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| hiya! i know nothing of these matters so thought i'd turn to you kind folks.
we have an Ariens model 93604200 riding tractor from Home Depot. it's only about 2 1/2 years old and has been used maybe 20 times if that. not sure if the warranty is 2 or 3 years. i'm getting conflicting info. my luck, it's probably past the warranty lol. it turns over fine but won't start. the fuel filter (small clear plastic cylinder w/ fan shaped filter inside) looks a lil dirty but not bad, and it is getting fuel into it. took those hoses off and the filter and blew thru all of them. seem open. the air filter is clean, and the oil soaked flat pad filter below that is a bit dirty but again, not filthy. we replaced 1 spark plug but i'm not seeing an arc. just noticed there's another spark plug on opposite side of engine. haven't replaced it yet. not sure if there's a fuel pump in this. the gas tank is higher than the fuel filter, but then the hoss go UP into the engine, so i'm thinking there is a fuel pump. anyway, if i remove the air filter and pad, and spray Starting fluid down into the openings, it will start right up, but after it's shut off it will NOT start again without spraying starter fluid back down into it. not exactly sure what that means. i'm guessing the spark plugs are good since there must be a spark that starts it. but since the starting fluid makes it start, does that mean the carburetor is stuck or perhaps the fuel pump is not working?
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by bill_kapaun Z8 Orygun (My Page) on Mon, Sep 10, 12 at 15:20
| Well, since it's an engine problem you might tell us WHAT engine it has. BRAND -- Model -- Type/spec |
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- Posted by mookeylama (My Page) on Tue, Sep 11, 12 at 19:09
| hmm, and here i thought i was giving enough info. sorry. but as i stated in the begining of my post, i know very little about this. also i won't be home to look at the engine for a few days. but i did find stuff by searching the model number i gave... parts list... http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Ariens-Parts/Ri ding-mower-tractor-Parts/Model-93604200/3071/1509200 from what i remember the engine is a Briggs & Stratton. maybe 20hp... lotsa stuff... |
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| Looks to be a Briggs from your description and the C/R chart. You would seem to have spark if the starter fluid makes it want to run up. It would have a fuel pump. That is the round thing near the valve cover w/ 3 hoses coming out of it. Water in fuel perhaps? There is a small electrical solenoid attached to the bowl of the carburetor in front. If you were to switch the key on/off- does it click? Places to start anyways. |
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- Posted by mookeylama (My Page) on Wed, Sep 12, 12 at 13:35
| thank you Tom for your reply! yeah the strange thing w/ the Starter fluid is i thought usually an engine would only run a short while until the fluid burned off? but w/ just a short spray, this mower ran for a long time. it ran setting for about 10 minutes, then i even rode it around about 1/4 acre. didn't engage blades tho. but it ran for like 20 minutes until i finally shut it off. but then wouldn't start again. won't start after cooling off either (hours-days). |
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| I best read closer the next time. Yes, if it would ONLY run on starting fluid- then I would think something like water in the fuel. I assume that when it runs that all sounds normal? No abnormal emissions? Maybe run the deck up next time and see if the power seems normal or not.My first two thoughts would be to verify that the choke is working and fuel is reasonably fresh. Fresh as in like within a couple of months from purchase? Let's start there. |
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- Posted by mookeylama (My Page) on Fri, Sep 21, 12 at 14:37
| welp. we thought we had it fixed. used the Starter fluid to get it running, then periodically would spray Carb cleaner into it every few minutes. cut my entire 1/2 acre lot like this. stopping every 15 mins or so to spray in some carb fluid. then shut it down, and let it cool off for couple hours. and then it started right up. so we cut my neighbor's 1/3 acre lot lol. did not stop to spray any fluids this time, and had the air filters and cover back on. again, i shut it down for hours and it would still start. seemed fixed. 3 days later, it's back to the same thing. won't start without starter fluid. could it be some sorta sticky residue that loosens up when it's running and hot. but then dries when cooled down, and sticks the carburetor shut? |
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| Add a few ounces of Seafoam to both the oil and fuel then run it up for a spell and see if your theory is correct. Again, be sure fuel is fresh. Fuel pump could be suspect. Engine #s could help. |
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| I have an Ariens lawn tractor (model 93604200) that is doing the exact same thing. Won't start when cold. I can prime it with some gas or starter fluid, it will start and run fine. As long as the engine is still warm, it will start back up. After it sits and gets cold, it will not. Spark is fine. Please post back if you find out what's wrong with yours, and I will do likewise! |
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- Posted by mookeylama (My Page) on Wed, Oct 10, 12 at 23:53
| so sorry to hear that Kenny! maybe we'll get somewhere w/ this. Tom, could not find numbers on engine. i read that they should be on top side of square silver thing mounted on side of engine. nothing i can find. but a service rep said it's this... Model #406777-1404-G1 Briggs & Stratton Engine http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/BRIGGS-STRATTON -Parts/All-Products-Parts/Model-4067771404G1/1245/1503500?pathTaken=&p rst=0&shdMod=406777-1404-G1 i tried the Seafoam 2 different times. start w/ starting fluid, run around 1/2 yard for 40 minutes, but unlike the 1st time which started again after turning off (even an hour later), these times it would not start right after shutting down. don't think it's flue pump either as i bought new fuel filter and when changing, fuel came out both sides of tube. also after filter installed it filled up rapidly w/ gas after tractor started (w/ spray). gawd just hope the engine doesn't need a total rebuild or something! |
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| If tractor runs with starting fluid I would doubt that an engine rebuild is necessary. I am not familiar with that engine, but looking at the carb in the link you posted it has a main jet inside the bowl of the carb. If the gas was old and sitting in can or tractor, I would disassemble the carb and spray it with carb cleaner ( not starting fluid). Gas will turn to varnish like when it sits and gum up jets. Spray all holes(jets) and make sure nothing is blocked. Clean the bowl itself and the needle value that is connected to the float. Take care removing parts and remove over clean work surface to not loose parts. Make sure the control cables are put back. 2) You mentioned that the air filter was covered in oil. If this is a paper element, replace it. I had a honda engine that ran very rich and finally replace the oily filter(even thou it looked clean) and it ran like a champ. 3) General rules -- engine needs two things to run, spark an gas. you have eliminated spark, hence I strongly feel you should check the carb, since you have already checked hose. Good luck. |
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