lawnmower sputters

[Cheeky]

i changed the spark plug, cleaned the air filter, and adjusted the carb...still sputters. it seems to be getting fuel.

it doesn't sputter when the choke is fully open, only when i close ~3/4 to 1/2 way....any ideas?

[Uncle Cracker]

Could be dirty carb, stuck or saturated float, or kinked fuel line. Sticky valves may be the culprit also. Is the gas fresh?

[LCHIEN]

how many seasons old is it? lawn mower repair guy told me most lawnmowers are good for about 6-8 seasons and then the rings are worn and the engine needs to be rebuilt - runs like crap, won't start or keeps stalling. most people buy a new mower at that point.

[Cheeky]

Could be dirty carb, stuck or saturated float, or kinked fuel line. Sticky valves may be the culprit also. Is the gas fresh?

The gas is fresh. how can you clean the carb? a fuel additive?

how many seasons old is it? lawn mower repair guy told me most lawnmowers are good for about 6-8 seasons and then the rings are worn and the engine needs to be rebuilt - runs like crap, won't start or keeps stalling. most people buy a new mower at that point.

it was purchased new, in 1997. it's a john deere walk-behind commercial.

[Uncle Cracker]

The gas is fresh. how can you clean the carb? a fuel additive?

Usually by disassembly (usually rebuild the whole thing at once, floats, filters, O-rings, jets gaskets, etc.). Your dealer probably has a kit with the essentials. I suppose you could try an additive, but I'm not sure how well it would work. Get one made for mowers, though.

[Stytooner]

Quit closing the choke.
It should be fully open when running.

[Uncle Cracker]

Quit closing the choke.
It should be fully open when running.

DUHHHHHHHHHHHH I didn't catch that...

[jhart]

You may want to try a product called Sea Foam in with the gas. An amazing product available at big box and automotive and hardware stores. Can also be put in with the oil if the oil is seperate. Stuff is fantastic for cleaning out gunk.

[billwmeyer]

Mower

Look in your gas tank and see if there is something else in it. I suspect that you might have water in your gas. Opening up the choke helps push it through. If you have a bowl type gas filter, empty the bowl, though I doubt if you have this one. If there is water in the tank, empty the tank and if possible swab out the tank with paper towels, disposing of them carefully. It may take a little bit of running with fresh gas, and opening and closing the choke to push through the last bit of water out of the carberator, to get it back on the straight and narrow.

Bill