wheel horse runs then dies

[Joplin 0]

Have a wheel horse 314 8 speed. Ran then would quit, but had gas and spark. 

Ran good when it ran.seems like an electrical issue. Can i disconnnect some stuff to manually start it, and bypass any cutoffs? Or switchs that may be bad?.

[rmaynard 15,434]

Might be a clogged gas cap vent. Next time it stops, loosen the cap and see if that corrects the problem.

[953 nut 55,155]

3 hours ago, Joplin said:

Can i disconnnect some stuff to manually start it, and bypass any cutoffs? Or switchs that may be bad?.

    Can you, yes! Should you remove safety switches, absolutely not! I had the same problem with my 312-8 a few years back and a new fuel cap cured it. If the vent isn't working a vacuum develops in the tank as fuel is removed.

[neil 2,409]

I have a similar problem with my c81 , difficult starting, runs & drives for a while then dies , then difficult to start again ,, my first port of call was to check the small filter in the gas tank which on inspection was clogged with rust  so removed the filter and it did run a little better so I'm now guessing that the problem may be the lift pump diaphragm may be worn and is no pulling enough fuel through .

i don't know if this would be a similar problem that you have or whether yours is electrical issues but it's worth looking into .

i removed the small bung tap from the fuel tank under seat 

good luck 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Does is stop like you turned the key off or like it ran out of gas?  Die instantly or sputter a few and then croak?

 

Instantly suggests electrical, either spark or a safety switch.  Sputters suggests fuel.  The fact that it will start again suggest starving for fuel somehow.

Edited June 8, 2017 by DennisThornton

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

My 125-8 is doing this now

 

Seems like it's ignition issue, but fuel visible in filter seems slow to fill and its happening at high revs. Choke keeps it going for a little longer.

 

Will pull the carb and see if it's full of gunk.

 

Always happens just as I'm about to head away for 2 weeks.

[953 nut 55,155]

Check the vent in your fuel cap. As gas is being removed from the tank a slight vacuum will be created inside the tank if it is not vented. Remove enough gas and the fuel flow stops.

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

Will try that, it's fine messing about with the trailer, problem only seems to happen when mowing - hopefully it's that simple. Thanks 👍 

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

Took carb off, all clean, put it back on with fuel cap off, same problem.

 

Turned engine over with carb off to check pump and it pumped fuel out no problem at all.

 

Just dies after a few minutes.

 

Must be electrical

 

 

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

Watching it run this morning, goes for about 2 minutes at full throttle then surges and dies.

 

The clear fuel filter is full at the start, then empties followed by the surge. After a few minutes with engine off the filter fills again.

 

There is already quite a bit of crud in the new filter, so that might be the problem. Trying to find another one at the moment, it's packed in a box somewhere!!

[lynnmor 7,303]

57 minutes ago, Dan.gerous said:

Watching it run this morning, goes for about 2 minutes at full throttle then surges and dies.

 

The clear fuel filter is full at the start, then empties followed by the surge. After a few minutes with engine off the filter fills again.

 

There is already quite a bit of crud in the new filter, so that might be the problem. Trying to find another one at the moment, it's packed in a box somewhere!!

 

Sounds like you need to flush the fuel tank and then replace the fuel hoses and filter.  Also, check your gas can for crud.

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

9 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

 

Sounds like you need to flush the fuel tank and then replace the fuel hoses and filter.  Also, check your gas can for crud.

It has new fuel lines, tap and filter but yes, there must be something in the tank - carburetor was clean as well.

 

It just looks like it is starving itself, won't start immediately after stopping, but I think that's due to the fuel being all used up in the lines. Away tomorrow so probably won't be able to get the tank off until I get back, but at least its a simple enough task.

 

Hate having to use the hand mower, and no other wheelhorses on the property anymore!

 

 

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

Managed to get half an hour free, fuel tap completely blocked with sediment. Got it off, blew out with air, did a temporary quick clean of tank and threw it all back together.

 

Mowed top lawn without missing a beat  👌 😁

 

Poor little machine, it gets so frustrating sometimes when they don't run properly  - but it's always something simple.

 

Right, got to mow bottom lawn then take our big feed trailer apart. Already put new kickboards in kitchen, hung a door, fixed another door and packed some more stuff.

 

Last day home is always busy - car loaded as well