MTD rider mower stalls, but never dies

[rigoletto]

People,

13 HP engine MTD mower (about 15 yrs old) , when mowing, stalls, kind of hesitates/lowers RPM's while mowing. Fresh gas. Then, a few seconds later, engine picks up to regular high rpm speed. Then, does it over again. Cant figure it out. Maybe clogged fuel filter? Ever seen this, people?

Thanks

 

[EngineMan]

People,

13 HP engine MTD mower (about 15 yrs old) , when mowing, stalls, kind of hesitates/lowers RPM's while mowing. Fresh gas. Then, a few seconds later, engine picks up to regular high rpm speed. Then, does it over again. Cant figure it out. Maybe clogged fuel filter? Ever seen this, people?

Thanks

Could be the air filter take it out and then try it, but go for a carb clean. and make sure the fuel is getting to the carb.

 

[reynoldston]

Fuel filter, air filters, and spark-plug are cheap, replace them first before doing anything else.

 

[Fish]

Sounds like a layer of water in the bottom of the carb, it sits in the bottom until you hit a bump or turn, and a little bit gets sucked up. Just keep running it, it will burn through after a while.

 

[rigoletto]

Sounds like a layer of water in the bottom of the carb, it sits in the bottom until you hit a bump or turn, and a little bit gets sucked up. Just keep running it, it will burn through after a while.

Right!! Geez, howd you know?? I did not metntion it cuz I figured it wouldnt add much to the issue, but yes, at turns, it acts up way worse. But, wouldnt hurt still to change fuel filter/air filter- has never been done. carb- was rebuilt not long ago......

 

[exotion]

Right!! Geez, howd you know?? I did not metntion it cuz I figured it wouldnt add much to the issue, but yes, at turns, it acts up way worse. But, wouldnt hurt still to change fuel filter/air filter- has never been done. carb- was rebuilt not long ago......

Ya basic maintenance is always good. Pull the bowl off the carb 1/2 wrench drain it put it back on

 

[reynoldston]

If is water in the bottom of the carburetor it had to get there some how. Now lets see, the carburetor is a sealed unit as it sits on the engine. Just a wild guess, but I will say it had to come from the gas tank??? Just a suggestion but I would clean the gas tank and replace the fuel filter or it just might happen over again.??? But what do I know. The next dumb question, how would water get into the gas tank? Your dirty gas can or leaking fuel tank cap when the tractor sat in the rain?? or do you have a neighbor that is mad at you?

 

[exotion]

If is water in the bottom of the carburetor it had to get there some how. Now lets see, the carburetor is a sealed unit as it sits on the engine. Just a wild guess, but I will say it had to come from the gas tank??? Just a suggestion but I would clean the gas tank and replace the fuel filter or it just might happen over again.??? But what do I know. The next dumb question, how would water get into the gas tank? Your dirty gas can or leaking fuel tank cap when the tractor sat in the rain?? or do you have a neighbor that is mad at you?

Good point also avoid making neighbors angry better water than sugar

 

[Fish]

Usually, you will get some water in from condensation from sitting around in bad weather, and the beads will just sit in the bottom.

 

[reynoldston]

Usually, you will get some water in from condensation from sitting around in bad weather, and the beads will just sit in the bottom.

I can say I have never seen that happen to the point of making the mower run bad. But our weather is different then yours, unless you are talking about hard rain and its getting into the gas tank first? I would say here the question is where he storing this mower to get condensation in the carburetor? At this point I would say find a different storage spot.