I have a Yard Machines by MTD, 638 RL, Model 13A1762F, 13.5 HP, Tecumseh engine. Yesterday, after using it without incident, it died while putting it away. The engine turns over, there is fresh gas in the tank. The spark plug fires and a shot of starting fluid in the carb does nothing. Any ideas?
Garden - Yard Machines - 155 Torque Briggs Stratton Riding Lawn Mower (NonCARB...
Answers & Comments
Recently had same problem with this machine with a Tecumseh 17.5hp. There is a solenoid on the bottom of the fuel bowl that controls fuel flow inside the carb. It is controlled by the ignition switch. Mine got stuck in the closed position. I could not find a replacement, so a small engine mechanic told me I could disable this by removing the solenoid and cutting off the pin. This worked for me. Then, for safety, put a fuel cutoff valve in the fuel line.
Hope this helps.
Hank in Marietta, GA
Sounds like you need the carb cleaned. This can be a pretty tedious job. It's easier with small engines but still risky. If you have a lot of mechanical experience I would go for it, but if not you should take it into a repair shop. http://www.bensalemlawn.com
Air is not getting into the engine, clean the air filter. Or it may be due to a fuel blockage in the pipe. I would clean the air filter and the carberator.
First try just the air filter, you may just get away with it ey! Won't be too much work.
Take care!
damnor01
Did it possibly shear the flywheel key?which would throw it out of time,remove the top cover and see if the key is sheared off by removing the flywheel
also what color is the spark ? blue or dull orange?and is it a large healthy spark at the spark plug?,possible the ignition module is getting weak or its ground is bad due to a rusty high resistance connection, check this also as grounds are important in ignition systems too or the flywheel is just rusty enough to limit the pick-up modules signal,check the flywheel for rust also,and kill or distort the spark impulse signal too