TG1860G weird engine running

[FiveOrangesH14]

A couple days ago it was working completely fine and idling after I cleaned the carb. Fast forward a few days and now it runs horrible. I have removed the carb some 5 or 6 times to reclean and make sure I haven't missed something and made sure I didn't mess up something with the governor. I checked for spark on both sides and both show good clean spark with both cylinders being able to run without the other, smoother even (with roughness from being down a cylinder). Valves were adjusted in case that was an issue. Fuel tank was drained and lightly refilled. Is this a fuel issue of some sort? I am getting a new carb to see if it does anything but I am really starting to think its a fuel pump issue with this FD590V-ES08. The idle is different to surging, more inconsistent but jumps less. It has split inconsistent moments where it cuts off and then revs back up, but it dies at the bottom of its idle and is about 500 RPM below its specified maximum rev. Any help?

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

Some photos of the machine I forgot to link.

 

[rudder35]

Ethanol gas is hyroscopic and grabs water out of the air. If enough water gets in the gas there will be a phase change and will make the symptoms you are describing. I have found that Seafoam really helps with this. Non ethanol gas and Seafoam and just let the machine idle for a while.

The best way to clean a carb is to get a gallon of carb cleaner and let the carb soak overnight and then blow out with air. Since carb cleaner is a solvent it doesn't go bad.

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

Ethanol gas is hyroscopic and grabs water out of the air. If enough water gets in the gas there will be a phase change and will make the symptoms you are describing. I have found that Seafoam really helps with this. Non ethanol gas and Seafoam and just let the machine idle for a while.

The best way to clean a carb is to get a gallon of carb cleaner and let the carb soak overnight and then blow out with air. Since carb cleaner is a solvent it doesn't go bad.

So to elaborate on what you are saying, the ethanol-gas I reput into the tank is grabbing water already and messing up with my carb?

 

[rudder35]

So to elaborate on what you are saying, the ethanol-gas I reput into the tank is grabbing water already and messing up with my carb?

It may have water in it or some was left in the tank. It will grab water over time.

 

[Russell King]

I believe the recommendation is to get known good non-ethanol fuel into it and see if it clears up the problem.

You can get ”engineered fuel” at the Home Depot or power equipment store but that is really expensive fuel. Here (in Texas) you can get non-ethanol fuel at some gas stations but not all have it.

Looking at this site

Pure-gas.org - ethanol-free gasoline in the U.S. and Canada

Pure-gas.org is the definitive web site listing stations that sell pure gasoline in the U.S. and Canada.

www.pure-gas.org

I located some in your city

I would drain the fuel you have out, get a couple of gallons of pure gasoline into a clean container and see if it will clear the issue and post back the results.

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

I believe the recommendation is to get known good non-ethanol fuel into it and see if it clears up the problem.

You can get ”engineered fuel” at the Home Depot or power equipment store but that is really expensive fuel. Here (in Texas) you can get non-ethanol fuel at some gas stations but not all have it.

Looking at this site

Pure-gas.org - ethanol-free gasoline in the U.S. and Canada

Pure-gas.org is the definitive web site listing stations that sell pure gasoline in the U.S. and Canada.

www.pure-gas.org

I located some in your city
View attachment 144956
I would drain the fuel you have out, get a couple of gallons of pure gasoline into a clean container and see if it will clear the issue and post back the results.

I think I will try it! Should I put it into the mowers fuel tank after I re-drain it or hook it up directly to the fuel line? Also how is the best way to completely drain the tank? I don't want to remove the tank if I don't have to.

 

[Russell King]

I think I will try it! Should I put it into the mowers fuel tank after I re-drain it or hook it up directly to the fuel line? Also how is the best way to completely drain the tank? I don't want to remove the tank if I don't have to.

I assume there is a fuel line out of the tank that you could drain it out of. There may be a drain port on the bottom of the carburetor to drain the bowl. I think I would just siphon (Don’t use any electric drill pumps or anything like that) old gas out of the tank using a jiggler siphon (search internet for example), assuming the tank is one simple container and not several compartments. You can burn that in your car.

I would just put the new gas into the mower tank. Messing around with gasoline is never a good idea so just keep it simple.

Let it run for some time to get the old fuel out of the lines and carburetor before making the decision on help or not.

Good luck

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

I got some non-ethanol fuel from one of the gas stations listed and seafoam. I drained the tank and lines and carb so now I am addding a gallon of gas with seafoam to see if it improves.

