Anyone know anything about lawnmowers?

lunchboks · 04-24-2008, 04:48 PM

I have a Craftsman 5.5 HP One-Pull start mower that I'm haveing a problem with. About 3 weeks ago I had my mower serviced, blades sharpened, sparkplug, oil, and airfilter changed. I brought it home and it ran like a beast. Now today it starts just fine and runs perfect until I got about halfway finished with the backyard, now it won't even start up completely, it just sputters. Does anyone know what my problem may be and how I might be able to fix this? Thanks in advance.

LawnGuyLandSparky · 04-24-2008, 04:58 PM

smart money is on a bit of crud in the carb.

jcalvin · 04-24-2008, 05:23 PM

If it starts and runs until it gets hot then shuts off and won't start beck until it cools, it is probably the coil. As the parts guy at the local lawn equipment store, lowes and home depot don't count. This is exactly what was wrong with my chainsaw.

lunchboks · 04-24-2008, 05:37 PM

It's not running until it gets hot then shutting off. I thought it may have been samething, but I've let it sit to cool off and have tried to start it again. It's acting like it wants to start, then it just sputters out.

jcalvin · 04-24-2008, 05:51 PM

Try changing the spark plug. Don't clean it, change it.

kgphoto · 04-25-2008, 12:21 AM

Pull off the air filter and see if it works then. Might be clogged already.

KUIPORNG · 04-25-2008, 09:21 AM

could be as simple as gasoline pipe is clogged...

Brik · 04-25-2008, 11:26 AM

Lets see, what else. over full oil can cause plug to burn up. Check the oil and the plug. I had this exact thing go bad with my mower. Just posted a podcast about spring mower tuneups and discussed bad plug caused by over full oil.
http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/85/e...at-mower-going

Brik · 04-25-2008, 11:27 AM

Oh - And the other things gone bad that others mentioned could also be trouble.

Hobb3s · 04-28-2008, 12:44 PM

This may be too obvious, but it's a problem I had when I got a mower that was 'dead' (wouldn't start.. sputtering). If you have a lawnmower that you hold the lever down to keep the choke open and when you let go it stops the mower, it could be that mechanism. I just needed to tighten my choke line and clean up the mechanism so it would operate smoothly. The non starting mower went from 'dead' to great!

Also, maybe old gas? Gas shouldn't be sitting around for all winter with out a stabilizing agent. It can cause issues.