Riding Lawn Mower Shuts off After a Few Minutes

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Note; "vapor lock" was an old term generally referring to fuel boiling (from the heat of an engine) before it could reach the cylinder. This would cause a bubble of vapor in the line, which would also prevent the flow of fuel. When referring to vapor lock in a fuel tank, the constant flow of fuel going out from the bottom of the fuel tank, needs a constant flow of fresh air coming in at the top. The piston moving down on the intake stroke, or a crankcase operated fuel pump will create a "pull" on the fuel (as does gravity) which will create a negative pressure in the top of the fuel tank. This negative pressure will then "pull" back on the fuel, and the pressures fight against one another until the pressure can be equalized (opening the fuel cap, or cleaning the vent).

[@donvoll2580]

Thanks . Where is dad?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

@@donvoll2580 changing carb on snowblower and painting a rusted mower deck

[@breannaoliver6316]

​@@EliminatorPerformancehappy new year 2024!!! Welcome again!!

[@dfields9511]

Great video and explanation I have only see a bad. Cap a few times over the past 5 years. But when it happens it’s always good memory of the first time it happened.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes like I said, 9/10 it's the carb, that 10% of the time it's the fuel cap. Snowblowers with the Tecumseh snow king engines are bad for it, you loosen the cap a bit and they run fine. Have actually replaced more of those than I've cleaned on riding mowers. Thanks for watching!

[@rickgullen5962]

I could have watch this video first but I guess I needed a new fuel filter, air filter, and a good carb cleaning anyway. Thanks for your great advice that fixed my mower.

[@Bullseye_wb]

Been having this issue since end of last season....looked at the mower desk after watching this and it was filled with grass. Removed it and fixed the problem. Thank you for the video.

[@JoeMac1983]

Thanks! Dealing with this today. As soon as it happened I said, "gotta go look at Eliminator Performance!" Sure enough, you had it convered!

[@bst8019]

Thanks!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for the support!

[@Crypt0Crossf1re]

I hadn't even thought of the fuel cap and this helps with identifying the issue with my mowering stalling out after a start.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

I've been finding a lot of cheap no name fuel lines people have put on that has either swelled or collapsed. I actually found a deal on the line you recommend and bought two spools. The Honeywell inverter generator someone gave me has stainless springs inside the fuel and emission hoses which I have never seen which is brilliant and unfortunately not made anymore or at least I couldn't find any. Thanks again.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes that's actually not a bad idea, similar to some radiator hoses on vehicles, they have a spring wound inside to prevent collapsing. Thanks for watching!

[@philliphall5198]

I haven’t seen it in years but remember it and used it

[@philliphall5198]

I agree on the cheap fuel hose I buy from proparts and stens It’s higher quality and not cheap crap that could burn up your mower

[@waynestefinashen239]

I use our leaf blower to blow debris off the riding mower and the deck but that only works if the grass was cut dry, if it is wet you need much more pressure to get rid of it. Cheaper to clean a fuel cap vent by cutting dry grass then rotting out an good deck when cutting wet grass eh? Another well explained and simple easy to understand video mate.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes definitely, thanks for watching!

[@Samlol23_drrich]

That stuff in the ziploc? Little known secret- you can smoke that once it’s dry. Great vid.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Might not feel too good after smoking that stuff LOL thanks for watching!

[@waynestefinashen239]

And it is legal in Canada eh

[@Leo-uy4qv]

That ziploc bag reminds me of my time in the service , working at the flight deck we always do FOD walk-down pre/post flight operations

[@Tommyr]

Another excellent video! Love your explanations, very detailed! Thanks!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Tommy!

[@DustinGrant]

Thank you for posting this video. I have the same problem with my Mower.

[@walterbeaver6365]

Excellent information. Greatly appreciated. Clearly defined for easy understanding. Thankyou Sir.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@DIYVariety]

Intresting, video. A little cap can cause big problems for sure. Thumb 👍 number 2

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@dennisfairlie7080]

Solid presentation,very informative.

[@MrGaborseres]

Helpful 👍 Greetings from Florida 🌴 🌞

[@LewisMowersandBoats]

Great show brother Jake so many people overlook the fuel cap nice buddy 👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Lewis!

[@chrisssmallengines7163]

As pear your note to the term Vapor Lock , when any liquid boils in a confined space or tank it produces high pressure quickly this is how the void or lock is produced . You have fuel pressure fighting vapor pressure . Keeping a flow of fuel will keep temps down and prevent this from happening , when you have a return line to the take .

[@dukeplc]

Great video. Had this very issue. Love the detailed explanation.

[@jonlambshead5115]

Great Video I Have Had This Problem With Mowers a Few Times, Where The Fuel won't Flow as Per Normal. Open The Tank & It Runs Perfect. In Really Bad Circumstances It Can Get That Bad It Can Collapse The Tank

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes I've seen them crack! Thanks for watching!