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

It has been idling for about 30 minutes and it does seem to have minor my smoothen out it’s rpm but I am still missing 500 RPM at the top and it still has tiny moments of its RPM cutting. Any idea why it may be?

Actual RPM is half of the tach. Don’t have the proper tool for this job so making do with what I have.

 

[arml]

Is it using an electric solenoid installed on the carb?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

drain tank, put gallon of winter WW fluid in it, slosh about, drain
replace all the gas hoses and filters
put 2 gallons of NEW gas in tank, slosh, drain into glass jar, put on shelf for 3 days
fill tank with FRESH gas...start machine ,see what happens....
2 days from now, look at 'gas' in glass jar. ANY water in the bottom ? if not, you can reuse it.

 

[rudder35]

It has been idling for about 30 minutes and it does seem to have minor my smoothen out it’s rpm but I am still missing 500 RPM at the top and it still has tiny moments of its RPM cutting. Any idea why it may be? View attachment 144968 View attachment 144967
Actual RPM is half of the tach. Don’t have the proper tool for this job so making do with what I have.

One thing I have done with it idling is to take off the air cleaner and then put my thumb over the carb inlet to make it pull a vacuum. This sometimes clears out the little jets. YMMV

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

in the vain of keeping it simple as often its the most simple things.... (and not having experience with that carb)

- after removing the carb for cleaning did you replace the gasket?
- after cleaning the carb (if it has replaceable seat and needle) were they replaced as well?
- does the carb have a float. was it in good shape. did you replace it?


these simple parts of a carb rebuild kit are often all thats needed.

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

Is it using an electric solenoid installed on the carb?

Yes. Was like this from factory with Mikuni Carb.

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

drain tank, put gallon of winter WW fluid in it, slosh about, drain
replace all the gas hoses and filters
put 2 gallons of NEW gas in tank, slosh, drain into glass jar, put on shelf for 3 days
fill tank with FRESH gas...start machine ,see what happens....
2 days from now, look at 'gas' in glass jar. ANY water in the bottom ? if not, you can reuse it.

I was considering replacing all the lines. Is the 2nd test simply to see if there is water contaminant in the gas?

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

One thing I have done with it idling is to take off the air cleaner and then put my thumb over the carb inlet to make it pull a vacuum. This sometimes clears out the little jets. YMMV

IcN try this later!

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

in the vain of keeping it simple as often its the most simple things.... (and not having experience with that carb)

- after removing the carb for cleaning did you replace the gasket?
- after cleaning the carb (if it has replaceable seat and needle) were they replaced as well?
- does the carb have a float. was it in good shape. did you replace it?


these simple parts of a carb rebuild kit are often all thats needed.

As far as I am aware, this Mikuni carb doesn’t have a rebuild kit available for it. I used drill bits and cleaned out the jet holes for all the jets (to my knowledge) and the float is in good condition. Not sure how it would look in bad condition.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

1) fuel line will get 'coated' with 'varnish' over time. Lousy gas today breaks down fast. bits stick to inner wall, break off, carb 'troubles'.
2) if the solenoid at carb bowl is the 'anti-dieselling valve' ,it needs to be tore apart and cleaned. again 'varnish' builds up... carb 'troubles'..
3) how old is the machine? that gas varnish builds up in the tank as well.....

4) replace the cheapy red B&S filter with a clear one ! That way YOU can see the condition of the gas.

When clients come with 'carb troubles', I start at the tank and work towards the carb. If they complain, they're shown the road. I haven't cleaned/rebuilt newer carbs in years as <$50 gets you a new one and is cheaper/faster to replace than the one that's on the beastie.

 

[FiveOrangesH14]

1) fuel line will get 'coated' with 'varnish' over time. Lousy gas today breaks down fast. bits stick to inner wall, break off, carb 'troubles'.
2) if the solenoid at carb bowl is the 'anti-dieselling valve' ,it needs to be tore apart and cleaned. again 'varnish' builds up... carb 'troubles'..
3) how old is the machine? that gas varnish builds up in the tank as well.....

4) replace the cheapy red B&S filter with a clear one ! That way YOU can see the condition of the gas.

When clients come with 'carb troubles', I start at the tank and work towards the carb. If they complain, they're shown the road. I haven't cleaned/rebuilt newer carbs in years as <$50 gets you a new one and is cheaper/faster to replace than the one that's on the beastie.

I do intend to add a clear paper filter in the coming future and I have a chinese carb on the way. I will also look into cleaning that solenoid once more. Machine is at least 20 years old.