Posted by Theo Markettos on November 4, 2006, 12:24 pm
I know this is rather the wrong time of year for this, but...
About two months ago I bought a secondhand rotary petrol lawnmower since I
was fed up with the landlord-supplied Flymo with 2" plastic blades. It
seems to be a cheap generic engine-on-a-shell type - I don't see a brand
name. It came with a petrol can, but I forgot to ask about oil.
It worked when I saw it, and when I used it to mow the front lawn, and then
it kept stopping. Noticed there wasn't much petrol in it, so filled it up
with what I assume is unleaded from the can (the seller said he'd give me
the can as he couldn't be bothered to put it in his car). Now it's still
refusing to start. With a few priming pumps I can get it to run for about
1-3 seconds before it dies.
I probably need some oil in there... what oil and what ratio? I'm guessing
it's two stroke since it's pretty basic - but how do I check? Will I have
damaged anything by running it without oil? Now it's refusing to start - so
any tips on getting the oil into the system? Anything else that might go
wrong to a recently-working machine, or that I might be doing silly with it?
I suppose I could strip it down at some point, but that sounds a bit too
energetic for the moment. Meanwhile up until the last week or two the grass
has kept growing :(
Thanks
Theo
Posted by Dave Liquorice on November 4, 2006, 4:59 pm
On 04 Nov 2006 17:24:10 +0000 (GMT), Theo Markettos wrote:
> Noticed there wasn't much petrol in it, so filled it up with what I
> assume is unleaded from the can
Do you know how old that fuel is? Unleaded goes "off" if stored for afew
months in a non-vapour proof container. Many cheap plastic petrol "cans"
aren't particulary vapour proof.
> With a few priming pumps I can get it to run for about 1-3 seconds
> before it dies.
Could be blocked jet(s), filter or passageways within the carb.
> I probably need some oil in there... what oil and what ratio? I'm
> guessing it's two stroke since it's pretty basic - but how do I check?
Is there a oil filler/dipstick anywhere. My guess for a lawnmower engine
to be a four stroke unless it's *very* old.
> Will I have damaged anything by running it without oil?
Look for that dipstick and see if you have run it without oil...
> Anything else that might go wrong to a recently-working machine, or
> that I might be doing silly with it?
Has it a manual choke?
Firstly I'd check the oil level (but that is probably OK) then take the
plug out and check it's appearance, condition and gap. Next have a look
at the carb and fuel filter and swap the old fuel for fresh.
--
Cheers new5pam@howhill.com
Dave. pam is missing e-mail
Posted by Theo Markettos on November 7, 2006, 6:22 am
> Do you know how old that fuel is? Unleaded goes "off" if stored for afew
> months in a non-vapour proof container. Many cheap plastic petrol "cans"
> aren't particulary vapour proof.
No I don't. It's probably worth replacing it anyway. Would it be safe to
put the excess in the car? (Otherwise I can't think how I'd dispose of it)
>> With a few priming pumps I can get it to run for about 1-3 seconds
>> before it dies.
>
> Could be blocked jet(s), filter or passageways within the carb.
>
>> I probably need some oil in there... what oil and what ratio? I'm
>> guessing it's two stroke since it's pretty basic - but how do I check?
>
> Is there a oil filler/dipstick anywhere. My guess for a lawnmower engine
> to be a four stroke unless it's *very* old.
>
>> Will I have damaged anything by running it without oil?
>
> Look for that dipstick and see if you have run it without oil...
OK, will do. I didn't see any oil filler or dipstick on the top - possibly
there's something accessible from the side/underneath that I've missed.
> Has it a manual choke?
Not a manual choke as seen on a car (or if there is I haven't spotted it).
There's a throttle lever which has 'on' and 'off' but it's cable-linked so
it's possible to throttle it back a bit. I'm not sure that would be
possible in the 1-3s before it dies.
> Firstly I'd check the oil level (but that is probably OK) then take the
> plug out and check it's appearance, condition and gap. Next have a look
> at the carb and fuel filter and swap the old fuel for fresh.
Right, will have a look as soon as I get a chance.
Thanks for the advice,
Theo
Posted by Dave Liquorice on November 7, 2006, 10:10 am
On 07 Nov 2006 11:22:59 +0000 (GMT), Theo Markettos wrote:
> No I don't. It's probably worth replacing it anyway. Would it be safe
> to put the excess in the car?
Yes, less than a gallon of stale fuel isn't going to be a problem with a
cars petrol tank more than half full. I doubt it would be a problem
almost empty.
> (Otherwise I can't think how I'd dispose of it)
If you don't value your eyebrows it burns well. B-) WHUMPFFF!!!
> OK, will do. I didn't see any oil filler or dipstick on the top -
> possibly there's something accessible from the side/underneath that
> I've missed.
Mighht just be a overflow type filler plastic plug low down. Drains tend
to be a square headed plug right on the bottom edge of the engine
casting.
--
Cheers new5pam@howhill.com
Dave. pam is missing e-mail
Posted by adder1969 on November 7, 2006, 10:35 am
Theo Markettos wrote:
> It worked when I saw it, and when I used it to mow the front lawn, and then
> it kept stopping. Noticed there wasn't much petrol in it, so filled it up
> with what I assume is unleaded from the can (the seller said he'd give me
> the can as he couldn't be bothered to put it in his car). Now it's still
> refusing to start. With a few priming pumps I can get it to run for about
> 1-3 seconds before it dies.
Make sure the ignition is on and the fuel inlet is open if there is
one. Sounds like maybe it needs choking for a cold start. If there is
no choke then I'd be surprised but try closing off some of the air
intake or adjust the fuel mixture to be richer. Some carb cleaner down
the inlet often works magic too.
Post a pic somewhere (not here) and someone might recognise it.
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> assume is unleaded from the can