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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8970
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Has anyone ever had a lawn mower fail due to Pemex gas?
My Snapper Lawn Mower stopped working due to bad Pemex gas I brought back and poured into its tank last month.  My next step will be to fill it with a high-quality gasoline and see if I can start it up.
The symptoms? It stumbles, but will not start. The last time it ran, it sputtered for about 3 minutes, and would not start again. Any Nomads ever
encounter this with your Gardening equipment?
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 695
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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Your description is thin on diagnostic info.
Nevertheless, here's my take:
Don't be so quick to assume that it has anything to do with "Pemex gas."
The problem is likely fuel and/or carburetor related, but due to old gas and "varnish" deposits.
It is very common problem on small engines (motorcycles, ATVs, generators, gas water pumps, lawnmowers, chainsaws, etc.) The underlying problem is
twofold.
1. They tend to sit for weeks/months/years without being run. When they are run, the tank may be partially used, so all or most of the gas in the tank
may be quite old. Old gas separates and the varnishes form gooey solids (varnish).
2. The carburetor fuel bowl is small. The fuel bowl venting is likely not a closed system, instead venting through a tube to the outside air. The
residual gas in the bowl can evaporate completely, leaving behind a coating of varnish deposits.
Gasoline refiners save money by skimping on the stabilizing chemicals. Consequently, gas is only "fresh" for a few weeks. I consider 6 months to be
the outside limit without adding a stabilizer.
Your mower engine symptoms sound like a gummed up carb. (caveat: I don't know anything specifically about Snapper mowers).
Either the main jets are clogged or the float in the fuel bowl is stuck. Stuck in the up position, the float will close the inlet valve, not letting
fuel into the bowl. Stuck in the down position will overfill the bowl, causing flooding (excess fuel in the cylinder).
When you say it "stumbles" are you saying it will fire a few times like it is trying to start, but not keep running? If you get a cloud of black smoke
out the exhaust and smell raw fuel, then it is flooded. Hold the throttle wide open, with zero choke, and crank the motor several times.
If there is no black smoke and no smell of gasoline, then it may not be getting enough gas. Pour a half teaspoon of gasoline, or a quick shot of
Berryman B-12 Chemtool or Gumout (or use the more volatile spray ether aka : "quick start") down the carb and see if it will fire off. If it runs a
few seconds then dies, you have narrowed it down to a fuel delivery problem (vs. ignition or compression problem).
If you get it to run, try stalling it by covering the bore of the carb (real men use the palm of their hand, but for safety try a rag) to cut off all
of the air. The idea is that it creates a strong vacuum to suck particles trough the jets and passages.
If it doesn't fire off, check to make sure that you have a strong spark. I doubt that is the problem, however, it should be ruled out before
disassembling the carb.
A stuck float is often unstuck by tapping on the side of the fuel bowl. I prefer to use the hard plastic handle of a screwdriver. You don't want to
overdo it with a hammer on cast aluminum. That may only be a temporary solution, as the varnishes that caused it to stick have not been removed from
the carb.
Next, try removing the fuel line from the carb. Good time to make sure that there is no obstruction and that fuel is actually flowing out of the tank
and into the carb. If gas isn't flowing, check an inline fuel filter or pickup screen in the tank outlet. Squirt Chemtool / Gumout directly into the
carb and let it sit in the bowl for a few minutes. Sometimes that will do the trick if the varnish problem is mild.
If all of those measures fail, you will need to remove the fuel bowl from the carburetor. Use care as there may be a spring or two, incl. one on the
inlet valve. Pull straight off so as not to bump the float out of adjustment.
Clean everything well. I use a stiff toothbrush or small parts brush and Chemtool. Spray all of the holes and jets using the thin red "straw" found on
the side of the can. A severely clogged jet might require reaming with a wire.
It should run good-as-new when you reassemble. Next, you will want to prevent this from happening again:
If you aren't using an entire tank of gas and it will be sitting for more than 3 or 4 months, then empty the tank. Alternatively, you might try a
gasoline stabilizer, Stabil or Seafoam, for storage supposedly up to a year.
Shut off the fuel between the tank and carb, hopefully there is a petc-ck on the bottom of the tank. If not, install an inline petc-ck. After every
use, close the petc-ck and then run the engine until it starves and dies. Takes 15 seconds to a minute. Increase the throttle as it starts to starve
and slow in rpm's).
