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From: Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: rec tech mower
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:59:48 -0400
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On 4/11/2025 4:44 PM, Mark J cleary wrote:
> Ok this is a good crowd for the issue but not a bike. My walk behind 
> Troy Built self propelled mower won't start. It is a no choke you just 
> pull and it supposed to start. Well it has been maybe 5 months right in 
> the garage. The fluid is ok and the mower only has 2 season on it new 2 
> years ago. I keep pulling and smell gas but won't really catch or seem 
> to get close. I read the manual and seems probably a carb issue and got 
> to take apart and clean it. I don't want to I just want to get it 
> started and it should work for the season.
> 
> I tried dabbing some gas in carborator where I took off filter. No luck 
> do you think starting fluid sprayed direct will get it going. Give me 
> any real world tips the videos of this are just a pain the ass and I 
> want to quick start knowing once it gets going it will.

First, go back in time and drain the gas before you store the mower. 
Then run the engine until it stalls due to being completely out of gas.

Altenately, go back in time and add a recommended amount of gasoline 
stabilizer to the gasoline in the tank and run the engine just a bit so 
some of the new mix makes it into the carburetor. That's what I do, with 
very good results.

Since you can't really go back and correct your mistake: Just to be 
sure, pull the spark plug out, plug it back into its ignition lead, make 
sure the base is touching ground, and make sure you're getting a spark 
when you crank the engine. (You may need help to see that.) You probably 
will get a spark, and the problem probably is the carb, but in the rare 
case of a bad spark plug or other spark problem, that will prevent lots 
of wasted time. Also, while it's out, be sure the plug is clean, not fouled.

If the spark is good as is likely, then try spraying some starting fluid 
into the carb, or at least into the air cleaner. The mower will probably 
run for a few strokes then stall again. That would be a pretty sure sign 
the problem is a gummed carburetor, as we all suspect.

Depending on the machine, you may not have to tear the entire carb 
apart. I fixed a similar problem early last winter on a friend's snow 
blower. His carburetor allowed removing the main jet directly from the 
bottom of the float bowl, no other disassembly required.

But drain the gas tank first, or clamp the fuel line closed, unless your 
carburetor (like his) has a solenoid to shut off gasoline flow when not 
running.

With his, the jet was very obviously clogged. Carburetor cleaner would 
have helped for soaking the jet, but he had none, so I just worked away 
with various little tools, toothpicks, etc. to get the jet adequately 
clean.

If you can't access the jet without removing the carb, just remove it 
and dig in and clean it. Carb cleaner helps. I'd suggest taking some 
photos as you go so you remember how various hoses, linkages, cables 
etc. are supposed to attach.

Oh, and it occurs to me that Jeff should be the one answering your 
question! He's probably done this sort of thing more than any of us.



-- 
- Frank Krygowski