Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I recently bought a used, late model McLane reel mower.  The B&S engine sometimes surges up and down.  When it does this, I can see the arm that the idle screw is attached to moving back and forth.  The former owner said it would happen to him, but he said after letting it idle for 10 minutes or so, it would stop, and be o.k. unless he didn't use the mower for a while.  He said something about the carburater bowl needing to be primed and that would fix it?  How do I do that?  He thought maybe the gasoline in it had evaproated due to being shipped to me in an open air trailer.  Any advice/ideas would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Kurt

Kurt - the surging (also called hunting) is caused by a lean fuel condition. If there is a mixture screw on the carb, turn it counterclockwise 1/4 to 1/2 turn & see if the hunting stops. If not, try one full turn counterclockwise. If that doesn't work, the carb needs to be removed, disassembled, cleaned out & reassembled with a rebuild kit.

Marty

Thanks Marty.  Turned it about 1/4 turn and that fixed it right up.

Kurt