I get lots of practice with this between desert seasons. The buggy with dual Delorto carbs, a Honda generator, and dirt bikes sit unused for 6 or 7
months. I run all of the carbs dry, then dispose of the leftover fuel in the generator and bikes, and add stabilizer to the buggy's tank. There is
never a problem. You should see what my friends go through at the start of a new season! A little prevention saves hours of frustration.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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spark plug.
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
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Mood: Weary
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not the gas
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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I go to Baja so I don't have to mow
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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its probably just a dirty carb and a stuck float
but
it could be gas in the oil
on small engines...if it sits for along time...
sometimes gas seeps past the rings
check the oil level...if it high or too thin just change it
an easy fix
I never run the thing out of gas...its better to start it once in a while
if you run it dry ...for sure...you'll be cleaning the carb
edit: remember where that Pemex gas was refined...you know
[Edited on 5-6-2013 by Bob and Susan]
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Marinero
Nomad
Posts: 419
Registered: 11-4-2003
Location: Los Barriles, BCS
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What is a "Lawn Mower"?
Si estás buscando la person que cambiará su vida, échale una mirada en el espejo.
Fish logo from www.usafishing.com, used w/permission.
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have..... |
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JAG
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 11-2-2012
Location: ROSARITO,MX
Member Is Offline
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Check the air filter and clean
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absinvestor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 11-28-2009
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I agree with Maderita. Same thing has happened to me twice. Last year I had the lawn mower tuned up, blade sharpened etc etc. Worked perfect. Last
week I pulled it out of the storage shed. It started but spit, sputtered etc. I knew since I had just had it tuned that it must be the gas. I drained
the gas in the tank (US gas), poured out the little gas that was left in the gas station and headed to the gas station. I put the new gas in the
mower, pulled the cord and it ran like top. I would also mention that a few years ago I had the same problem with a new weed eater. A brand new
weedeater wouldn't start. When I took it back to Lowes where I had bought it the guy asked me if I had old gas. I told him the gas was fine but it was
gas from the prior year. He told me to dump out the gas, add new gas and if it didn't start he would give me a new weedeater and a $20 coupon for a
future purchase. I changed the gas and the weedeater immediately started.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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Maybe it's just the altitude. Try raising it a little at a time until it runs right:
Bob Durrell
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Ken:
Drain the old gas, put in new gas, I am sure you can find some VP racing gas.
Fill the tank about 1/2 full, add a 1/2 pint of acetone and a 1/2 pint of rubbing alcohol. (acetone clears up varnish & alcohol mixes with gas to
eliminate stalling from water). Run the engine until it runs out of gas.
Those two should clear up the varnish.
If That, by chance doesn't clear it up, I can meet you somewhere and bring you a can of professional gas additive that my company sells. It is about
$20,00 a bottle, but it's claim de fame is that it clears up check engine lights and guarantees that you'll pass smog after you add a bottle.
It has cleared up my light on my Prius which now has 488,000 miles.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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TecateRay
Nomad
Posts: 346
Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: La Mesa, CA
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The ethanol added to all US gas increases the problem of "old" fuel in small engines. It also rots out o-rings and other rubber and plastic parts,
causing fuel issues due to particles clogging jets, etc.
This is a well known problem with motorcycles and since I am a frequent rider in Baja I have learned a few lessons on the topic.
First of all, most gasoline in northern Baja is refined in the US. Gas doesn't sit around in the tanks at stations in Baja like years ago either.
A friend who is a materials engineer checked a sample of PEMEX premium a few months ago to see if it has ethanol - the answer is no! I try to run
only PEMEX Premium in my bike now to avoid fuel problems. I also do the trick mentioned above by turning of the fuel petc-ck and running the bike
until it quits. This still leaves a little in the float bowl, but not much and usually not enough to coat the jets with varnish if it sits too long.
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Wally
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 3-15-2006
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Seafoam, seafoam seafoam
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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never put rubbing alcohol in your gas tank...it'll eat rubber
and there is no cure for the commom cold either and
there no chemical additive that will pass a California smog inspection test
by adding to the gas tank
another urban myth...
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
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Mood: Easy Does It
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Carb
OLD Biker Trick. Disasembel it And place it in a small pan and add water and a small amount of dishwashing soap. Bring to a boil then empty pan and
rinse the Carb and parts will be shinney like new. Reasemble and adjust. it will run like new.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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you mean the water pump they use to charge customers and then pocket the money?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Throw it away
if it's a Snapper, throw it away and get a Honda
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Buy some Paraquat, kill what's left of the grass, throw the mower in the trash and go get drunk to celebrate a good day's work.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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Help the economy and hire a lawn service.
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
Member Is Offline
Mood: Weary
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I had a date ruined once, by excess gas....
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