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| Author |
Lawnmower gets hot and quits
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| Sherman 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
| My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15 minutes
and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will not
restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
minutes.
Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
replaced the spark plug. No change.
What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
Sherman
| |
| ds549@webtv.net 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
| you didnt say if it is push or rider and engine you have,that would
narrow things down
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|
|
"Sherman" <hosting@stormyranch.com> wrote in message
news:g3afd1tja8no8ml9pm1lbbjppua7o4ssg7@4ax.com...
quote:
> My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15
minutes
quote:
> and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will
not
quote:
> restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
> minutes.
>
> Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
> replaced the spark plug. No change.
>
> What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
>
> Sherman
>
Lots of things...
But check for spark next time it happens-if not, you need a new
magneto coil. That's about $40
If it has a primer bulb, see if it's collapsed-could have a plugged
pickup tube screen in the gas tank. You drop the tank to clean that
| |
| Stormin Mormon 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
| Sounds like a valve clearance problem to me. Either that, or the fuel line
is too close to the engine. But more likely valve clearance.
I took a small engine repair course years ago. To fix this, you have to take
off the motor cover, the cylinder head, and then remove both valves. Grind a
little off the bottom, ch eck the clearance, and put it back together.
Requires some specialized tools, and some replacment gaskets.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com
"Sherman" <hosting@stormyranch.com> wrote in message
news:g3afd1tja8no8ml9pm1lbbjppua7o4ssg7@4ax.com...
My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15 minutes
and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will not
restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
minutes.
Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
replaced the spark plug. No change.
What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
Sherman
| |
|
|
"Rick" <notta@goodone.com> wrote in message
news:CgOBe.10931$aY6.5589@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...
quote:
>
> "Sherman" <hosting@stormyranch.com> wrote in message
> news:g3afd1tja8no8ml9pm1lbbjppua7o4ssg7@4ax.com...
> minutes
> not
>
> Lots of things...
>
> But check for spark next time it happens-if not, you need a new
> magneto coil. That's about $40
>
> If it has a primer bulb, see if it's collapsed-could have a plugged
> pickup tube screen in the gas tank. You drop the tank to clean that
Oh yeah-check the vent on the gas cap, too. Do the simple things
first...
quote:
>
>
| |
| Edwin Pawlowski 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
|
"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-#spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote in message
quote:
>
> I took a small engine repair course years ago. To fix this, you have to
> take
> off the motor cover, the cylinder head, and then remove both valves. Grind
> a
> little off the bottom, ch eck the clearance, and put it back together.
> Requires some specialized tools, and some replacment gaskets.
What makes for less clearance after 4 years of running? I'd have thought
the opposite would happen. Or is it worn on the stem and not contacting
properly so relieving the valve seat brings it back?
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"Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message
news:ImOBe.16872$rx4.2709@trndny05...
quote:
>
> "Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61-#spamblock*-@hotmail.com> wrote in
message
quote:
have to[vbcol=seagreen]
valves. Grind[vbcol=seagreen]
together.[vbcol=seagreen]
>
> What makes for less clearance after 4 years of running? I'd have
thought
quote:
> the opposite would happen. Or is it worn on the stem and not
contacting
quote:
> properly so relieving the valve seat brings it back?
No, the valve seat sinks into the block. There's supposed to be a
little clearance between the lifter and the tip of the stem, so you
grind the end off.
That's for the more common valves in block type., not on an OHV..
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"Rick" <notta@goodone.com> wrote in message
news:nrOBe.10934$aY6.9740@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...
quote:
>
> "Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message
> news:ImOBe.16872$rx4.2709@trndny05...
> message
> have to
> valves. Grind
> together.
> thought
> contacting
>
>
> No, the valve seat sinks into the block. There's supposed to be a
> little clearance between the lifter and the tip of the stem, so you
> grind the end off.
quote:
> That's for the more common valves in block type., not on an OHV..
Or the seat and the valve face wear. In that case, seat and valve
regrind or replacement....
| |
| Duane Bozarth 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
| Stormin Mormon wrote:
quote:
>
> Sounds like a valve clearance problem to me. Either that, or the fuel line
> is too close to the engine. But more likely valve clearance.
.....
That sure wouldn't be the first place I'd look....more likely electrical
as someone else noted w/ thermal expansion...besides the magneto, it
could also be the plug ceramic...(look, look)...oh, I see he did change
the plug so it's upstream of there...
| |
| BocesLib@gmail.com 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
| Right after it sputters and dies, will it start again??
If not a shot of either, if it turns over and runs for a
moment then its not the spark.
What you have sound a lot like its starving for fuel.
Before ripping apart the motor (like other suggested)
I'd recommend just cleaning out the gas tank (there
should be a strainer filter in there) check and possibly
replace the fuel line (you can get more fuel line at your
local auto store) Some carbs have a bowl on the bottom
of them, you can take that off and clean it out.
