Lawn mower trouble, please help.?

Question

My gas is leaking into the oil and everytime I mow I have to drain oil out and put new oil in. I've checked to see if there is a cut off valve for the gas and I can't find one. What can I do to fix this problem?
Also, for some reason my lawn mower is not taking hills or slopes to well anymore. My mower will go so slow that it will quit. Could this be my belt?

Answer 1

I've dealt with this many times.......

Its either a stuck fuel float (its in the carb bowl, lowers and lets fuel in, then goes up to shut it off till the level drops again, constantly keeping the fuel bowl full)

This float can stick, or form a hole in it (around the soldering that holds it together) and sink..... causing fuel to flow uncontrollably, this fuel will run up and into the breather, and on into the oil...., the float also operates what is called a "inlet needle" this is what shuts the fuel off... or lets in it, basically its a movable cork if ya will....., this may have a neoprene tip, or use a rubber seat... either of these can get hard and leak themselves.....

You can go and buy a fuel shutoff valve and install it midway the fuel line to use as a quick fix..... but I'd recommed a needle and seat kit.... also check the float for sticking (move it up and down) and for fuel in it (will feel heavy, and well not float)

This can also cause a rich condition making the engine run poorer.... or of course the belt may need replacing from being old and worn.

Answer 2

Since you mention that yours isnt taking hills well anymore, I assume you are referring to a riding mower. You 'could' be having a problem with the transmission, but, since you mention the gas leaking into the oil.... that is what I would fix first.

The reasons you would have gas leak into the oil, could be a hole in the cylinder, or a bad ring. If youve had a big backfire before you noticed it leaking, I'd wager youve got a problem with a cylinder head.

Small engines can be costly to repair. You can talk to a business that services and sells small engines and they can tell you more about that. You might even consider taking it to a nearby Vo-Tech school, to let them work on it. I can remember tearing a mower engine apart and rebuilding it in Jr High, hehehe. They would only charge you for the cost of any parts they needed to buy, but you can expect to wait for them to finish it, and get it back to you, as it is students working it, only a few hours a day, at best.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Yikes...sounds like a rupture in a tank or fuel line somewhere..that would contribute to it cutting off on hills and slopes...the fuel may be at an angle on the incline, therefore it's leaking out and not reaching its destination. If you know of a good lawn mower repair shop, see if they can look at it and give you an estimate. Depending on the age and original cost of your mower, you might do better to get a new one. I hope that ithis is not the case, and that it is as simple as a cheap fuel line replacement...good luck!

Answer 4

Do You have a 14.5 B&S?. Get a in line gas shut off valve. Or put a new needle and seat in the carburetor. You need the needle and seat but the shut off is easy to do .When you are done mowing turn off the gas. Rember to trun it on next you mow. Luck to You.

Answer 5

I had these problems with my rider. i put in a shut valve in the in line fro the fuel tank. just shut the valve off every time you are done mowing. also, there should be a adjustment for your belt. sometimes those belts wear and need to be replaced. i had these problems with my craftsman 14.5 Briggs&stratin.
good luck!

Answer 6

sounds like the fuel line is cracked if its a belt driven mower then your assumption of a bad belt is right good luck