Stalls after running

[Wheel Horse Willy 3]

Hey all!

New to the page so first, thank you for the add! I’ve been a Wheel Horse fan for over 20 years since my old neighbor and his grandfather got me hooked! After many years of searching, I finally got a hold of a real one! I did have a Toro-Wheel Horse….212-? It was a good machine but gave it to a friend for a back up. I picked up a 1988 , 252-H and it’s clean! A little rust but the red shines up nice! Everything is original. Belts, tires, bulbs….fuel line and filter have been replaced. I started cutting my lawn the day I brought it home and since my yard is a little hilly, thought maybe the sensor under the seat was the culprit for the stall but it seems to depend how warm it is out? I managed to cut the entire back yard today and just as I was pulling it into the shed, it sputtered and died. It fires right up and runs great when cold! Even seems fine after a while running but after reading a few posts, I might try to replace the spark plug. The one thing I did not check. This was an issue with a 20+ year old Echo weed wacker I had so I will try that. If anyone has any other ideas/info, I would appreciate it! Thank you and have a great evening! 

[Pullstart 62,799]

  I’m not too familiar with these vertical shaft rigs, but I’d suggest cracking the gas cap when it stalls and see if you can get it to fire back up.  That would mean a plugged vent.  Also, it could be the coil gets hot and dies too.

[953 nut 55,091]

                                 

As gas is being used a slight vacuum will develop in the fuel tank unless the vent is working, Too much vacuum and no flow of fuel.   

[edgro 677]

Also possible plugged internal screen on fuel fitting at tank. Not sure if your mower has one, I had a similar problem on a 414-8, and the screen was plugged. Replaced with unscreened fitting and external filter.

[Wheel Horse Willy 3]

11 hours ago, Pullstart said:

  I’m not too familiar with these vertical shaft rigs, but I’d suggest cracking the gas cap when it stalls and see if you can get it to fire back up.  That would mean a plugged vent.  Also, it could be the coil gets hot and dies too.

 

[Wheel Horse Willy 3]

Thank you, I will try the gas cap. 

27 minutes ago, edgro said:

Also possible plugged internal screen on fuel fitting at tank. Not sure if your mower has one, I had a similar problem on a 414-8, and the screen was plugged. Replaced with unscreened fitting and external filter.

10-4. It’s a full tank but I’ll drain down and check for a screen

[Wheel Horse Willy 3]

Thank you. I will drain the tank and check for internal screen

[Wheel Horse Willy 3]

Good stuff! Thank you all. I’ll update once I get it figured out. 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033]

You would be surprised how much junk collects in the tank in 34 years. As the fuel is being drawn into the line this junk gradually plugs the screen and will float away from the screen when flow stops.

See if gravity will completely drain the tank with a constant flow. If not time to clean.

[Pullstart 62,799]

Once again,   this is the kind of help these folks give with most every challenge working on an old tractor!  

[Wheel Horse Willy 3]

51 minutes ago, gwest_ca said:

You would be surprised how much junk collects in the tank in 34 years. As the fuel is being drawn into the line this junk gradually plugs the screen and will float away from the screen when flow stops.

See if gravity will completely drain the tank with a constant flow. If not time to clean.

I will try that as well. I guess i was just too excited to get that Wheel Horse cut in the yard and should have really gone over everything. I am the 3rd owner and it was well taken care of.