QuestionQUESTION: I have a Craftsman push mower with Honda GCV160 engine. It has
been trouble free for approx 7 years but now fouls the plug
completely before I am 1/2 done mowing. I can clean the plug and
it starts right up and runs well for the remainder of the yard.
I cut with the grass wet and afterwards tip the mower up on the
side to remove the grass from underneath - could that cause a problem? Thanks for your help.
ANSWER: That could cause a problem. It would be better to put the mower up on saw horses or at least tip it backwards.
Have you replaced the air filter lately? Is there any smoking? Thanks, PK.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The air filter has been replaced and is in good shape.
There is some lite smoke when you speed up but you have
to look close to see it. With a clean spark plug it will
run good for 20 minutes getting progresively rougher. The
spark plug will be then be completely covered with black soot - it comes
off easily and then the whole process starts over again. The gas
is new without ethanol although some previous gas did have ethanol.
AnswerIt sounds like you have a carburetor in need of a rebuild or replacement. You should smell your oil for any gas odor. If there is, change it.
It's also possible the choke isn't opening all the way as well. After the engine has warmed up, pull the air filter and see if the choke is fully open while the engine is running. If it's not, then you'll probably need to replace the auto choke. Thanks, PK.
