3225 gas tank removal

[Yardman]

Unbelieveable! There are bolts and nuts that hold the hitch plate in place. I see where later years these bolts were changed to sel tapping hex head bolts which would be nice. I installed the gas tank with ne gromments and that appears to have solved the gas tank leaks. But what a chore of reaching up to get a wrench on those bolts! I still have to remove the left wheel to get the last bolt installed since the holes did not align.

Repaired the gas tank gromments, installed new barrels in drive shaft, installed new bushings to improve forward and reverse and now the damn engine won't run! Brand new PA-Ch740-3328 command pro. Will only start with full choke then dies. My kids keep on saying " Dad get a new mower" . I'm almost there. Sorry for the rant!

[CubDieselFan]

Is the fuel solenoid coming on? Can you hear the click, when you turn the key on?

[Oak]

Check what CubDiesel said.

If that is good then check and see if your fuel pump is pumping fuel to the carb. You could have pinched a fuel line if you had the floorboard off or lost the pick-up tube in the tank.

[Yardman]

Thanks fellas. My conclusion is that the carb is not getting enough fuel. Will start on full choke (sometimes I cover the carb with my hand to feather the engine), and will continue to run for awhile, but as soon as you decrease the choke or increase throttle it dies. Have cleaned carb several times, replaced the accelerator diaphragm (had indication of rubber wear), verified fuel solenoid working, verified pump is pumping into carb, and even purchased an after market brand new carb with the same result.

I should have replaced the entire fuel line as was suggested earlier. Is it possible the line is pinched or has some condition that is preventing the correct flow of fuel even though the testing of components as described above have checked out? Even thoug the carb float resorvoir is full is it possible that air is somehow getting into the carb?

Thanks!

[darkminion_17]

These things happen, I always leave it apart and test it before reassembly. Are the shutoffs on, all the way?

[Oak]

If your carb is full of fuel and your not enough fuel into the engine it sounds like you have trash in the carb yet. Could you have a intake manifold leak or other issues with the intake? Will it run if you spray fuel in the carb while it's spitting & sputtering? Those fuel lines are probably 20 years old. Can you run a new short hose into a small tank or fuel can to the pump?

[Yardman]

Thanks Oak. You experienced guys are truely appreciated! I cleaned the carb three or 4 times. I think I got blow thru in every little hole/orifice I could find, blew out with 100 psi. Also I installed a brand new carb and there was no difference. Manifold leak or intake is something that I did not check but it is a brand new engine. Probably not more than 50 hours on it! Yes it will run when spraying starter fluid into carb throat. I thought about running another hose as you suggested..thanks!

[Yardman]

Yep, should have done that but it's an engine with less than 50 hours on it! What shutoffs are you referring to?

[darkminion_17]

If any that was added. otherwise be sure the fuel filter is in the correct direction.

[Yardman]

Ok it's running. Veried that fuel solenoid was working multiple times, heard it "clicking" and bench tested multiple times. After cleaning carb at least 3 times and installing new china carb, nothing changed. I then put the multimeter to work and saw I was not getting 12 volts to fuel solenoid! Clipped the solenoid shaft, reinstalled, and hallelujah! The damn fuel solenoid ended up being an electrical issue. Maybe a blown fuse? At this point I don't care. Mowed 3 acres with no problem. Lesson learned: components may test "good" on the bench but it's got to be ok in line! I now am an expert carb cleaner though!