[@ricwayneoutdoors]

Awesome video. This actually got my riding mower going. Thanks

[@RomeoEdward]

I'm having the same problem with my Toro Wheelhorse. Thanks for the tips, I will try them. Question: my fuel filter is the same as yours but oriented the other way. The larger side is on the carburetor side. I've also heard it doesn't matter. What do you think?

[@samueljaramillo4221]

So much I don’t know. That’s why I watch your videos

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@bradenturner6718]

What an awesome video I’m gonna go tested on my lawnmower now

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Great information video, well explained and really good video footage. well done

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@rodneylee4026]

If David Lee Roth were to be a lawn mower mechanic he would sound like this. Great video thanks

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Good video Jake, very well explained. Rick

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching Rick!

[@BrucesShop]

Great explanation. Thanks again for the fun.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Bruce!

[@jeffreyhuddleston876]

Thanks dude ! I'm glad I found this video

[@AngelaMoody-t4y]

Thank so much, very detailed and clarity of subject is good

[@Big_Johns]

Nice video and demonstration Jake and the feelings mutual about those pesky Nikki carbs. 👍🏼

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes I dislike them but they make me good money lol thanks for watching!

[@Big_Johns]

That’s the only positive way to look at it. 🙂👍🏼

[@VictorSilva-py7cq]

Very explicit thaks

[@tonym6920]

Great information, thanks! 👍👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@1958donaldsmith]

Very well done

[@rickbroerman9267]

Great video!!! Very informative!!! Thank you!!!!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Rick!

[@thattacolife6862]

What if the gas cap doesn’t have that inner rubber to remove? I just ordered a new cap and hoping that is the issue. Thanks!

[@donvoll2580]

Good day Jake Interesting video. I never had that happen. Many yrs. ago dad had 52 Ford & it stop on us on hot day, they called that vapor lock. (Chev trucks don't do that) LOL Thanks

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes the technical term refers to the boiling of fuel (from heat) turning to vapour before it can go to the cylinder. This causes a vapor lock in the line or the carb and will prevent the flow of fuel. In this case, it's just trapped air at the top of the fuel tank, fighting against the pull of fuel at the bottom.

[@waynestefinashen239]

I find that hard to believe Don about the Chev, but i bet the Ford is still on the road somewhere and the Chev has been crushed.

[@donvoll2580]

@@waynestefinashen239 Come on lets . not be so hard on chev They are heartland of America. LOL Thanks

[@haneyoakie14]

Good information. Thank you

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@haneyoakie14]

@@EliminatorPerformance I had a friend call me one afternoon and say his ridding mower died mid yard and he was trying to get it cut before the rain expected later in the day. I told him to loosen the cap and leave it somewhat loose. He thought I was a lawnmower genius.

[@ocrun6765]

Great info and well explained. Thanks!

[@robertmailhos8159]

That is why keep the fuel filter changed the fuel cap must be cleaned also

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes definitely, always keep things clean if possible. Thanks for watching!

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@EliminatorPerformance that is great idea to do that then you are going to be cut the grass with no issues

[@Zekerose]

Thank you for the video.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Mark!

[@angelariley5108]

Thanks so much! All I had to do is loosen my gas cap and problem solved

[@wallywallydingbat]

Hi mate, new to your channel and you probably get asked all the time, but just wondering what you use in your ultrasonic bath?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

We're using orange Zep!

[@wallywallydingbat]

@@EliminatorPerformance awesome thank you, with is was readily available in Australia!

[@tonymusto8494]

Thank you

[@juanramirez5223]

Hello, I have the same problem but my gas tank does have it separate check valve, What should I do?

[@markfox9436]

Don't know what happened but miss the videos. Hope all is well.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

@@markfox9436 yup just been taking a little break after doing KZbin for 7yrs straight!

[@markfox9436]

Understand .

[@jcataclisma]

👍👍👍 as usual!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@crisprtalk6963]

Great video eliminator.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@kenhilson786]

is that original engine? don't see a fuel pump so why white filter instead of red?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

The white ones filter to a finer micron than the reds

[@kenhilson786]

@@EliminatorPerformance had a case where it starved for fuel with just the gravity feed.

[@philliphall5198]

All I use on most push mower now is white Clear plastic paper filters on any thing with a pump and a white plastic filter in hose from pump to carb

[@donmayberryjrsOPE]

Ok I have to ask......who scrapes those mower decks? 👀🤣

[@EliminatorPerformance]

That would be me, when ever the mower goes up on the lift to remove the blades for sharpening and balancing (or replacing) I go under there with my 6" scraper and remove all the built up grass.

[@donmayberryjrsOPE]

@@EliminatorPerformance same here, it's part of the job. But it would be nice to snap our fingers once in a while to have someone else do that low-end work lol. I believe in Genies, just haven't seen one yet. 😂

[@waynestefinashen239]

Don dont let Jake fool ya there, the Old Man here at EP does some of them also.

