Primer not working.

**alleyyooper** · #1 04/28/13, 06:39 AM

About 6 years ago I picked this mower up from a road side trash day pile. I needed a good deck for one I had that runs. There was a bit of gas in it so I pushed the primer the same as the engine on mine and it started knocking like crazy. When I turned it over I found that broken part in the picture and a blade I think the past owner mowed rock piles with.

Any how that my history with it. Last fall it would prime to start. I bought and installed a new primer bulb and put away for the winter. Yesterday it wouldn't prime to start, What do I look for to fix it. The bulb is still good and I feel the old one was still good.

Al

backwoodsman7 · #2 04/28/13, 10:13 AM

Did you leave gas in the carb over winter? If so, the carb probably needs a good cleaning.

Nimrod · #3 04/28/13, 03:20 PM

Make sure there is gas in the tank and the gas is turned on if there is a valve. Follow the fuel line from the bulb to the carb. Take it off the carb. Put a tin can under the end of the line to catch the gas and push the primer bulb. If gas squirts out, the carb is plugged. No gas, look at the fuel filter and the fuel lines. The filter is usually in the tank and can be fished out with a piece of wire.

bikehealer1 · #4 04/28/13, 07:22 PM

Ok, that is so weird. I have the same mower. It came from a guy who cleans out rental homes on the side.

Take off the carb, remove the float bowl, inspect the float needle and seat. Most of the time when you let em sit, the needle develops gunk around it to the point it doesnt open to let in more fuel. Last years fuel evaporated over time and became varnish like gunk. This model doesn't have a shut off, but if you are smart you will install an inline valve so that you can run the carb dry next time.

You should be able to get another blade mount flange at your local small engine repair shop. First one I have ever seen broken.

**alleyyooper** · #5 04/29/13, 05:34 AM

I got a new blade and flange for it 6 years ago. Isn't an inline primer bulb, No line either.
Has new fuel in the tank.

Al

bikehealer1 · #6 04/29/13, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alleyyooper

I got a new blade and flange for it 6 years ago. Isn't an inline primer bulb, No line either.
Has new fuel in the tank.

Al

But it does have a fuel line from the tank to the carb. Primer bulb mounts to the airbox assembly and forces air into the front airjet forcing fuel up the main jet emulsion tube.Kind of a tickler circuit if you will..

gusty60 · #7 04/30/13, 09:18 PM

Check for spark.

**alleyyooper** · #8 05/01/13, 06:36 AM

I squirted gas in the spark plug hole and reinstalled the plug and mowed a old flower bed a week ago. I never even had an idea that having spark or no spark would stop the primer from working.

I'll check that fuel line for a hole or being plugged.

Al

Allen W · #9 05/01/13, 08:13 AM

I have one setting here to fix for my neighbor just like it. The drive belt wont stay on. Does yours have electric start?

**alleyyooper** · #10 05/02/13, 05:23 AM

No Mine is just pull start.

Might have time to fool with it today too.

Al

Allen W · #11 05/02/13, 08:35 AM

The one I'm working on is my neighbors when she told me it was electric start I thought she was full of it. She uses it to mow under stuff her riding mower can't reach. Raining today so I won't get to it, did get new blades and bearings in her riding mower and it put together.

**alleyyooper** · #12 05/03/13, 05:59 AM

I have seen the electric start models. Use a straight edge to make sure the pulleys are still alined. Some times the holes for the engine will wear bigger if the bolts are not kept tight and the pulleys won't aline right. Also check the tention spring.

Al

**alleyyooper** · #13 05/04/13, 06:24 AM

Took the primer part off the carb yesterday so I could get at the hoses. There isn't any hoses. there is a channel milled in the part and a big tube.
I got pictures of it but need to up load them so I can post them.

Al

**alleyyooper** · #14 05/10/13, 09:38 AM

Here is a picture of the plate. The tub I have circled I assume is th efuel pick up from the tank. the other circled area butts againest the carb and I figure that is wher ethe fuel primed enters the carb. I didn't see and thing wrong with it but ran a pair of pipe cleanes thru the channels and it is working again.

Al