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Virginia Rocks!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Just outside the beltway
Posts: 8,497
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Lawnmower engine surging - how to fix?
At idle the engine in my 2 year old Honda powered mover is surging something fierce. When I engage the blade, it still does it but not as much. I have stuck my fingers into the levers and cables to rev it up a bit, but I can tell it's still surging.
It's got plenty of oil and the air filter is clean. How do I fix this myself? I don't want to take it to the shop. The grass will be to my ass by the time I g et it back.
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Rosewood 1983 911 SC Targa | Black 1990 944 S2 | White 1980 BMW R65 | Past: Crystal 1986 944 na Guards Red is for the Unoriginal
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08-04-2006, 05:10 PM |
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I'm off the hook.....
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: 22 miles south, then 11 miles west of LAS
Posts: 2,895
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I would say Italian tune up. Use it, it will either get better or worse. Either way you'll have done your part.
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No, I don't sing. Based there for too long. |
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08-04-2006, 05:15 PM |
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disconnect the govenor. you should see a bar moving back and forth opening the throttle blade when its about to die, and closing it as it revs. you can disconnect it and maybe run a throttle controll from a local hardware store. this is how B&S motors work, pretty sure the honda is similar
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08-04-2006, 07:16 PM |
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Monkey Wrench
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 919
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This happened to my lawn mower a couple months ago. I ended up taking it to a shop and they rebuilt the carb for about $60. Now it works like a champ. They blamed the problem on inactivity... I hadn't used the mower in about a year. They said even if you don't mow your lawn, you should still start it monthly to keep things in check.
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08-04-2006, 07:23 PM |
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Porsche, Range Rover
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,314
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calling Robert Coates!!!
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08-04-2006, 08:36 PM |
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Throw a new spark plug in it first. I even went a step hotter since it was burning so rich.
If that doesn't work, try rebuilding the carb. There aren't many parts. You can probably do it without parts or a manual.
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2014 Cayman S (track rat w/GT4 suspension) 1979 930 (475 rwhp at 0.95 bar) |
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08-04-2006, 09:01 PM |
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 250
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Same problem with my Poulain about 2 years ago. Checked spark plug and governor and both were fine. Did a "rebuilt" of the carburetor and that solved the problem completely. The kits are available from the local hardware store (Lowe's for me). In my case it was just a rubber membrane with some holes cut out of it. Removed 4 screws to split the carburetor horizontally and replaced the rubber piece, while keeping track of which loose pieces were above and which ones were supposed to be below the membrane. Hopes this works for you too.
While reading up on this on the internet before my fix, I read a warning not to run it while it is surging. The surging is caused by the mixture being way too rich and that can wash the oil from the cylinder and do permanent damage to the engine.
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Harold 89 911 Targa, 96 Saab 900S, 02 Passat 1.8T Wagon 02 BMW 530i, 08 Cayman, 17 GTI DSG 19 Subaru Forester |
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08-05-2006, 08:27 AM |
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I hadn't thought about the washing the cylinder wall issue. Guess it's time to rebuild the carb in addition to the plug.
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2014 Cayman S (track rat w/GT4 suspension) 1979 930 (475 rwhp at 0.95 bar) |
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08-05-2006, 11:06 AM |
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,460
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I say clean out the carb. Used to have this same problem on a Briggs, it would need the occasonal cleanng
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08-05-2006, 12:48 PM |
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Retired in Georgia
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Re: Lawnmower engine surging - how to fix?
Quote:
The carb is probably plugged up a bit, which causes the engine to run lean, which causes the the engine speed to fall off, and the governor forces the carb to open more, thus the surge cycle begins. Solution? Clean/rebuild the carb, or buy a new one. If you'll reply with the frame and engine serial numbers, I can get you a price on a new carb. For many Honda mowers, the carbs are cheap enough to simply replace, and easy, bolt-on job.
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I've got five kids, an Italian wife, and I (used to) write about lawn mowers. You think you have problems? -Robert Coats |
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08-07-2006, 05:57 PM |
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: outta here
Posts: 47,315
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Try removing the float bowl and cleaning the jets, before going to the trouble of rebuilding the carb. I had a Honda a few years back and had to clean the crap out of the bowl frequently. No fuel filter and a poor tank venting system ensured a constant addition of crap to my fuel.
Sold it and bought a John Deere and never looked back. JR
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Verbum sapienti satis est. |
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08-07-2006, 06:09 PM |
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
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Quote:
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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08-07-2006, 07:52 PM |
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Capital Region, NY
Posts: 687
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Techron. A couple of caps full. Worth a try. Fixed mine.
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08-08-2006, 12:29 PM |
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Bandwidth AbUser
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 29,523
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Quote:
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Jim R. |
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08-08-2006, 12:32 PM |
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I'm with Bill
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Jensen Beach, FL
Posts: 13,029
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Quote:
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08-08-2006, 12:34 PM |
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