Sovereign XSS40A Lawnmower - Starts but dies

[Kamdeux]

Am new to Petrol mowers but bought this at a good price last year, used it fine last summer then put it away with fuel in. Took it out a few days back and I could not get it to start, I have since replaced the fuel with fresh and cleaned up the spark plug plus taken the carb off to clean it and blew compressed air through the jet.

Mower now fires up 1st pull but then dies out, if I press the bulb a few times then I can start it up again but it dies out again. Can anyone suggest further troubleshooting steps?

In addition now the bulb if pressed in stays in but I do not know if this is just poor timing or in some way related.

I've attached some pics of how the springs and screws are currently set on the mower, any help would be greatly appreciated as frustration levels are peaking.

 

[Burnerman]

Firstly, the primer bulb must fill back up with air.....all it does is to blow a blast of air across the main jet, therefore blowing fuel into the engine.
How far have you got with the carb dismantling...have you removed the float bowl?
John

 

[conny]

Check your plug gap. Cleaning it may have altered the gap. I think it should be around 0.6-0.7mm

 

[Kamdeux]

Thanks for the replies.

I have removed the float bowl, I blew compressed air through the jet to try and clear whatever may have possibly been blocking it. I've taken the carb off again now as I am off to the garage tomorrow to check on my project car's progress so will see if they have some carb cleaner and as conny suggested I'll see if they have a gauge so I can check the plug gap as it was full of crud before so I spent a while on it cleaning it up before.

I'll report back once I've had a chance to put it all back and give it another go.

 

[Burnerman]

The main jet and emulsion tube needs to be blown out too.....they can't be cleaned in situ. At the same time the float needle valve needs to be checked.
If you have any doubts about the plug, best to pop in a new one.
John

 

[Kamdeux]

Thanks again for all of the advice, much appreciated.

I went to the garage and had the carb sprayed with cleaner and the spark plug gapped to 0.51 got home reassembled and still had the same problem.

As per Burnerman's recommendation I took the carb apart a little further and found a nozzle coated in white gunk, a liberal spraying of carb cleaner over that and anywhere else on the carb that I could find after which I put it together again, primed it and it then fired and ran smoothly. I've finally been able to mow the lawn/jungle and will make a note to run it dry come end of season.

I've attached a few pics in case it helps someone else who may have a similar issue.

 

[Burnerman]

Thanks for the update!
Despite all ‘old codger’ advice, theres still nothing like fuse wire (if you can get it) for cleaning jets!
John