jjstephens75
Forum Newbie
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2018
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 7
My Z425 is 10 years old but only has 168 hours on it. It has the B&S 23HP Model 44L777 Type 0015 B1 engine.
After years of flawless operation, year before last it wouldn't start. I don't recall how, but I diagnosed it as a fuel issue. I replaced the hose, filter and fuel pump. Just for grins I also replaced the plugs and air filter. Still wouldn't start. Shop put another fuel pump on it. It ran fine for them and ran for me for about 15-20 minutes (one mowing of my back yard). After that, it wouldn't start. I was having some significant med issues so it sat idle for the next year.
Last fall I put a new carb on it. It ran ok for about two weeks then it wouldn't start again. This spring I put on another new carb. It worked great for two months. Now it won't start again.
I'm using new, clean gas from a national brand gas station. All my fuses are good. I have confirmed with an in-line tester that I have a strong spark. I am getting gas to the carb. I've tried tapping on the carb--no luck. I'm not a fan of starter fluid but I gave it a one-time shot. The engine ran for a few seconds but died as soon as the ether was used up. I think all of that tells me something is going on inside the carb.
I've spent several hours searching this and other forums for clues. I've seen some posts about the carb solenoid going bad but I have a hard time believing two of them went bad on brand new carbs, one after 30 minutes and the second in 2 or 3 hours. I'm clueless how to test it.
I can handle basic repairs but I'm not a mechanic and even less of an electrician. I'm hoping to avoid having to put it in the shop due to massive med bills for me and my wife doing a serious number on my finances. If any one has any ideas for me to try I would be very grateful, and even more so if you could be as explicit as possible.
After years of flawless operation, year before last it wouldn't start. I don't recall how, but I diagnosed it as a fuel issue. I replaced the hose, filter and fuel pump. Just for grins I also replaced the plugs and air filter. Still wouldn't start. Shop put another fuel pump on it. It ran fine for them and ran for me for about 15-20 minutes (one mowing of my back yard). After that, it wouldn't start. I was having some significant med issues so it sat idle for the next year.
Last fall I put a new carb on it. It ran ok for about two weeks then it wouldn't start again. This spring I put on another new carb. It worked great for two months. Now it won't start again.
I'm using new, clean gas from a national brand gas station. All my fuses are good. I have confirmed with an in-line tester that I have a strong spark. I am getting gas to the carb. I've tried tapping on the carb--no luck. I'm not a fan of starter fluid but I gave it a one-time shot. The engine ran for a few seconds but died as soon as the ether was used up. I think all of that tells me something is going on inside the carb.
I've spent several hours searching this and other forums for clues. I've seen some posts about the carb solenoid going bad but I have a hard time believing two of them went bad on brand new carbs, one after 30 minutes and the second in 2 or 3 hours. I'm clueless how to test it.
I can handle basic repairs but I'm not a mechanic and even less of an electrician. I'm hoping to avoid having to put it in the shop due to massive med bills for me and my wife doing a serious number on my finances. If any one has any ideas for me to try I would be very grateful, and even more so if you could be as explicit as possible.