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Lawn Mower Started Stalling

14 years ago

Hello,

i've never had a problem with any lawnmower before.

my father normally takes care of them.

i was out mowing tonight.

hit a large stick (grass was alittle long)

it instantly stalled.

i had trouble getting it back running.

i did, it was running, sluggish.

i turned the speed all the way to rabbit :) (we normally ahve it at 75%)

i don't know anything about motor's / engines.

my father is out of town for 3 weeks. so i'll need to finish my lawn, and do his in that length of time.

it's a (i think) mastercraft 4hp.

can't tell ya anything on the maitence.

i don't do it :)

i assume the filter is old.

gas is good.

spark plug donno about.

i'm thinking about just trying to "run it out" tomorrow.

see if it stays going.

finishing the lawn with a weed eater just doesn't seem fun.

thanks everyone.

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Comments (3)

baymee
14 years ago
It's possible that you partially sheared the flywheel key. You have to be somewhat mechanical to fix it and have special tools.

Does it kick back when you pull the start cord? That's one sign.

Sometimes they'll run, but not well.
quintar1
Original Author
14 years ago
After i hit the stick.
i checked the blade (looked good)
checked to see what i hit.
pulled the cord, normally to start it when it's been running, it's just a lazy pull and it's going.
nothing, didn't even try and start. so i pulled hard.
nothing. pulled really hard. nothing.
moved it to a flat location. pulled hard.
kinda got a little sputter.
primed it again, pulled 2 more times.
it started. but it just sounded like it was ready to stall out again.
so i crank the speed up to full.
still sounded alittle off.
i don't know how to explain it.
it just didn't sound right.
i pushed it over some grass.
it nearly immediately stalled again.
so i stopped, and put it away.
i did a quick google.
getting it out shouldn't be that bad.
but they didn't have much on "fixing it"
what would i have to do once it's out to see if it's fixable.
if it's not, any idea what the cost of one would be?
thanks
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jonnyquest
14 years ago
Use search terms: mower flywheel key replacement

There are even a couple of videos on it. You can decide if the procedure is within your skill/experience/tools.

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