Almost got the hot seat

[Stephen Newell]

I mowed some grass today and after parking the mower for a while got to smelling gas. Seems the nitwits at Toro located the carburetor right over the exhaust pipe and this mower backfires from time to time. Something's gone wrong with the carburetor and it's leaking gas. All it would have taken is a backfire and it would have ignited the gas right under me.

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

Yeesh!

Glad you are still with us!!

Mike

 

[da.bees]

It says "Guaranteed To Start" no guarantee it doesn't explode or go up in flames.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I took my Toro back to the dealer once for that guarantee when it was hard to start. Still cost me a hundred bucks. Other than that it's still going over 15 years of mowing a three hour yard.

 

[Stephen Newell]

I took my Toro back to the dealer once for that guarantee when it was hard to start. Still cost me a hundred bucks. Other than that it's still going over 15 years of mowing a three hour yard.

This mower has always been a pain. The motor doesn't idle right, I suspect the timing because it backfires. It went back to the dealer three times before it had 8 hours on it. It seems they would just barely fix it each time so I quit taking it.

 

[Stephen Newell]

It says "Guaranteed To Start" no guarantee it doesn't explode or go up in flames.

Mine doesn't start so easy, I had to replace the starter solenoid on it twice and the last time I put an off brand solenoid on it. I figure the more Toro parts I get off of it the better.

 

[NDIHC]

I haven't heard an engine backfire in decades. I know several people with z turn toros, including my dad, and the only complaint I've heard is the herky jerky steering/drive characteristics. But then we also have a couple pretty good dealers here that seem take care their customers well.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

This mower has always been a pain. The motor doesn't idle right, I suspect the timing because it backfires. It went back to the dealer three times before it had 8 hours on it. It seems they would just barely fix it each time so I quit taking it.

I never went back for that either but I like bought a Husq lawn tractor and last year a new Toro electric from that dealer. The electric is nice just the battery doesn't last enough. The wife likes to do the yard mowing so she goes to the old one to finish. After winter storage it doesn't like to start on battery. Starts easier with the rope.

 

[ss55]

This mower has always been a pain. The motor doesn't idle right, I suspect the timing because it backfires. It went back to the dealer three times before it had 8 hours on it. It seems they would just barely fix it each time so I quit taking it.

Poor idle, backfire ( at idle ? ), ( pulls OK under load ? ) could be partially plugged idle circuit?

 

[Fred Werring]

I mowed some grass today and after parking the mower for a while got to smelling gas. Seems the nitwits at Toro located the carburetor right over the exhaust pipe and this mower backfires from time to time. Something's gone wrong with the carburetor and it's leaking gas. All it would have taken is a backfire and it would have ignited the gas right under me.

Had a Ford NAA I'd just acquired, and done a 12v conversion on. Fuel was low, so put 5 gallons of gas in the tank, and was driving when I spotted gasoline dribbling out of a pinhole in the tank right onto the alternator and exhaust. Moved pretty quick for an old fat guy getting off that tractor.

 

[Stephen Newell]

Poor idle, backfire ( at idle ? ), ( pulls OK under load ? ) could be partially plugged idle circuit?

It backfires at startup. Once running the motor doesn't run evenly, it surges and then backs off over and over.

 

[RobCons]

My first thought is its running lean. Are there adjustment screws on the carb?

 

[da.bees]

It's actually amazing there aren't more accidents involving gasoline. It has been around and in use by vast majority of people for so long it's taken for granted. A neighbor was once clean parts in his garage with gasoline and air hose. Fumes reached pilot on natural gas water heater, blew roof off and totally ingulfed house in flames. After regaining his senses he ran into burning house looking for his wife and 2 yo daughter who had already escaped to back yard. All were treated and released after spending night in hospital. How many here have preformed the same cleaning routine countless times? All it would take is right conditions and spark from compressor coming on,, KA-BOOM

 

[Esquire]

One or more of your transfer ports is plugged in the carburetor. These carburetors do not have accelerator pumps and as the load comes on, as at startup, the carburetor goes lean and causes a backfire. Look into the bore of the carb and you will see tiny holes that look like dots. Use some .012" tag wire and keep poking until you feel the blockage move. I fixed those blockages about every week from fuel varnish buildup. Carb spray doesn't work well on those ports.

 

[chuckthin]

40 years ago I was weed whacking when cap blew off gas tank and emptied whole thing in my face. So lucky it didn't ignite.

 

[Stephen Newell]

My first thought is its running lean. Are there adjustment screws on the carb?

I don't have much luck with carburetors. I would be afraid to make an adjustment on the carb. Anyway I wouldn't know what screw would make the adjustment. I don't have a repair manual.

 

[Stephen Newell]

It's actually amazing there aren't more accidents involving gasoline. It has been around and in use by vast majority of people for so long it's taken for granted. A neighbor was once clean parts in his garage with gasoline and air hose. Fumes reached pilot on natural gas water heater, blew roof off and totally ingulfed house in flames. After regaining his senses he ran into burning house looking for his wife and 2 yo daughter who had already escaped to back yard. All were treated and released after spending night in hospital. How many here have preformed the same cleaning routine countless times? All it would take is right conditions and spark from compressor coming on,, KA-BOOM

With sufficient fumes even flipping a light switch can cause ignition.

 

[Stephen Newell]

One or more of your transfer ports is plugged in the carburetor. These carburetors do not have accelerator pumps and as the load comes on, as at startup, the carburetor goes lean and causes a backfire. Look into the bore of the carb and you will see tiny holes that look like dots. Use some .012" tag wire and keep poking until you feel the blockage move. I fixed those blockages about every week from fuel varnish buildup. Carb spray doesn't work well on those ports.

I think probably the float valve is leaking causing it to leak gas externally. I'm going to have to put a kit on it when I get one and will look for the transfer port then. I bought the mower new and it's been backfiring most of the time I've had it. At present it has 72 hours on it.

 

[Mule Meat]

Every Kohler Command engine I ever saw will backfire sometimes when they are shut off hot. If I remember the manual correctly. They suggest shutting them down at about half throttle to prevent backfiring.

Results of a John Deere lawn tractor. They like to blow grass out of the front of the deck and it gets packed between the top of the deck and exhaust. If it is not cleaned off after use it can burst into flames. Ole guy here was mowing and parked his mower in a lean-to for a lunch break. A few minutes later he was cooking Mahindra for dinner.

Lost a tractor, barn, 45 rolls of hay, a bunch of tools and small equipment and his like for John Deere riding mowers.