Most likely ethanol gas. Try a product called Motor Medic. Walmart has their own brand. Put it in the fuel tank and run the mower to get it intothe carb. Then let it sit overnight. You may have to do this several times. If this doesn't work, you need a new carb.One of our mowers is a standard Troy-Built walk behind 6.5 B&S. I have had it about 10 years, got it used from a neighbor.
The plug looks good, tried others, air filter is clean and the gas is fresh. Over the past few years it has just been running worse overall like it is almost sputtering out of fuel, not able to keep a nice even RPM. It seems I hear a lot of mowers in the area running the same way. In the past this means my air filter needed a quick cleaning and it was back to normal, not any more.
So I drained the gas tank, ran it dry and refilled with Non-Ethanol gas. This made zero difference. I have a few more mowers in the garage but they do not seem to want to run very well either, all have had the simple things checked.
Has the ethanol gas already done damage to the carb components or is it likely something else? Pull the head off and have a look?
Perhaps, but my 31 year-old lawn mower has had the same carb since new and has only had E10 for the past 25+ years since we've lived in an EPA nonattainment area. I've replaced the bowl gasket twice plus the little bleeder screw gasket but that's it. So I think you can get some more life out if it.So we took off the aluminum bodied carb and cleaned it out. Looked very clean but pushed through the valves and sprayed through them with carb cleaner. Also took the head off and removed a thin layer of carbon off everything. Gas tank drained and cleaned it out with water and dish soap. Rinsed completely, let it dry and put non-ethanol gas in. Started right up but still stumbles just like before we touched it today. We have tried other spark plugs in the past but it has not helped. 16 years old so I suppose the carb has worn parts and needs a rebuild or replacement.
Thank you for all of the comments.
Splitting wheels so not sure I will do anything but run it till it will not start or just collapse..
Skip carb cleaners they are to slow at working when the carb is still on the engine and don't tear down the carb until you consider to try 50/50 mix Xylene and gas or 100% Xylene If it don't run immediately better then you need to do a fuel system rebuild and maybe valve adjustments.
Yes, jets is the correct term. Cleaned but where not blocked nor seemed dirty at all.Did you try cleaning out the tiny holes in the Jet ? Those are usually what get plugged up. If that doesn't work just order a rebuild kit. I'm sure there's alot Youtube vids to help you.
One of our mowers is a standard Troy-Built walk behind 6.5 B&S. I have had it about 10 years, got it used from a neighbor.
The plug looks good, tried others, air filter is clean and the gas is fresh. Over the past few years it has just been running worse overall like it is almost sputtering out of fuel, not able to keep a nice even RPM. It seems I hear a lot of mowers in the area running the same way. In the past this means my air filter needed a quick cleaning and it was back to normal, not any more.
So I drained the gas tank, ran it dry and refilled with Non-Ethanol gas. This made zero difference. I have a few more mowers in the garage but they do not seem to want to run very well either, all have had the simple things checked.
Has the ethanol gas already done damage to the carb components or is it likely something else? Pull the head off and have a look?
This video demonstrates what people talk about when they say ethanol gums up carbs. Not even treating the E10 fuel saves it. Pretty entertaining watch.