Thought I was having fuel pump issues

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,956]

Last week while mowing with the 414, it began to act as though it ran out of fuel and died. Checked the tank and it was 3/4 full. So this week, I got on the tractor and tried to start it. It took a while but it did start and run fine for a while then began to chug.

Remembering what TT often advises, I went to TSC today and bought a new gas cap, running like a champ!

[rmaynard 16,343]

I bought a new OEM gas cap for my Commando 8 at the Wheel Horse show back in June. The tractor ran fine during the show, and then when I got home I parked it in the shed. I got it out this weekend to get it cleaned up for the Olde Tyme Days show next weekend and it stopped running after about 30 minutes of "playtime". I looked at the cap and it appeared to have varnish clogging the hole. I guess that with today's gas with ethanol, we are going to have a lot more clogged vents as well as gummed up carburetors.

[wallfish 18,188]

The new gas sucks! It's both a blessing and a curse for us small engine guys.

[rmaynard 16,343]

The new gas sucks! It's both a blessing and a curse for us small engine guys.

I'm not sure what the blessing is. :scratchead:

[squonk 43,899]

If your in the repair business it means a busy shop.

[rmaynard 16,343]

If your in the repair business it means a busy shop.

Never looked at it like that. Kind of like being a doctor during flu season.

[wallfish 18,188]

Or finding easy to fix equipment cheap.

[JackC 617]

<<If your in the repair business it means a busy shop. >>

One shop told me that 90% of the work they have been doing recently is cleaning carburetors.

Another shop told me they don't bother cleaning them they just replace them.

By the time they add up labor and repair kits, the replacement comes out the better deal.

[oldredrider 2,553]

I met an engine builder tonight and he said run the highest octane fuel you can find.

High octane fuel sets longer in the tanks so additives to extend it's the life are added at the refinery. Also, less ethanol is added to it.