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Hustler won't start. At my wits end!

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smileydrug

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi All,

I have a Hustler Mini Fastrak with 17hp Kohler Courage. Mower was running fine until about 2 weeks ago. Got bad gas and it died in the yard. Disengaged the hydros and push it to the patio (not fun). Pull the carb and was filled with sludge. Needle valve appeared bent. Cleaned the tanks, replaced the carb and spark plug. Engine will turn over, but not fire.

I pulled the plug and am getting spark. Can put fuel directly into the cylinder and it will fire. Checked the float and is getting fuel. Fuel solenoid disengaging with key turn. What else could it be????

Thanks
 
#2 ·
smileydrug said:
Hi All,

I have a Hustler Mini Fastrak with 17hp Kohler Courage. Mower was running fine until about 2 weeks ago. Got bad gas and it died in the yard. Disengaged the hydros and push it to the patio (not fun). Pull the carb and was filled with sludge. Needle valve appeared bent. Cleaned the tanks, replaced the carb and spark plug. Engine will turn over, but not fire.

I pulled the plug and am getting spark. Can put fuel directly into the cylinder and it will fire. Checked the float and is getting fuel. Fuel solenoid disengaging with key turn. What else could it be????

Thanks
Click to expand...
Reversed wiring to solenoid?
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
Polarity not reversed. Pulled the solenoid to check. Getting good spark (will jump 8mm). Checked fuel pump and it "spurts" gas, so I thought maybe not enough flow. Gravity fed gas to the carb, but still no luck. I'm sure it's something really simple that I'm overlooking, but for the life of me, can't figure out!!:hammerhead:
 
#6 ·
Keep it simple first. Check your tank and see if the outlet is covered in grass and debris. Then fuel filter (I think this is your problem). Then all fuel lines into carb. Then do a carb rebuild. If your getting spark it is not getting fuel.

2 reasons the mower won't start. Fuel and ignition. If you have spark you have ignition and no fuel. If you have no spark it is the ignition.

Ignition can be a lot of things but fuel is pretty simple. You are either out of fuel, not getting fuel to the carb, or have plugged jets.
 
#7 ·
KrashnKraka said:
Cranks but wont fire, right?
Got spark at plug electrode and fuel to float
bowl, after solenoid, right?

Yer carb internals are blocked.
Pull the carb, dismantle and blow down all circuits
with jets, speed screws etc out of the body.

Trust that helps some.
Click to expand...
He replaced the carb so that shouldn't be the issue
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Brand new Walbro LMK carb, fuel lines, and filter. Nothing left in the manifold. Blew out the passages with carb cleaner prior to install. Will do it again for S&Gs, but the jet is non-removable on this carb. Fuel appears to be getting to the cylinder based on the smell of the plug. So what's next to check???
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Quick update. I pulled the fuel line from the pump to the carb and attached a syringe filled with gas. Pushed the plunger of the syringe while cranking and it fired! Thinking fuel pump? It is pumping, but in "spurts". Does anyone know what the fuel flow should look like on a vacuum fuel pump? Thanks.
 
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smileydrug
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