E100 in Big Trouble...

[pjkovie]

I feel that my situation regarding this machine is displaying a major issue. I don't know how to describe it, but it seems as it is getting TOO MUCH FUEL! This machine has 67.5 hours on it and has been home serviced at recommended intervals. Last week while trying to mow, the machine ran only a few minutes, Popped (like a back-fire), shut off, and was never able to restart since. I know for an ICE to run it needs 3 main ingredients, Air, Fuel, & Spark, of which I have all 3! Here's what I've observed. 1) I pulled the plug and connected the cable to check for spark. As it was touching the muffler (for ground), I turned it over with the starter with the parking brake on. I had very good spark. 2) with the plug port open, I noticed what seemed to be an excessive amount of fuel blowing out. So much so, that I caught the machine on fire - Twice! 3) So after drying out the plug, reinstalling,& trying to restart, it never even attempts any type of ignition - nothing. I immediately pull the plug and it is soaked with fuel. I can't find any info regarding the coil on the bottom of the carburetor bowl as to what its purpose is. I haven't even been able to see how to remove the bowl to check for vanish. Maybe a needle valve that stuck open or the bowl float is stuck? I use Stabil fuel conditioner and have never had a problem with any type of buildup in any of the carburetors on my various tools. Anyhow, I removed the fuel line (which supplies plenty of flow when the engine is turned over) and the air filter and sprayed, Starter Fluid into the air intake. The engine will run as long as I can keep a steady flow going. After reattaching the fuel line, I get nothing. But I do see fuel blowing out from the air intake (which sounds like a valve problem). It would seem to me that there is some type of carburetor or maybe valve problem, but don't know. At this point, I am at a loss for what other trouble-shooting steps I could attempt..
As a bit of other info, I bought this machine used, with 9 hours on it And, every time that I have used the machine, right after initial running, there is a lot of oil smoke coming out of the exhaust for a few minutes ant then stops and runs well. I only assumed that thee is a valve seal leaking into the main cylinder.

 

[greenmachineguy761]

Sorry for this late reply. It sounds like you're dealing with carburetor flooding, which can happen if the float or needle valve gets stuck, letting in too much fuel. The coil located under the bowl is probably the fuel shut-off solenoid. It'd be a good idea to check how the float is working, along with the needle seat and valve timing, especially since you're seeing oil smoke that could suggest issues with the valve seals. Hopefully, you've been able to resolve the issue by now.

 

[the.fray]

Sounds like your carb is flooding, stuck float or needle valve and that's why fuel shoots out the plug and it only runs on starter fluid. Remove the bowl, check the float and needle; fixing that should stop the flooding and get it running normally. The brief startup smoke is probably just leftover oil, not part of this problem

 

[braxtons_]

I feel that my situation regarding this machine is displaying a major issue. I don't know how to describe it, but it seems as it is getting TOO MUCH FUEL! This machine has 67.5 hours on it and has been home serviced at recommended intervals. Last week while trying to mow, the machine ran only a few minutes, Popped (like a back-fire), shut off, and was never able to restart since. I know for an ICE to run it needs 3 main ingredients, Air, Fuel, & Spark, of which I have all 3! Here's what I've observed. 1) I pulled the plug and connected the cable to check for spark. As it was touching the muffler (for ground), I turned it over with the starter with the parking brake on. I had very good spark. 2) with the plug port open, I noticed what seemed to be an excessive amount of fuel blowing out. So much so, that I caught the machine on fire - Twice! 3) So after drying out the plug, reinstalling,& trying to restart, it never even attempts any type of ignition - nothing. I immediately pull the plug and it is soaked with fuel. I can't find any info regarding the coil on the bottom of the carburetor bowl as to what its purpose is. I haven't even been able to see how to remove the bowl to check for vanish. Maybe a needle valve that stuck open or the bowl float is stuck? I use Stabil fuel conditioner and have never had a problem with any type of buildup in any of the carburetors on my various tools. Anyhow, I removed the fuel line (which supplies plenty of flow when the engine is turned over) and the air filter and sprayed, Starter Fluid into the air intake. The engine will run as long as I can keep a steady flow going. After reattaching the fuel line, I get nothing. But I do see fuel blowing out from the air intake (which sounds like a valve problem). It would seem to me that there is some type of carburetor or maybe valve problem, but don't know. At this point, I am at a loss for what other trouble-shooting steps I could attempt..
As a bit of other info, I bought this machine used, with 9 hours on it And, every time that I have used the machine, right after initial running, there is a lot of oil smoke coming out of the exhaust for a few minutes ant then stops and runs well. I only assumed that thee is a valve seal leaking into the main cylinder.

If fuel's coming out the intake, the intake valve probably isn't sealed right. A leak-down or compression test will tell you for sure. Just adjust the valve lash if you have to, or check for carbon or bent valve stems.