Take a look at your air filter, make sure its happy too!
| |
| Lawrence Wasserman 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
| In article <g3afd1tja8no8ml9pm1lbbjppua7o4ssg7@4ax.com>,
Sherman <hosting@stormyranch.com> wrote:
quote:
> My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15 minutes
>and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will not
>restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
>minutes.
>
> Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
>replaced the spark plug. No change.
>
> What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
>
> Sherman
>
Have you tried cleaning or replacing the air filter?
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
lwasserm@charm.net
| |
| Sherman 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
| On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:16:33 GMT, Sherman <hosting@stormyranch.com>
wrote:
quote:
> My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15 minutes
>and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will not
>restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
>minutes.
>
> Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
>replaced the spark plug. No change.
>
> What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
>
> Sherman
This is a push mower Craftsman about a 4 hp.
I removed the gas filter bowl and it was clean. No change after
cleaning and reinstalling. Started right up and ran for 10 minutes..
After it dies hot, it will not start or even try to start. The pull
compression feels about the same hot or cold. But I can't measure the
vacuum (or can I?)
Has to cool down and at some point it cools enough to start on first
pull and runs good for 10 minutes.
I will check for spark next time it is dead.
Sherman
| |
| Edwin Pawlowski 2005-07-15, 12:25 pm |
|
"Sherman" <hosting@stormyranch.com> wrote in message
news:3ggfd15po3tr3klug539ik98gds3baijdm@4ax.com...
quote:
>
> I removed the gas filter bowl and it was clean. No change after
> cleaning and reinstalling. Started right up and ran for 10 minutes..
>
> After it dies hot, it will not start or even try to start. The pull
> compression feels about the same hot or cold. But I can't measure the
> vacuum (or can I?)
>
> Has to cool down and at some point it cools enough to start on first
> pull and runs good for 10 minutes.
I fail to see the problem. With a strategically placed cooler of beer, you
are being forced by nature to take appropriate breaks. This is for yourgood
health.
| |
|
|
"Sherman" <hosting@stormyranch.com> wrote in message
news:g3afd1tja8no8ml9pm1lbbjppua7o4ssg7@4ax.com...
quote:
> My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15 minutes
> and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will not
> restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
> minutes.
>
> Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
> replaced the spark plug. No change.
>
> What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
>
> Sherman
Diving down from center field...
Does the engine have an oil sensor?
What is the oil level and when was it changed last?
| |
| Sherman 2005-07-15, 6:25 pm |
| On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 14:16:11 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net>
wrote:
quote:
>
>"Sherman" <hosting@stormyranch.com> wrote in message
>news:3ggfd15po3tr3klug539ik98gds3baijdm@4ax.com...
>
>
>I fail to see the problem. With a strategically placed cooler of beer, you
>are being forced by nature to take appropriate breaks. This is for yourgood
>health.
>
Actually, I lied. My spouse does the mowing and she is getting
angry at me because the mower is dying. Don't get me wrong, I will
mow when it needs it, but in 30 years, she has never let it get long
enough to need it.
I need to get this thing diagnosed and fixed pronto.
I'm thinking I could use one of those piercing shroeder valves on the
intake manifold to measure for vacuum while I yank the rope. Wonder
if it would work. Or I could test compression thinking maybe the
compression would be different if the suction was off due to valve not
seating..
Sherman
| |
| G Henslee 2005-07-15, 6:25 pm |
| Sherman wrote:
quote:
>
>
> Actually, I lied. My spouse does the mowing and she is getting
> angry at me because the mower is dying.
> Sherman
>
>
Your wife mows? Get her this:
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/brillux38ree.html
| |
| Sherman 2005-07-15, 6:25 pm |
| On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 15:05:59 GMT, Sherman <hosting@stormyranch.com>
wrote:
quote:
>On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 14:16:11 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net>
>wrote:
>
>
> Actually, I lied. My spouse does the mowing and she is getting
>angry at me because the mower is dying. Don't get me wrong, I will
>mow when it needs it, but in 30 years, she has never let it get long
>enough to need it.
>
> I need to get this thing diagnosed and fixed pronto.
>
> I'm thinking I could use one of those piercing shroeder valves on the
>intake manifold to measure for vacuum while I yank the rope. Wonder
>if it would work. Or I could test compression thinking maybe the
>compression would be different if the suction was off due to valve not
>seating..
