Lawnmower issues (non boaty ....)

[peter2407]

I have a Viking 6 hp mower that has a Briggs and Stratton engine. Story goes - haven't serviced it since I got it (4 years ago..), I have used and abused it (e.g. Leave it outside under a tree all winter), but came to use it a few weeks ago and it started first pull. Let it run whilst checking the fuel level an realised it needed some, in the meantime it ran sweetly.

But then .... Filled up with what was meant to be fresh fuel and it has refused to start or even cough since. I have changed the fuel again and checked that fuel is getting to the carb; changed the spark plug and checked that there is a spark, but as regard the plug - cant actually see a spark (i am ding this in daylight, I may not be holding it against the right part of the engine body, SWMBE may not be giving it a proper pull - quiet at the back - but if I hold the spark plug holder/cable, I do get "a tingle", which I am assuming is power).

The above were attempted on multiple occasions so I am assuming any carb flooding has gone. This is a 4 stroke engine that doesn't have a user controlled throttle as such and is geared to drive (sic). Haven't changed the oil yet.

Any thoughts or suggestions please?

 

[sailorman]

First thought
GoTo the lounge

 

[DownWest]

Even B&S engines like a bit of looking after in 4 yrs. Just re-built a 16hp one after he used it for two years in his garden work, without checking the oil!!! Bust the rod and required a short engine.

This is a bit lounge.

 

[VicS]

First thought
GoTo the lounge

Or better still post on the Reader to Reader forum, which is the place for practical advice

 

[armchairsailor]

Second thought - Google.

 

[peter2407]

Chaps - I did consider all of the above and opted for here as:

Reader to Reader - though Practical, is more inclined to boaty stuff and I wouldn't want to sully the place
Google - tried that, which is where some of my process of elimination came from
Lounge - not sure that I would want the 10th response to be based on the machinations of Hitler or to have a rant begin about mowing grass being the root cause of MMGW
Scuttlebutt - the coffee machine at work (the lubber equivalent) is the place to discuss anything but work

Thanks anyway.

 

[SteveMB]

Filled up with what was meant to be fresh fuel

Had a similar problem, my fuel had been in a 1 gallon (OK 5 litre) container for less than a fortnight and had "gone off", leaves a sticky residue in the carb. According to my local lawnmower repair man it's a common issue. Solution is to remove the carb's float chamber, "blow through" the feed holes to the jet - and use petrol pretty much straight from the garage pump - and keep your fuel in the coolest place possible.

 

[nigelmercier]

Scuttlebutt - the coffee machine at work (the lubber equivalent) is the place to discuss anything but work...

I agree, the forum is badly named. On my Bavaria forum the chat area is indeed called Scuttlebutt.

If you were holding the plug lead, you should have got more than a "tingle". You should have been leaping around shouting **** **** ****.

 

[richardbayle]

Remove spark plug, squirt in some WD 40, replace spark plug, pull starter rope and boom! It will either blow up or start, mine always started. I think it was shock.

 

[Seajet]

Well for Briggs & Stratton advice I could ask my chum Gordon, he was World Champion lawn mower racer for several years until he had to retire due to the many serious injuries he collected !