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Lawn Boy Silver Series 4.5hp Self-propelled problems

phototone
13 years ago

I have a Lawn Boy Silver Series 4.5hp self-propelled mower that is hard to start, and once running, runs fine for a while and then eventually stops. It appears to overheat, if that is possible. No fan/flywheel shrouds are missing..and I have replaced the coil, which I was told is an issue with these mowers. I have several Lawn-boy Silver Series mowers, and I use the correct oil and gas mix that works fine in all the other mowers. Exhaust ports are good and clear. Any clues? Could this be a "too lean" condition due to wear on the plastic carb?

Comments (9)

  • rustyj14
    13 years ago

    I had one of those, with almost the same problems! Here's how i solved the problem: I backed my truck up to a hillside of my front lawn, carefully pushed that durned mower into the truck, drove to the local scrap yard, and made it a present to them, free and clear! Problem solved!
    By: Rusty J. who hates Lawn boys!

  • phototone
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    Well, the problem I have with YOUR solution, is that I can't replace it with anything as light in weight, and I have to lift the mower up over retaining walls, and up steps, and over ledges to get to the yards I mow. Nothing I own is on flat land. No modern 4-cycle mower is light enough for me to handle. I have to keep my old Lawn-Boys running.

  • indy452
    13 years ago

    Wow, well...not sure where to start with that. You mention its hard to start....hows the plug look? Is it the proper plug? CJ14 or equivalent set at 0.035"?

    Did you set the gap on the newer coil at 0.010" between the flywheel and coil?

    Is there any debris caught in the cooling fins and in the shroud causing undue heat?

    Any string wrapped around the crank/blade area?

  • lbpod
    13 years ago

    Check to see if your primer plunger is working.
    I had that problem on my Silver and found the
    primer plunger was cracked. New ones are not expensive
    and readily available. I need to pump mine about
    7 to 10 times and then it starts on the first pull.

  • phototone
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    It has a new primer bulb and base, no string wrapped around blade, or shaft. Correct plug..plug looks lean. No debris under shroud..in fact a new shroud. Its not only somewhat hard to start initially, but after a while it just won't run, and it appears to be too hot.

  • orangedotfever
    13 years ago

    Is your fuel tank venting properly?

  • phototone
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    I think the fuel tank is venting properly. I have several caps. I have tried removing the cap and replacing it, and even if the vent was clogged, that should have temporarily solved the issue, but it didn't. I have several caps, (several mowers) and I can always substitute one from a known working mower, but I believe the cap vent is open..

  • nicolegipson
    10 years ago

    I have same mower and same problems about to sell it online now!

  • 1saxman
    10 years ago

    Since this never got resolved, I was just curious - when it stops and appears to be hot, does it still pull about the same when you're trying to start it or does it seem to be nearly stuck? If it still pulls freely, it's probably not severely overheated. The spark plug in that 'V' engine should be black, not look like it was in a 4-cycle. 'V' engines should be set-up to run 'rich' like the legendary Lawn-Boys.
    I would look for an air leak in the intake tract, like at the carb base. It might show up more when the mower gets hot. With the mower running, Spray WD-40 on the suspected areas to see if you hit the air leak - the engine will change when you do.
    Another prime suspect will be the crankshaft seals. These mowers were old even in 2010 when this thread started and they should have had these seals and possibly the lower bearing replaced already. A 2-cycle has to have a sealed crankcase to run. It gets pressurized when the piston goes down and it draws a vacuum when the piston goes up. If a seal leaks, the engine will tend to 'lean-out' or not run at all. Along those lines, the crankcase is in two parts with a sealant in the parting line. That could leak too. At least with the 'V', you don't have to worry about the head gasket - the head/cylinder is one-piece. But check the threads in the spark plug hole to make sure it's not sucking air there.
    That's about all I have except for possible scored/burnt cylinder/piston.