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Riding lawn mower problem

15 years ago

I have a craftsman rider that I bought from someone. It worked good when I got it, but now I'm running into some prolems. The mower starts but idles really high. Moved the throttle and that does nothing, still idles really high. Also gets hot. When you go to turn on the blades, it dies. I've tried to figure out what the problem is but the problem still persists. Mower will also back fire from time to time since this problem occurred. Any suggestions on what it may be?

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Comment (1)

rustyj14
15 years ago
First: Check where the throttle cable is clamped to the engine. If that clamp is loose, the throttle housing will move instead of just the wire inside.
Remove the engine cover, and check for grass, dirt, mouse nest, and various other things in there that will block the flow of cooling air for the engine!
Check gas cap for a bug nest in the breather hole. Check the air filter for being really dirty. Install new spark plug. And, carb may be dirty inside, A good soak in cleaner and a blow-out of all passages would probably help.
check your gas can for water condensation inside of them. It does happen! A bit of Dry-gas in the tank does wonders. There is a funnel available that takes any water out of the gas when you pour it into yer tank. Can't remember the name-somebody here will know it.
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I'm guessing a carb problem. By cranking, you mean it never actually starts? It may be flooding. It wouldn't start flooded and spiting the extra gas out when you quit cranking it, could also be an indication of flooding. Now, I always hated the forum police, that tell you your posting in the wrong forum, but, if you added some details and posted this question in the "Lawn tractor and riding mower" section, more guys that work on riders would see it. Someone may have had the same problem you are and know how to fix it. Good Luck
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Thanks for the response. It's definitely a Briggs engine. Or let me put it this way, there's a big 'ol Briggs and Stratton stamp on it. The model # is 31G77. I believe that's right. Good point. Getting a voltage reading is not a true indicator of whether or not the battery is good. It wasn't smoking, only when it conked out. It was laboring, laboring, laboring, then it conked out and threw out a puff of smoke. The reason why I'm GUESSING the engine is a little sieged is because when I turn the key, it appears I have good power going toward the cranking process (you can hear and feel that jolt of energy), yet the engine "stops" it. It's almost as though there's a heavy break on the engine. When I try and spin the engine from the top by hand, it won't budge. Then again, I have no idea if you normally can spin it by hand because I've never tried to do that! Sorry for being such a newbie. From the little research that I've seen taking the spark plug out and putting penetrating oil down it, waiting an hour then trying to manually move the pistons by hand as a *possible* solution. Again, this is assuming I'm right and the engine's seized.
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I returned the machine to the owner yesterday. Last evening, he called me and told me i had fixed it correctly, and he was really impressed by my work! As long as the owner is satisfied, I'm happy, too. Might get a good reference from him. Lots of sick machines out there, ya know?!
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I am not sure how you tested the items mentioned. The multi meter is a great tool to help troubleshoot. One thought is a bad ground. In this event, the anti after fire solenoid will lose electrical power and shut off the engine. During the starting attempt, the starter will not receive full power. Check the battery ground cable connection to the frame. Also check the engine mount bolts. The previous suggestion applies. This is related to a failed engine that is locked up.
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