>
> Sherman
>
Ok, I'm also thinking I could pull the valve cover and observe the
valves when hot or cold. What am I looking for? As the crank lets
the valve close, it should become loose and I should be able to grab
the stem and lift and let go and hear the valve seating - right? It
would probably be a different sound if it was not seating.....
| |
| Duane Bozarth 2005-07-15, 6:25 pm |
| Sherman wrote:
quote:
>
> On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 15:05:59 GMT, Sherman <hosting@stormyranch.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> Ok, I'm also thinking I could pull the valve cover and observe the
> valves when hot or cold. What am I looking for? As the crank lets
> the valve close, it should become loose and I should be able to grab
> the stem and lift and let go and hear the valve seating - right? It
> would probably be a different sound if it was not seating.....
>
>
If they're not seating, you won't have compression when you crank...
Did you find out if you have spark when it's hot or not yet? I'm still
thinking electrical is more likely the culprit...
| |
|
| add more coolant to the radiator.
On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:16:33 GMT, Sherman <hosting@stormyranch.com>
wrote:
quote:
> My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15 minutes
>and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will not
>restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
>minutes.
>
> Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
>replaced the spark plug. No change.
>
> What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
>
> Sherman
| |
| JWitherspoon 2005-07-15, 6:25 pm |
|
"ysoa" <dkd@fol.org> wrote in message
news:tapfd1dc38r3jq52l4bjdtg2ao9n4m503l@4ax.com...[vbcol=seagreen]
> add more coolant to the radiator.
>
> On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:16:33 GMT, Sherman <hosting@stormyranch.com>
> wrote:
>
I like Rick's gas cap vent possibility. Maybe it's not getting too hot, but
building up a vacuum in the gas tank. It shuts down and then takes a few
minutes to slowly equalize the pressure before it'll start again. What the
hell, take the gas cap off and see what happens.
| |
| Doug Miller 2005-07-15, 6:25 pm |
| In article <7ekfd11esr7l7dcb32eos705upi876j9g0@4ax.com>, Sherman <hosting@stormyranch.com> wrote:
quote:
>
>Ok, I'm also thinking I could pull the valve cover and observe the
>valves when hot or cold. What am I looking for? As the crank lets
>the valve close, it should become loose and I should be able to grab
>the stem and lift and let go and hear the valve seating - right? It
>would probably be a different sound if it was not seating.....
Forget the damn valves, that's not the problem. You've been given sound advice
by several people: check to see if you have spark when it's hot and not
working. I'm betting you don't, because the magneto has failed.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
| |
| Robert Barr 2005-07-16, 4:25 am |
| Sherman wrote:
quote:
> My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15 minutes
> and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will not
> restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
> minutes.
>
> Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
> replaced the spark plug. No change.
>
> What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
>
> Sherman
>
Many, many air-cooled engines develop this problem. The odds are
overwhelming it's your ignition module, and they're a bastard to
troubleshoot [except, of course, by replacing the module].
As soon as the engine starts to cool -- long enough to check for spark
-- the module cools down enough to check as OK. It's very possible
you'll check the spark and it'll be OK.
They're easy to change, but shop carefully. The price for replacement
can vary radically.
| |
| Gary Dyrkacz 2005-07-16, 4:25 am |
| On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:16:33 GMT, Sherman <hosting@stormyranch.com>
wrote:
quote:
> My 4 year old lawnmower gets hot and dies. I can mow for 15 minutes
>and it coughs and sputters and then shuts down completely and will not
>restart - for 15 minutes. Then it will start and runs another 10
>minutes.
>
> Seems to be a heat related issue. I cleaned out the debris and
>replaced the spark plug. No change.
>
> What could be wrong and how do I determine it?
>
> Sherman
This is an outside possibility, but I had a lawnmower with a leaking
head gasket. Problem was it would leak only when the engine was hot.
The problem was getting worse and worse and I could not figure out
what was wrong. The gasket finall degraded to the point that that
when I happened to brush my hand ove the head, I could feel the hot
gases leaking from the head gasket.
Gary Dyrkacz
REMOVETHISBEFORESENDINGdyrgcmn@comcast.net
Radio Control Aircraft/Paintball Physics/Paintball for 40+
http://home.comcast.net/~dyrgcmn/
| |
| Stormin Mormon 2005-07-16, 4:25 am |
| I may well be misaken. But I've seen valve clearance problems several times
before. Though, coil problem is a bit easier to fix. How about find another
coil to try for awhile?
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com
"Duane Bozarth" <dpbozarth@swko.dot.net> wrote in message
news:42D7B467.6ED03D92@swko.dot.net...
Stormin Mormon wrote:
quote:
>
> Sounds like a valve clearance problem to me. Either that, or the fuel line
> is too close to the engine. But more likely valve clearance.
.....
That sure wouldn't be the first place I'd look....more likely electrical
as someone else noted w/ thermal expansion...besides the magneto, it
could also be the plug ceramic...(look, look)...oh, I see he did change
the plug so it's upstream of there...
| |
| Duane Bozarth 2005-07-16, 12:25 pm |
| Stormin Mormon wrote:
quote:
>
> I may well be misaken. But I've seen valve clearance problems several times
> before. Though, coil problem is a bit easier to fix. How about find another
> coil to try for awhile?
