Honda Mower Problem.

[Rowan]

My Honda izy mower is in date for its service and it starts fine, the problem is that it will only run for about 45 seconds before dying. It will restart immediately but, again, will only run briefly before dying. I've filled the tank with fresh fuel, the fuel tap is ON, the oil level is OK and the air filter is clean. Has anyone got any idea what is causing this and how to fix it?

[ruonglue]

sounds like a carburettor problem. disassemble and clean out all the jets.

[f1steveuk]

Sounds like one of a couple of things, if it's not an auto choke, it sounds like the choke is left closed, meaning it's running to rich and flooding, either that or the jets in the carb are blocked, or there is an in line filter (or one on the tap inside the tank) blocked.

If it's an auto choke, take a look at that, manual choke, is the linkage connected properly, and opening and closing correctly? If it's the jets, there should be a drain plug on the float bowl, and you may have to take the carb off, being very careful as there's a fair few small parts in there, it then needs a good clean. Check the fuel pipes for an in line filter, which might need cleaning out. If it's the one in the tank, you need to drain the tank.

As a complete outside guess, some Hondas have a safety cut off, in case it tips over, but that is unlikely!

[cheminot]

Before you remove the carburettor, take off the fuel pipe from it and check the flow of fuel from the tank. The fuel line or tap may be partially blocked.

cheminot

[thunderhorse]

My petrol Hayter and chainsaw had the same problem of starting fine, running for a while, then dying. In both cases it was the rubber diaphragm in the carb.

[Rowan]

Thanks to everyone. It was the float bowl in the carb (or something like that, so my husband tells me). All sorted out now!