[@donmayberryjrsOPE]

@@waynestefinashen239 how old are you ? I'm 63 and have been in power equipment since I was 12, I grew up in it. I retired from the family business last year and started my own little shop at my house. It's the only thing I know how to do!!

[@waynestefinashen239]

@@donmayberryjrsOPE I am 73 retired from the Closed Die Forging business as Plant Manager and opened Double Action Consulting Inc. when i retired at 62. Spent 2.5 years opening another Closed Die Forge Shop up and Consulted for Canada Forgings Inc. where i retired from for another 5 years. My son Jake runs his Eliminator Performance and Small Engine Repair business on a master license under the protection of DAC Inc. the Corporation. Basically i help him out whenever he gets overloaded with equipment which is ever day in the last few years and he has taught me a lot about small engine repairs along with all the other great KZbin channels.

[@ThelifeandtimesofBarneyTaylor]

Thanks man

[@RafalScrapper]

👍 cheers

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@waynestefinashen239]

Salute Rafal

[@kenhilson786]

as mentioned not what I would call vapour lock, but just lack of liquid fuel flow.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes technically called air lock, but the general term used is vapor lock so I stuck with that

[@philliphall5198]

Truth is it’s not vapor lock which is due to excessive heat in engine and causing vapor in liquid hose to carb

[@j.r.walden9937]

Timestamp to the fix?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

6:46 ? Around there

[@darkcontrast8470]

What if you have a fuel pump

[@raymondthompson4222]

Echo srm run great for 20-30 minutes and then start to run rough and lost power,after a few hours later it run great again for 20-30 minutes and then start to run rough and lost power again

[@waynestefinashen239]

What type of equipment is this Raymond?

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks Pete!

[@roboverholt2035]

I had this happen to my craftsman

[@patrickpoulard24]

I have a quick question for you. Where did you learn how to become such a great mechanic????🤷🏿‍♂️

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for the kind words! I am mostly self taught, but did go to college for automotive technician and also a small engine course so I could get EETC certified. Other than that, I watch a lot of KZbin videos from others who share info like I do. Thanks for watching!

[@patrickpoulard24]

​@@EliminatorPerformance thanks for the answer. keep up the good work. 👍🏿

[@donmayberryjrsOPE]

How many years of experience are under your belt in the small engine business? curious

[@EliminatorPerformance]

@@donmayberryjrsOPE I'd say about 10 years of doing this professionally as a full time job, with experience before working on dirt bikes and having a general understanding of how these machines work.

[@donmayberryjrsOPE]

@@EliminatorPerformance I'd say you have an understanding of how these things work! You're awesome! Please keep those videos coming!! Thanks!

[@leemorgan4037]

Never understood why people don't clean their mower after use, can be done with a leaf blower if done Everytime and your not mowing wet grass

[@yourworstfear]

didn't work still vapor lock

[@philliphall5198]

These fuel caps can’t handle the corn gas and need to be replaced every 2/3 years

[@jerrycannon6940]

Why won't gravity just pull the feul out the tanlk

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Because the negative pressure of air trapped in the top of the fuel tank creates a "pull" on the fluid (fuel) and eventually will completely stop it from flowing. Once you open the fuel cap, you equalize the pressure, allowing it to flow. The constant flow of fuel on one end needs a constant flow of fresh air coming in at the other end. Thanks for watching!

[@jerrycannon6940]

@@EliminatorPerformance ok gotcha

[@waynestefinashen239]

Just like when you put your finger over the end of a drinking straw and pull it out of a full glass of water, the water stays in the straw until you let your finger off the top

[@mmmark61]

Another problem can also be a dirty fuel tank so that garbage can get in the way of gas flowing through the line to the engine. This has been a problem on my zero turn mower caused by my forgetting to put the gas cap on right away after refilling.

[@waynestefinashen239]

@@mmmark61 Right on sir, we have had many cases where this has also been the issue. The Lady Bug plugging the fuel entry point at the bottom of a riding mower fuel tank was a real good one. It would run fine then start spurting for fuel then clear right up again. That is one of the things on our inspection list (check fuel tank for debris) prior to doing spark, compression etc. Jake has a great video on fuel filters surprising what a good one does compared to the screen only type but if you have a gravity fed carb you get fuel starvation issues when you use a paper element filter.

[@DNYS8N]

90% carb needs cleaning or replaced - hopefully you are the 10%

[@philliphall5198]

I see a lot of very tinny rubber in fuel tanks from bad fuel caps rotted and falling apart in to tanks

[@tammypelletier3195]

Opposite questions. Someone overfilled the plastic gas tank on my riding Husqvarna mower. Literally pressure up against the top of the tank. No. Headspace. Dumbass. Anyway, if I use the mower and the engine warms up under the hood, presumably the gas will expand and there will be fumes. Can either of those escape through the gas cap vent and potentially cause a fire. Obviously the engine is right next to the plastic gas tank. It holds 2 gallons and someone put in four. Do I have to siphon it out to be safe?

[@MichaelBanks-t8z]

f