuel is left in a carb too long it will eventually turn to something like varnish and it is virtually impossible to clear the very fine jets and will end up fitting a new carburettor.
    At the season end run carb dry and drain tank of any remaining fuel in a can should be used in the car

    What the guy at the mower repair place was describing really was jelly like, and he said it had virtually filled the carb, which is why it kept cutting out.  Irrespective of what the cause of the problem is, I will run the carb dry in future and not completely fill the tank towards the end of the season so I can hopefully run the tank dry too.
  • ColinAColinA Posts: 392
    Yes it starts as a jelly like substance and gradually hardens over time
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