Lawn & Garden Discussions

I have 20 hp briggs & staton riding mower. It was running great when i put it away two days ago. today i was going to mow and it started right up. and then died. i replaced the plug and the air filter and it won't run. It turns over fine but won't fire.

 
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mitchell36 Madison, OH posts: 2
posted on November 03, 2009 at 05:46PM Inappropriate? Quote Reply

new plug and air filter turns over good but won't fire

 

2009 President's Circle
posted on November 03, 2009 at 08:11PM
 

That leaves fuel, spark and compression. We'll assume the gas hasn't gone stale in 2 days. Check the plug for spark by holding it against the block with an insulated tool while someone turns the engine over. Or there's a nifty tool for about ten bucks that lights up when you hold it on the plug wire. While the plug is out, have someone turn it over to listen for a whooshing noise at the spark plug hole. If the piston isn't moving up and down forcing air out the plug hole, you got a compression problem.

posted on November 03, 2009 at 08:39PM
 
In response to madgolfer's post from November 03 2009 08:11PM

Thanks for the info

It started and ran for a few secondes then stopped. If it was a compression problem would it do that ?

posted on November 04, 2009 at 05:54AM
 

probably a fuel problem. lawnmowers are notorious for dirt in the carburetors, just by the fact of the environment they run in. Try some starting fluid, spray in the air filter,not much. If it fires up,and shuts down you have a fuel problem.  you can try adding some fuel injector cleaner to the gas tank ( at auto parts stores) but ussually requires the carberator to be taken apart and cleaned.

2009 Contributors Circle
posted on November 04, 2009 at 12:27PM
 

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2009 Friends Circle
posted on November 04, 2009 at 01:14PM
 

In b4 searscares.

2009 President's Circle
posted on November 04, 2009 at 04:20PM
 
In response to mitchell36's post from November 03 2009 08:39PM

Another thought, sometimes you can get the engine to catch by trying the throttle at different positions. Usually this works on a warm engine but it's worth a try.

2009 Chairman's Circle
posted on November 04, 2009 at 04:45PM
 

Speaking of which, is the original poster trying to start the tractor with the throttle on the turtle? It's always worth asking. :)

posted on November 05, 2009 at 09:57AM
 

How old is your battery the 2000 up have a electronic fuel valve if the battery is not giving it full 12 volts it will not start . Happened to mine 17 Hp L1000

2009 Advisor's Circle
posted on November 05, 2009 at 08:45PM
 

Most likely a fuel problem. Either a clog in the line (special attention to fuel filter) or a carburetor  issue. If the fuel line checks out clean then remove the carb and take to a small engine shop and ask them to do a sonic cleaning.

2009 Friends Circle
posted on November 05, 2009 at 08:55PM
 

If its turned over, try turning it over again so its right side up.

2009 Chairman's Circle
posted on November 11, 2009 at 01:40AM
 

OK.

The thing is obviously not turned over.

How would anyone get the "key in the ignition" if the thing were turned over?

I added a "fuel-dryer" to mine and that helped it turn over and not go "bang" while driving.

posted on November 11, 2009 at 10:24AM
 

I had the same problem with mine.  I had the Sears service man come out and lucky for me I wasn't charged.  All he did was give the fuel tank a quick push (its plastic) and out popped a little speck of crud.  After that - no problems.  Your tracktor will run fine if you take the gas cap off or do what he did.

2009 Chairman's Circle
posted on November 11, 2009 at 10:34AM
 

Yaa...

I managed to get some "flecks" in my tank, too.

I'm thinking paper towel on a stick to clean the tank.

posted on November 12, 2009 at 08:11AM
 

AdamO-

If you clean the tank that way, make sure the cloth is lint free and is durable enough not to leave pieces of it in the tank.  If you stir up a bunch of grime you might want to flush the tank.  Also, use a long enough cloth so that some of it is hanging on the stick outside of the tank - to keep it from being lost inside of the tank.

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