Lawn Boy leaking fuel problem

15 years ago

Hello,

I have a 2 cycle Lawn Boy Dura Force Mower, Model 10323

It had started shooting or spraying fuel out of the muffler. I got it started, and the engine started reviving up and down.

Then I noticed gas was leaking out near the muffler. When the mower would sit, all the fuel would leak out.

Then I turned the mower over on its side, and fuel started pouring out of the muffler/exhaust. Almost like the muffler had filled up with fuel.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help,

John

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Comments (5)

walt2002
15 years ago
Replace the carb float needle, clean the fuel lines, ADD a fuel line shut off valve and USE it when the mower is not running plus add a fuel line filter.

Walt Conner
surburban99
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Walt,

Thanks for the help. On the Lawn Boy parts lookup, is the carb float needle you recommended the same part as the
Valve/Seat Float, Lawn Boy part number 92-9697?

Thanks,

John
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Assuming the needle and seat are sealing and the float level is correct this is not unusual with a F engine.It happens from the combination of too much reed clearance and sustained high rpm. Reeds tend to get bent slightly open with long use allowing a tiny amount of reverse flow before closing on the piston down stroke. Now there is a fuel fog which is present in the carburetor of all reed engines, even when new and this tiny amount of reverse flow pushes this fog closer to the air cleaner end. The degree of this fog depends on the condition of the reed and how quick it closes. High rpm aggravates the condition creating a fog that will reach the air filter and soak it. Check the maximum rpm and adjust if necessary, but you probably will need to replace the reed. I think Lawn Boy made a plastic part that was made to fit in the carb to help control the fog, but I don't know the part number or if it will fit your carb. Also check the exhaust ports if you haven't done it in a while.
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I'll stand by my previous post. Having worked with 2 strokes for quite some time now and small engines in general, two stroke small engines make their power at full throttle or close to it. Its detrimental to a small 2 stroke engine to run it at half throttle for extended periods of time, and burns off more carbon, makes more power, and is most efficient at wot or close to it. Think of it this way, You can lug a 4 stroke more because it has a wider power band starting at a lower rpm range up to full throttle. 2 strokes dont lug well at all, and make their torque at high rpm, aka full throttle. More torque, more cutting power. Lawnboys are governed as to not run as fast as string trimmers or chainsaws but still achieve optimum cutting efficiency when running at peak. I'm basing my post on experience in working with and rebuilding/tuning 2 stroke jetskis, lawn mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, etc. All engines have sweet spots, 2 strokes are made to rev and run at higher rpms constantly due to their much smaller power band.
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Same thing. I was wondering about that because the Duraforce above-deck muffler doesn't leak excess fuel like the old below-deck mufflers. There probably will be a lot of fuel in the engine so don't use the choke or primer to start. The muffler probably will spit black oil at first too.
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I tilted up my LB 10550 the other day to put the mulch fan back on it, and darned if the float didn't stick on it. I got a gusher out of the carb. Sometimes if it's just a stuck float you can raise the front end and let it drop once or twice to see if the float straightens out. When it stops leaking, you'll have to take the filter out, clean it and re-oil it. You may have to take the spark plug out, ground the wire and pull it through a number of times to clear the cylinder. The lazy man's method is to simply sit the mower in the sun all day and start it that evening. If the needle and seat stays contaminated it will continue to leak until you pull the carb and fix it, except for when the fuel valve is closed, but quite often just making the float reset cures it.
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walt2002
15 years ago
Yes.

Walt Conner
msa62001
15 years ago
I know this is a somewhat dated problem but it's the one I have. And I'm wondering if anyone can give an engine novice a bit of direction on how to do these things. I took my LB into a local repair shop, and they wanted more per hour than they charge to fix my car. Any step by step here? Drawings on line? Thanks.
atschirner
15 years ago
Some of the best drawing are on the Lawn-Boy web site. Try eBay if you are looking for a repair manual. Replacing the needle isn't a big job and you may be able to complete it without removing the carb. Rembember you are working with gasoline so have plenty of ventilation and stay away from ignition sources. This is not a project for the basement near the water heater.

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Lawn Boy leaking fuel problem

Comments (5)

walt2002

surburban99
Original Author

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Lawn Boy leaking fuel problem

Comments (5)

walt2002

surburban99Original Author

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surburban99
Original Author