sounds like a Harley

[Toy2]

Help, washed my Toro 36'' after mowing, started the 13 kawi and at low RPM it sounds like a freckin' Harley, as if its running out of gas.....

Replaced the fuel filter
Pulled the plugs..cleaned and put back.

Drained the little bit of gas in the tank.

Put fresh fuel, started it up and it sounded normal for about a minute and back to the Harley sound,,,,,Help me please,,,,

[MowerMedic77]

Spray some Fluid Film or WD-40 into the spark plug boots or even better is Dielectric Grease.

[Toy2]

Did the wd40, nothing.....I removed the boots and hit them with air, and wiped the inside with a Q-tip.....seemed to help for about a minute.....totally stumped....

THe same thing happened a month ago, just replaced the fuel filter and worked perfect.

[tedfrk]

what does it do if you run it at higher rpm??it's never a good idea to wash your mower just after you get done mowing,the engine is to hot and if you hit it with water it will cool off to fast,your just asking for trouble.

[Toy2]

High RPM's are fine, as I lower the throttle it starts the "Harley" sound, as if it is starving for fuel or a mis somewhere......I might get some new plugs and see what that does. I just pulled the ones and brushed them....

I pulled the air cleaner out, looked inside the carb, looks normal, with the air cleaner off it still runs the same, plus its a new cleaner.????

Really don't want to take it to the dealer, it might end up in the shop for weeks....

[tedfrk]

did you check the gap on the spark plugs? are you getting spark to both cylinders?

[Toy2]

Replaced the spark plugs, also drained the bottom of the carb just in case I had some water in there.

Started up.....good for a minute, then back to the same.....it has to be something minor....

It will cut at high RPM, I guess I can just adjust the throttle screw to a higher RPM....and see what happens...Thanks for input.

[Toy2]

I wonder if its the fuel pump?

I might just take the entire fuel system out and clean it with air, not sure what else to do..

[tedfrk]

Definately sounds like a fuel problem,because it ran fine as soon as you started it but then as soon as the fuel in the carb was used it did not run right,if that model has a fuel pump i'd check that out.

[Toy2]

Thanks, it appears it does have one....will replace and see what happens.

[SLR]

Are you certain one of the coils isn't damaged from hot-to-cold /water so quickly.Perhaps now when it approaches regular engine temp one of them starts crapping out?.

[DaughtryLC]

You got some water in something, sounds like to me! Spray every connection with WD-40, It will run out any moisture!

[Toy2]

Took the day off to work on this thing.....

1st....Started it because it sat all night, maybe dryed out...wrong...
2nd...pulled all the fuel lines off and hit with air.....nothing..
3rd...pulled the small fuel pump, hit with air.....nothing
4th....put the small hose back into the carb and hit with air....nothing
5th....pulled the housing and checked on the coils, a little rust...hit with WD...reassembled.........nothing....

6th....drained the bowl again, removed the hose between the fuel pump and carb....to drain some fuel....

7th......Started the damn thing and...............................the freckin' thing sounds perfect........?????? Took about an hour for all the above.....plus I stopped by Texas Mower parts and picked up a new pump and filter just to have on hand......think I'll stop washing it.....thanks for all your help...time for a beer!!!!

[BigGreen1]

When I wash my toro with kaw 12.5 If i get water i the tube hanging off carb
it will idle roughly. It is normally just a drop. I will knock the drop out and it idles fine. The 24 hour thing is slightly interesting.

Tim

[kayeproperties]

a dealer told me a long time ago to quit washing my mowers that I was doing more damage than good. Dirty lawn mowers arent a problem but when you wash the dirt into the spindle seals or wherever the dirty water can find a crack or get the coils wett or he had a list. They might be dirtier now but I think its better.

[Toy2]

Think I will wash just the deck, and blow everything else off.....plus while messing with everything I managed to bend the screen filter inside the tank...(don't ask)......I did order another one....its still running strong....just not worth the hassle trying to figure out the problem....Thanks to everyone for the troubleshooting tips....

What gets me is mowers that get alot of rain on them????

[mowerknower]

If you take your blower too the machine everyday and take the shroud off weakly to blow out cooling fins then washing is no needed but if you fall behind you will need to presure wash it.