How about checking for spark when hot first, as has already been
suggested (several times)????
| |
| Sherman 2005-07-24, 9:07 pm |
| On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:53:07 GMT, "Rick" <notta@goodone.com> wrote:
>
>"Rick" <notta@goodone.com> wrote in message
>news:CgOBe.10931$aY6.5589@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
>Oh yeah-check the vent on the gas cap, too. Do the simple things
>first...
Rick says "Check the vent on the gas cap, too".
Well, Bingo! Rick wins.
After checking for spark after it died, and getting a positive
response from my wife on spark, I replaced the spark plug cap and
reached up untwisted the gas cap off a 1/4 turn and it started on the
first pull.
Now, I looked and I don't see any hole in the gas cap for it to vent.
I hate that she has to mow with the gas cap not tight. She might
catch the mower on fire. I'd hate to lose that old mower.
Do I just drill a small hole in the cap?
Sherman.
| |
| Duane Bozarth 2005-07-24, 9:07 pm |
| Sherman wrote:
>
....
> Rick says "Check the vent on the gas cap, too".
>
> Well, Bingo! Rick wins.
>
> After checking for spark after it died, and getting a positive
> response from my wife on spark, I replaced the spark plug cap and
> reached up untwisted the gas cap off a 1/4 turn and it started on the
> first pull.
>
> Now, I looked and I don't see any hole in the gas cap for it to vent.
> I hate that she has to mow with the gas cap not tight. She might
> catch the mower on fire. I'd hate to lose that old mower.
>
> Do I just drill a small hole in the cap?
It's a four-year old mower and <now> a non-vented gas tank is the
problem? Don't think so... 
Mayhaps the vent is plugged, but I'm still not convinced...there's got
to be an existing vent if that is the problem or it wouldn't ever have
run reliably...
| |
|
| On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 14:36:14 -0500, Duane Bozarth
<dpbozarth@swko.dot.net> wrote:
>Sherman wrote:
>...
>
>It's a four-year old mower and <now> a non-vented gas tank is the
>problem? Don't think so...
>
>Mayhaps the vent is plugged, but I'm still not convinced...there's got
>to be an existing vent if that is the problem or it wouldn't ever have
>run reliably...
The cap is hard rubber with a rubber washer that has 2 small holes
in it. Behind the 2 holes is another flat thin rubber washer that has
deterioated and the deteriorated rubber is actually protruding
partially thru the tiny holes. I suspect it completely stopped up
the vent holes.
I tried removing the deteriorated rubber, but can't really get to it.
If she comes in bitching about the mower dying again, I'll add a new
vent hole thru the cap.
| |
| Edwin Pawlowski 2005-07-24, 9:07 pm |
|
"JimL" <jim03@dotjim.net> wrote in message
> If she comes in bitching about the mower dying again, I'll add a new
> vent hole thru the cap.
Seems like a lot of work for one guy. She's cutting the grass so it is her
responsibility to take care of the dammed thing. Tell her to drill the
hole.
Be sure to report back with the results when you do!
| |
| Doug Miller 2005-07-24, 9:07 pm |
| In article <F4BDe.801$QI6.584@newssvr31.news.prodigy.com>, "Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote:
>
>"JimL" <jim03@dotjim.net> wrote in message
>
>Seems like a lot of work for one guy. She's cutting the grass so it is her
>responsibility to take care of the dammed thing. Tell her to drill the
>hole.
>
>Be sure to report back with the results when you do!
Ed, he won't be able to sit down to type with that drill up there...
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)
Get a copy of my NEW AND IMPROVED TrollFilter for NewsProxy/Nfilter
by sending email to autoresponder at filterinfo-at-milmac-dot-com
You must use your REAL email address to get a response.
| |
| Sherman 2005-07-24, 9:08 pm |
| On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 14:36:14 -0500, Duane Bozarth
<dpbozarth@swko.dot.net> wrote:
>Sherman wrote:
>...
>
>It's a four-year old mower and <now> a non-vented gas tank is the
>problem? Don't think so...
>
>Mayhaps the vent is plugged, but I'm still not convinced...there's got
>to be an existing vent if that is the problem or it wouldn't ever have
>run reliably...
You are right. The vent is plugged.
The cap is hard rubber with a rubber washer that has 2 small holes
in it. Behind the 2 holes is another flat thin rubber washer that has
deterioated and the deteriorated rubber is actually protruding
partially thru the tiny holes. I suspect it completely stopped up
the vent holes.
I tried removing the deteriorated rubber, but can't really get to it.
If she comes in bitching about the mower dying again, I'll add a new
vent hole thru the cap.
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