Allotment mower given up the ghost
Allotment mower given up the ghost
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Discussion

sday12

Original Poster:

5,066 posts

233 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
Being non technically minded, what do you suggest I could do to revive the dead allotment mower?

Bough on ebay for the princley sum of £32.78 this Murray 40 Briggs & Stratton engined beauty has expired.

Can sometimes run, and then splutter to a holt.


Cleaned Air Filter, Checked Fuel pipes, Got Spark.


I intend to strip it down, and build it back up again, but is there anything I should be looking for?

Not worth a trip to the local MowerMan who's lead time this time of year is 3 months anyway.

Fire away!


racing green

537 posts

195 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
Short of new spark plug, clean out the carb, leave of the air filter when you start or if all else fails buying a can of easy start I would have another look on ebay. Of course it might be the fuel....

Simpo Two

91,020 posts

287 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
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From Australia (of course!):


Ynox

1,749 posts

201 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
These things are pretty simple.

I'd check the carb diaphragm. Cheap to replace and it's probably this if it's cutting out and you've ruled out the ignition system/air filter.

Police State

4,329 posts

242 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
Ynox said:
These things are pretty simple.

I'd check the carb diaphragm. Cheap to replace and it's probably this if it's cutting out and you've ruled out the ignition system/air filter.
+1 for the carb (diaphram). It may be rust in the carb; over time you can get a condensation buildup in the petrol tank and that in time rusts the carb. Just buy a replacement and fit it yourself. It could also be the throttle springs where they have lost their tension.


Wings

5,925 posts

237 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
Police State said:
Ynox said:
These things are pretty simple.

I'd check the carb diaphragm. Cheap to replace and it's probably this if it's cutting out and you've ruled out the ignition system/air filter.
+1 for the carb (diaphram). It may be rust in the carb; over time you can get a condensation buildup in the petrol tank and that in time rusts the carb. Just buy a replacement and fit it yourself. It could also be the throttle springs where they have lost their tension.
+2 Replace fuel, and pour a drop of new fuel down the spark plug hole, replace plug, and away he, I mean she will go.

sday12

Original Poster:

5,066 posts

233 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
Thanks Guys, I'll give it a go tommorow.

jeff m

4,066 posts

280 months

Saturday 3rd April 2010
quotequote all
Initially dump old gas.
Spray 4 or 5 seconds of carb cleaner into the tank, add one glug of petrol.
Pull starter rope, this will pull your petrol carb cleaner mixture through all the jet holes. It may fire up on the third pull with a puff of black smoke. if it does just add some petrol and you should be good to go.

If not, then it's a carb overhaul.
That involves new diaphram needle, spring, rubber seals, gasket, and welch plugs.
Welch plugs removered by a self tap screw into the centre and pull. then soak carb body in carb cleaner, blow out holes with air, reassemble with the new bits, adjust.

Then probably start looking for a new replacement mower.biggrin