Float, bowl and jet check : lawn mower
Float, bowl and jet check : lawn mower
- First of all, if there is a gas faucet installed, turn. Alternatively, hold the fuel line with a vise or something similar (this may not completely cut the flow). You can do without holding the line, but don't panic when the fuel starts to run out, in any case it should be just a trickle. Have a container ready and hold it under to catch any fuel.
- Loosen and remove the nut from the cup (which looks like a bolt, don't ask me why it's called a nut!) At the bottom of the cup, being careful not to lose any fiber washer.
- Remove bowl completely.
- Loosen the vise screws or open the faucet and the fuel must flow freely from the inlet valve. Gently press the float up and be sure to cut the flow. If it does not, debris may be blocking the needle valve, which prevents the needle from settling properly. In addition, the float could be drilled and not be able to float properly. Both conditions will cause the carburetor to flood and possibly the fuel outlet of the carburetor air inlet through the air filter.
- If no fuel came out of the needle valve when the floating container was removed or the fuel tap was activated, there could be two causes. First of all, the fuel filter may be blocked. This can be a separate component in the fuel line or in the fuel line inlet inside the tank. The second cause is a blocked valve that prevents the fuel from flowing into the container, so it should be cleaned. If the container is slowly filled due to a partially blocked inlet valve, the symptoms are a lawn mower that starts and then dies after a couple of minutes as the fuel is consumed faster than it can flow into the container from the T Anque. Another possibility in larger engines, such as lawn mowers, is a fuel pump that is not working properly.
- If there seems to be no problem with the flow of fuel in the container, the fault could be a clogged main fuel jet. If you have an air compressor, you can try to blow through the jet with an air pistol. However, it might be gummed up, and in this case you may try using an aerosol carburetor cleaner. Insert the flexible spray straw into the stream and use some puffs to clear any debris. Do not use steel wires, pins or needles to hit the jets, as soft bronze surfaces may be damaged (in theory, the soft copper wire strands of a power cord should be fine because they are softer than brass).
- Finally, remove any debris from the Filter cup and check if the nut in the brass box is clogged by dirt. In some carburetors, this performs two functions, keeps the container in place and also acts as part of the jet system. Once all this has been done, replace the cup, being careful not to overtighten the Brass cup nut and try to start the engine again.
