Three weeks ago my lawn mower would not start so I decided to try changing the gas so I walked up to the gas station to get some gas (my first time doing this). I accidentally got premium gas and put it in my lawn mower. It started up fine and was running smooth untill it started to cut off every once and a while and i would have to let it sit for about 15 minutes before starting it again. Know three weeks later it wont start or it will start for a few minutes and then cut off with smoke coming out of it. Can some one tell me what is going on and how to fix it.
2007-08-28 08:42:23 · 10 answers · asked by mikebbenson 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Are you aware that most lawn boys have 2 cycle engines which require that special oil be mixed with the gas? As opposed to say a Briggs and Stratton engine which has an oil reservoir (crank case) that holds the oil that lubricates the engine when runnig, 2 cycle (also called a 2 stroke) engine requires oil mixed with the gas to lubricate the engine as it runs. Without this, the engine will ruin itself in short order. I suspect this is the case. While a 2 cycle engine does not need an oil change it MUST have oil mixed with the fuel.
2007-08-28 08:52:50 · answer #1 · answered by Jim N 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Almost all are excellent advice. This is only two cents worth, and I'm still just learning, but you mention the "first time" for buying lawnmower gas. If this means you are TRULY a novice, you will need to know, for future reference, whether you have a "two cycle" engine or a "four cycle", and none of these answers tells you clearly HOW to tell the difference! I presume there is no owners manual so....here goes:
Look at your mower from the top. You already know where the gas goes in, but look around & see If there is another place (about one inch wide or so, but could be wider) that has any kind of cap that can be unscrewed or removed by hand. If there IS, then you have a four cycle engine. If there is absolutely NOTHING else available on it that can be unscrewed & filled with oil, then you own a two cycle engine, which REQUIRES that a special kind of oil be thoroughly mixed into the gasoline before putting it into the mower. (Or else you CAN do damage.)
Yahoo Answers is a wonderful source of information for "do-it-yourselfers" like us. Any time you use "ASK", you will be able to mention your type of engine in your question, and maybe even the make of the engine, (such "Tecumseh" or "Briggs & Stratton"). This will help those kind people who answer our questions to know more, and to help you better. You're on the right track...keep going, and good luck!
P.S. You probably haven't harmed it by using premium gas.
2007-08-30 12:08:36 · answer #2 · answered by ohappyday! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It wont hurt the mower to use high test, I bot a brand new White LT12 lawntractor back in 1992, and ran nothing but high test in it for 3 years ( when it was affordable).
Since you mentioned it wouldnt start before, id have to say the carburator needs a decent cleaning - gasoline isnt the cleanest , even from the pumps. Now like suggested - this isnt a oil mix gas is it? Like weedwackers, the plugs can foul easily because of the oil and fuel mix, id also try changing that.
2007-08-29 00:31:36 · answer #3 · answered by The Kidd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is probably not the gas. I would clean the spark plug and check the gap, and clean or replace the air filter. Check for water in your gas tank. The next step would be a gummed up carburetor. Oh and make sure the oil level is where it should be, some mowers now have automatic cutoffs when the oil level is low.
2007-08-28 08:53:47 · answer #4 · answered by Mark T 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, premium gasoline is not the cause. Sounds like you had a problem before you put premium in it, so your best bet is to take it to a repair shop and have them look at it. The list of possible causes is too long to list here, and you probably wouldn't be able to fix them anyway unless you're an auto mechanic, so let the pros deal with this one.
2007-08-28 08:51:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you have a dirty carburetor. It will need to be remove, soaked in a parts cleaner and put back together with a rebuild kit. I am guessing that it is flooding itself. That would be the cause of the smoke. The premium gas shouldn't hurt it, it doesn't need it but some won't hurt.
2007-08-28 12:56:56 · answer #6 · answered by renpen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt the premium gas did anything to your mower. It sounds like your carb needs a healthy cleaning. If you aren't comfortable with this, take it in to a repairman and ask him for a repair quote.
2007-08-28 08:51:24 · answer #7 · answered by Bare B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is like the old lawn boys then you need to mix in with the fuel a can of stuff that basically acts like the oil supply. I haven't dealt with a lawn boy in years, so I don't know if that is still the case. If you put in oil seperate, then it probably isn't.
2007-08-28 08:52:40 · answer #8 · answered by Challenger 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is there enough oil in the reserve?
2007-08-28 08:50:43 · answer #9 · answered by Townie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it to the lawnmower man!!
2007-08-28 08:48:32 · answer #10 · answered by ajanene71 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