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Prime Button on B&S self-propelled mower

15 years ago

I have a B&S mower that I purchased new in 2001. I used it about 6 or 7 times in 2001 and 6 or 7 times in 2002. It then went to my constant temperature (55ish degrees) basement. It was not used in 2003-2006. I brought it up last year (2007) and I primed and it started on second pull and worked great. I used it once last year. I left it in garage over winter (Vermont-very cold). This year I primed it and nothing. If I push prime button 5 or 6 times it starts for 2 or 3 seconds. If I do this like 10 times it will finally stay started but runs poorly and will stall easy if using. So, the mower has been used a total of about 20-25 hours since 2001. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance, Bob.

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Comments (9)

1saxman
15 years ago
You have left fuel in the mower for extended periods, and it has gone stale and produced gum and varnish. You can add 2 ounces of auto fuel injector cleaner to the gas tank, working it through with the primer button and trying to start it. This might work, but will take a few days. The carburetor will most likely need to be cleaned. Discard any old fuel you have. It can be added to your auto tank without any harm. Get new fuel and always use STA-BIL fuel stabilizer every time you fill the can. Then the fuel is automatically protected if the mower has to sit for a while.
rlchapin
Original Author
15 years ago
i drained all the gas and bought new gas and some fuel injector cleaner. I put a couple of ounces in with a full tank of new gas. I got it started after about 20 attempts of priming 6 times and starting, dies after 2 or 3 seconds. Eventually it stays running. I have it running in driveway now with vice grip on handle so I dont have to stand there with it.

Engine code is YBSXS.1901VC 274466
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bill_kapaun
15 years ago
Model will be 5-6 digits Something like 12H802
Type will be 6 digits "" 2328-B1
Code will be 8 digits "" YYMMDDff
rlchapin
Original Author
15 years ago
okay i got it this time:

12H802-3119-B1 01020956
bill_kapaun
15 years ago
Refer to this link. It's a simple fix-

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lmower/msg0510320517891.html?5
1saxman
15 years ago
'i drained all the gas and bought new gas and some fuel injector cleaner. I put a couple of ounces in with a full tank of new gas. I got it started after about 20 attempts of priming 6 times and starting, dies after 2 or 3 seconds. Eventually it stays running. I have it running in driveway now with vice grip on handle so I dont have to stand there with it.'

Good. It worked this time. Now don't forget the stabilizer or you'll be doing it again.
rlchapin
Original Author
15 years ago
Well...I tried to start it this morning without cleaning the main jet. No luck. So I unscrewed the main jet and looked at it and it looked very clean and unplugged. But, I used a bread tie and pushed it through and down in and I also took carb off and looked at it. It looked very clean. I used the bread tie and pushed it down the long horizontal very small opening on the carb (lower left corner if looking at carb mounted on engine). I was kind of skeptical, I put it all back together and primed it three times and it started and stayed running (smoothly) on the first pull. WOW! Thanks. Any idea why it looked very clean but still made a difference? There was a little resistance on cleaning that long horizontal minute opening. Might that have been it?
bill_kapaun
15 years ago
Varnish buildup may not be that visible, but still reduces the diameter of the passage.
If you BARELY don't have enough fuel to run, the result is the same as if the passage is totally clogged.
I would recommend a strong dose of carb cleaner in the tank for the next couple mowings to help clean out the passages that you can't see.
rlchapin
Original Author
15 years ago
okay, thanks for the help!!!

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