Toro Recycler ELECTRIC START Model# 20374 Ser# 400745059 Clone Eng# 1P65F-2. Bought this used about 9 months ago. When I first tried it was amazing. BUT then after emptying bag for 4-5 time and engine was warmed up it became harder and harder to start until it would not start at all. Prob had been mowing 1/2 hour. I have tried everything I can think of and spent way too much. Kinda took it on as a hobbie or Im not going to let it beat me.
Gas is good. Cleaned carb then bought a NEW carb in case I didn't clean the first one well enough. Replaced coil. Air filter new. Oil good. When I got the new carb on it I used it about 3 times to mulch maple leaves. Each time prob re-started it 10 -15 times. Although it destroyed leaves (seems powerfull) It still hesitated to start BUT it did start EVERY TIME. So it was better but starting just wasn't quite like it should be. It would usually "out run the electric start" so I would let the switch out a few seconds until starter could re- engage and then it would fire up but usually after a tiny bit of "backfire" -hope that makes sense.
Then I decided to look at flywheel key. On this engine you could only see the key and groove on the flywheel side NOT the crank shaft so to be shure I removed flywheel and of coarse the key was in fine shape so I don't think flywheel has anything to do with it.
However - just out of curiosity I started engine using the electric start while I still had the blower housing and pull rope housing OFF the engine. Fired up immediatly (cold engine). So i completed installing the housings thinking would run great! NO. Sounded like something was scraping and engine wouldn't start. So I took housings off and tried to see what was scraping. Couldn't find anything wrong. Did this twice just to be sure. Then it started and sounded normal. BUT as it began to warm up and I shut it off and re-started it 7-10 times it became harder to start and I couldn't start it at all using the pull rope. So now I had made it even worse it seems!
There is nothing in the Toro manual about spark plug gap so I guess will try to get a "Clone Manual" + search online for Spark Gap info. Could the engine run great during mowing but be hard to start just because plug gap is a little off?
ONLY thing I can think of is valves. This thing is a 2017 I think and I have a hard time thinking the valves could be messed up on such a newer mower. Should I just toss it in the scrap heap at local dump? Anyone want the old carb? I would mail it to you if you want it.
Any recomendations on what the problem could be? Could fact that it has Electric Start have anything to do with engine starting? Maybe the clown has just kicked my A*&! I think I paid about $230 for it. And now I am probably into it for Another $150 !!! Our gas here has 10% ethenol year round but that doesn't bother my vehicles or other 3 mowers I have. The Honda mower I was hoping this Toro would replace could be 20 years old or more. Still starts 1st or 2nd pull!
Thanks for any advice.
Gas is good. Cleaned carb then bought a NEW carb in case I didn't clean the first one well enough. Replaced coil. Air filter new. Oil good. When I got the new carb on it I used it about 3 times to mulch maple leaves. Each time prob re-started it 10 -15 times. Although it destroyed leaves (seems powerfull) It still hesitated to start BUT it did start EVERY TIME. So it was better but starting just wasn't quite like it should be. It would usually "out run the electric start" so I would let the switch out a few seconds until starter could re- engage and then it would fire up but usually after a tiny bit of "backfire" -hope that makes sense.
Then I decided to look at flywheel key. On this engine you could only see the key and groove on the flywheel side NOT the crank shaft so to be shure I removed flywheel and of coarse the key was in fine shape so I don't think flywheel has anything to do with it.
However - just out of curiosity I started engine using the electric start while I still had the blower housing and pull rope housing OFF the engine. Fired up immediatly (cold engine). So i completed installing the housings thinking would run great! NO. Sounded like something was scraping and engine wouldn't start. So I took housings off and tried to see what was scraping. Couldn't find anything wrong. Did this twice just to be sure. Then it started and sounded normal. BUT as it began to warm up and I shut it off and re-started it 7-10 times it became harder to start and I couldn't start it at all using the pull rope. So now I had made it even worse it seems!
There is nothing in the Toro manual about spark plug gap so I guess will try to get a "Clone Manual" + search online for Spark Gap info. Could the engine run great during mowing but be hard to start just because plug gap is a little off?
ONLY thing I can think of is valves. This thing is a 2017 I think and I have a hard time thinking the valves could be messed up on such a newer mower. Should I just toss it in the scrap heap at local dump? Anyone want the old carb? I would mail it to you if you want it.
Any recomendations on what the problem could be? Could fact that it has Electric Start have anything to do with engine starting? Maybe the clown has just kicked my A*&! I think I paid about $230 for it. And now I am probably into it for Another $150 !!! Our gas here has 10% ethenol year round but that doesn't bother my vehicles or other 3 mowers I have. The Honda mower I was hoping this Toro would replace could be 20 years old or more. Still starts 1st or 2nd pull!
Thanks for any advice.