Tractor quits while cutting grass

[Schoenherr87 3]

I am sorry if I'm posting this here, because I'm not sure what forum to look for my issue so if I could be directed to where I need to be that would be great. 

 

So with my issue, I am mowing my grass and my tractor has been running fine and cutting fine every week. Now in the middle of my grass cutting it started to bog down, normally I would stop to let it catch up being if the grass got to thick/wet. Well in this case when it bogged the motor would stop. Now I have started the tractor normally with no problems backed to where I have cut before, and ran the deck to see if it would bog out again. Surprisingly it will quit after just sitting in a spot for I'd say a minute or two. 

 

I find it strange that I don't have any clump build ups or anything to that nature. The deck is all greased all the time so the spindelsvare good. So I'm not sure on some steps to troubleshoot my problem any ideas would greatly appreciative. Thanks again.

 

To help narrow what my model is the following: 

Toro wheel horse 416-8

Model: 73420

Serial: 3900751

It's the toro power plus motor. So I belive that's the onan brand motor

[Handy Don 13,359]

Welcome to the Forum! Yes, this is the right place to post for general questions. If you had specific engine or transmission or electrical, they'd go to the other places (see the list under "Browse" on the home page.

 

Yes, also, an Onan P216 engine. Sounds to me like it's being starved for fuel. If you have a clear fuel filter on the engine, can you see fuel moving into it in "squirts" (the filter usually doesn't fill up).

Check items:

- fuel valve open fully

- cap venting (test by leaving the cap loose or off for a few minutes)

- fuel line not pinched, or cut, and no loose connections that could be letting in air

- fuel filter in the the tank not clogged

- fuel filter on the engine not clogged

 

A simple-ish test is to close the fuel petcock at the tank and then carefully remove the fuel line coming into the fuel pump (mounted on the side of the blower housing). Place the hose in a suitable container then open the fuel petcock to see that fuel flows smoothly out of that hose when held below the level of the fuel tank. CAREFULLY because: a) the nipples on the fuel pump are plastic and if you break one, it means a new pump!, and b) this is gasoline you are handling!  If good flow, then likely not clogged or pinched fuel line.

 

If it isn't one of the above, then the next thought is a bad fuel pump. You can test the fuel pump by disconnecting the hose from the pump to the engine filter, stick it in a container, then with the fuel petcock open crank the engine and see if the pump puts out fuel in spurts.

 

Lastly, a sticking needle valve or a sunken float in the carb. Much more effort to get to.

 

Good luck

Edited September 5, 2021 by Handy Don

[Lee1977 7,046]

Have you been using ethanol gas, if so that could be the cause. The ethanol will gum up a carburetor. Carburetor will need a good cleaning. Most of us here use nonethanol gas.

[Schoenherr87 3]

Thanx Handy Don I will take a look into your suggestions later this morning, and I will update my results.

 

Lee 1977, far as what gas I use is always recreational fuel. Sometimes premium will be used if the rec fuel is out at the only spot in my small town.

[Gregor 4,847]

16 hours ago, Schoenherr87 said:

Surprisingly it will quit after just sitting in a spot for I'd say a minute or two. 

Even with the deck not engaged?

[lynnmor 7,585]

18 hours ago, Schoenherr87 said:

 Surprisingly it will quit after just sitting in a spot for I'd say a minute or two.

 

Sounds like the ignition module is failing from heat.  After allowing a long cooling time, does it start and run normally for a while?

 

Make sure that the engine screen and fins are clear.  Install the grommet around the oil filter that was lost years ago.  Be sure that you have the correct oil filter so the grommet stays in place.

 

By the way, your engine will run on any fresh gas you can buy, problems arise when the engine sits for a long time.

[Schoenherr87 3]

Sorry for late response, but I had things unexpected come up as such life can be now days. With that said what I had discovered a combination of my fuel filter was gummed up some how. Don't understand, maybe just bad gas. The other part was my mower deck rusted out by a pulley where I didn't see causing a stress on the system. But hey at least it's working. Will keep an eye on it overall.

[953 nut 58,080]

36 minutes ago, Schoenherr87 said:

discovered a combination of my fuel filter was gummed up some how. Don't understand, maybe just bad gas.

If the gas you have been using has any ethanol in it that could be the problem, use this site https://www.pure-gas.org/ to find a station near you that sells ethanol-free gas.