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AR15.COM
5/7/2014 2:56:03 PM EDT
So it's summertime and the mower comes out. I have a Troy-Bilt push mower with a Honda engine that was running fine. After mowing last week, I tipped it on it's side to sharpen the blade a bit... and this is where I done fucked up. I set it over on the side with the intake/carburetor down... and it apparently flooded with oil. About a week later, when I started the mower up, it started, but sputtered and smoked a lot. This is when I removed the filter and oil ran out. It ran like that for about a minute or two, then slowed down and died.

I tried setting it over on the other side so the intake could drain, then put it back in the garage. Fast forward to today, I took it out and she started up again on the second pull, but again was sputtering and smoking a lot. After about a minute or two, it slowed down and died and won't start again.

Am I gonna need to remove the carburetor and clean it all? Any suggestions?
5/7/2014 2:58:42 PM EDT
[#1]
Try dropping or draining the bowl and throw a new plug in it.
5/7/2014 3:00:09 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:
Try dropping or draining the bowl and throw a new plug in it.
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This. You probably fouled your plug.
5/7/2014 3:01:28 PM EDT
[#3]
I have some familiarity with carburetors, I think the bowl is on the bottom of the carburetor behind the filter, correct?

Pulling the plug should be easy. I bet I could clean it up... I'm sure I have some nasty chemicals somewhere that can accomplish this.


Is it generally OK to set the mower on its side to sharpen the blade if the carburetor is UP?
5/7/2014 3:19:06 PM EDT
[#4]
Got it. Needs a new air cleaner.

I took the plug out, and it wasn't bad. A little dark and oily but not too fouled. I pulled out the air filter and she started up and ran normally. While it was running, I put the filter back on and it choked up and died. Pull it off and it runs fine.

Off to the hardware store for a new filter!