So last time I mowed the lawn, I accidently used the wrong gas can to fill up the mower (B&S 3.5HP), I used the one w/ the 2-cycle oil in it. Mower ran pretty normal, but halfway through, it did start to blow smoke out the muffler. So that was over a month ago and I go to start it up today and can't get it to start. So I get fresh gas in it and start again. Now I can get it to run for a few seconds to 10 seconds top at a time. Seems to start a tiny bit easier w/the choke just set to above the start up setting. Still blowing smoke out the muffler, too. Is there just too much oil residue still in there to keep it from running? I got a can of carb cleaner too that I hope maybe will help clean it out. Should I spray some in the spark hole too maybe? Too top it off, I also have a Craftsmen weedtrimmer, basically a lawnmover w/a weed wacker assembly. I had used that the same day I had used the lawnmower last. Well at some point I think too much grass got wrapped around the wacker assembly b/c all of a sudden it sort of seized up and killed the motor. So I finally got to taking a look at it today and found that the plastic assembly that spins actually had melted/welded itself. Luckily I go just go to Sears and order the new parts for about $30, but jeez, can't at least one these things work :rant: .
Ok, I used to be a lawnmower man in my day. So you messed up a bit. Not quite the end of the world.... Drain the tank, pull the plug and clean it. Pu tin some normal 110 octane ( thats what I run in my mower) and you should be good to go. It might take some run time to clear it out, but you shouldn't have to much trouble.
I also ran different gas in mine and it wouldn't start up the next time I used it. I work on the side for a senior NCO who has an aviation business on the side and he told me to use some aviation gas when I ran out mowing around his hangar. Basically I drained the rest of the gas out, replaced the air filter and cleaned the spark plug(fouled badly) and it cranked right up with some 93 octane. Just a suggestion.
Okay, I was able to sort of mow some of the lawn. Basically it now runs, but with the air filter housing not screwed down. If I screw it down, it dies. Also, I have to constantly lift it up, otherwise it starts to sputter and dies. I don't know too much on lawnmowers and this one came w/the house. At least I got the area around the front of the house.
Clean the air filter or replace it.. I will usually soak mine in a bit of gas, ring it out good, let it dry and good to go..
