Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): lawn mower loss of power, toro riding mower, filter belts


Question
QUESTION: have a 2003 toro riding lawn mower that turns on a dime i used to be able to go thru a hugh amount of grass without a problem today i bogged done and had to inch my way thru it changed the air filter oil and filter belts spark plug it had been running really good this summer till this happened it seems like a loss of power whenever it hits a load the governor seems to be working and i have good compression gas is new any other ideas that i could check? thankskcfy

ANSWER: What is the Toro model number of your mower?  The mower model number is located on a sticker usually under the seat or rear fender.  The model number format will be a 5 diget number.

Let me know.
Eric

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QUESTION: 2003 toro riding mower that turns on a dime model #74330 16 hp compression was 130 plugs looked good carb rebuilt last year and ran good after rebuilt new filters and belts start cold can't shift in blades because it will kill the engine after it gets a little hot can shift blades high grass we have to slow to a crawl to get thru what do i need to check further tech told me that the governor was working but it doesn't seem to get a high idle to get thru high grass seems like a loss of power sorry i forgot the model # thanks for any advice

ANSWER: You can find manuals at this link:

https://homeownersolutions.toro.com/portal/server.pt/community/product_center/225#drawingResultPage

Just type in you model number.

As for the loss of power, have you checked the valve clearance?  If the clearance is off check to make sure the push rods are not bent.  Rolling the push rods on a piece of glass is a good method to check for straightness.

http://engines.myfaqcenter.com/Answer.aspx?p_faqid=3441&body_0$tbKeyword=valve

If the valve clearance is fine then I'd start by removing, dis-assembling and cleanin the carb with compressed air from an air compressor.  There may be something in the carb partially blocking the high speed circuit.  FYI, the high speed circuit only delivers fuel when the governor opens the throttle butterly, pretty far open.  Otherwise, the low speed circuit supplies most of the fuel which explains why it runs fine without a load.

Let me know what the valve clearance is.
Eric

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QUESTION: intake is 004 and exhaust is 006 do i need to check the linkage on carb which seems alright? the hotter it is it seems to run better? thanks for any advice ?

Answer
Yes, check the carb linkage to make sure it is not binding.  If the engine is still low on power, and the valves checked good, the next thing I would do is remove, dis-assemble and clean the carb with compressed air from an air compressor.  Blow air through all the carb orfices to make sure they are clean.

Have you check You Tube for videos on cleaning mower carbuertors?  The task is not very difficult and if you take digital pictures as you remove and dis-assemlbe the carb it will make putting it back together much easier.

Do you have an air compressor?

Eric