Engine Hiccups

[vabear]

New Troy-Bilt TB230 walk behind with 7.25 B&S engine. She runs great but engine is not smooth, she occasionally hiccups as I mow (never stalls) she is just not always smooth. Just me, is this normal?

 

[ILENGINE]

Could be a occasional spark miss. I read some time ago the Champion plugs claimed that a 25% misfire was acceptable.

 

[vabear]

OK, thanks for the response. I guess I am just used to a four cycle engine humming along smoothly.

 

[William Draper]

Are you using gasoline with an ethanol blend? Many small engines do not run well with ethanol mixed with the gas. Just for the sake of trying it you might try a Premium grade of gasoline. It cured a surge on one of my mowers.

 

[vabear]

Can do or how about some STABIL for Ethanol?

 

[ILENGINE]

Have used stablil over the years but there is better stuff on the market then the stabil products. Startron makes some good ethanol products. The Startron SEF mix removes the hydroscopic properties of the ethanol to help prevent separation, also has some cleaning properties as well.