Kawaski motor doesn't always want to restart

[Lawnboy18]

It randomly doesn't want to restart when I shuff it off for a few minutes. If I let it cool down or try several times screwing around with the choke it can restart. Any reasons why it is doing this to me? It is really getting anoying and worse! Is it the cold weather arriving messing up the carb adjustments? I looked at the carb and it doesn't seem to have many adjustment screws appart for one that cranks up the revs. I screwed that one in to make the motor rev more. It seems to help a little.

The motor is a FJ 180V. It is the one in the Ybravo 21" and in many commercial mowers. I would love to get some input on this! I tried checking the coil, but it is burried by a bunch of stuff unfortunetly. I opened up the head to inspect also the carb. Everything is clean.

 

[EngineMan]

It randomly doesn't want to restart when I shuff it off for a few minutes. If I let it cool down or try several times screwing around with the choke it can restart. Any reasons why it is doing this to me? It is really getting anoying and worse! Is it the cold weather arriving messing up the carb adjustments? I looked at the carb and it doesn't seem to have many adjustment screws appart for one that cranks up the revs. I screwed that one in to make the motor rev more. It seems to help a little.

The motor is a FJ 180V. It is the one in the Ybravo 21" and in many commercial mowers. I would love to get some input on this! I tried checking the coil, but it is burried by a bunch of stuff unfortunetly. I opened up the head to inspect also the carb. Everything is clean.

Being that you can start with the choke, I would start by cleaning the carb (not just looking at it) than the fuel filter in the tank, check the compression when cold and again when hot, Min 28.4psi. also check the valve clearance. you can start it with choke so wouldn't be spark, but check it anyway.
I have a manual for that if you need one, PM me.

 

[Lawnboy18]

Yes, it can start with choke, but sometimes it will just not want to start even with the choke. If the carb is already dirty, I am really surprrised since I bought the mower in July. I will clean it anyways.

How do I get to the fuel filter exacly? I didnt know this mower had one.

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[EngineMan]

It is the part that goes into the fuel tank. (end of fuel line)
Make sure that you do have a good spark when you can't start it.

 

[Lawnboy18]

It is the part that goes into the fuel tank. (end of fuel line)
Make sure that you do have a good spark when you can't start it.

Ohh, I didn't know it was there! I will check it! I checked the spark plug and it is still good. The compression is way good. The mower did this nasty backfire when I tried to start it up.
I don't know if this is relevant or not, but I get the occasional huge cloud of white smoke after trying to start it many times. It looks like this engine has never been right. I don't quite understand. I will keep on checking on the things you told me to do like clean the carb and check the fuel filter.

 

[EngineMan]

Ohh, I didn't know it was there! I will check it! I checked the spark plug and it is still good. The compression is way good. The mower did this nasty backfire when I tried to start it up.
I don't know if this is relevant or not, but I get the occasional huge cloud of white smoke after trying to start it many times. It looks like this engine has never been right. I don't quite understand. I will keep on checking on the things you told me to do like clean the carb and check the fuel filter.

When you say "back fire" do you mean out of the exhaust, or out of the carb..? and with the white smoke, check the oil level, also see if you have water in the fuel, nasty backfire check the timing and the valves.

 

[Kodie's Lawn Service]

Ohh, I didn't know it was there! I will check it! I checked the spark plug and it is still good. The compression is way good. The mower did this nasty backfire when I tried to start it up.
I don't know if this is relevant or not, but I get the occasional huge cloud of white smoke after trying to start it many times. It looks like this engine has never been right. I don't quite understand. I will keep on checking on the things you told me to do like clean the carb and check the fuel filter.

if you just got it take it back an have them look at it

 

[Lawnboy18]

When you say "back fire" do you mean out of the exhaust, or out of the carb..? and with the white smoke, check the oil level, also see if you have water in the fuel, nasty backfire check the timing and the valves.

I am not sure. I just heard this loud bang when I pulled on the cord and then the mower started up. Oil is checked regurlary and the level is good. I do have to say my gas can is alwasys outside and since someone stole my new gas can I have to use an old one now that has a leaky cap so I simply put a piece of plastic bag to cover up the hole and tighten the cap around it. I guess that could cause some problems.

I did remove the valve cover. The rocker arms are kinda loose I have to say. Do I need to tighten them up to torque spec (I do have a torque wrench)? I found a video on Youtube on how to do it : Lawn Mower Repair Valve Adjustment - YouTube
Would that be the right way to do it? If so, what is the specs for the spacing?

One interesting thing. At first start up, the mower starts up fine, but as soon as I let go of the throttle bail and I put it back it back to throttle, the motor does not want to restart what so ever. So, I have to pull it many times or let it sit for a while to restart.

 

[EngineMan]

Start by downloading the manual, read it and then give the engine the service that it may well need. from what you say the valve's do need checking.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vbbsfbh4lsu7o0i/FJ180V--KAWASAKI-SERVICE-REPAIR-MANUAL.pd