149 turns over, won't start
 

The 149 died in my yard today. The engine doesn't have any trouble turning over, but it just won't start. Checked the plug and that looks good. It did briefly start but only on full choke for a few seconds. When looking at the front end while turning the key it looked like the flywheel was a little lop-sided, but it didn't seem to be bothering the belt any. I used a meter and was getting a good read out of the ignition coil so I'm at a loss. It would start making a whining sound that seemed to be originating from under the control panel if I had the key turned for too long.

Any ideas?

I also poured a drop of seafoam down the spark plug hole and got a puff of white smoke out of the exhaust when I tried starting it so compression seems to be alright

I could be wrong, but, Those two statements make me think I would look at the fuel system first.

I suspected something similar. The inline fuel filter was a little darkened so I took off the hose and drained a little just to make sure there was still flow - it was there but pretty slow. I did completely clean the gas tank when I got it back up and running.

I've had some issues with the carb in the past, I wonder if that could be it.

Problem solved - took off the air filter assembly to get at the sediment bowl, which had quite a bit of dirt in it. The float had also come way off level and the needle float was jammed. Looks like cleaning that will be this weeks project but at least she started and is back in the garage. Thank you for the help, I'm still pretty new to all of this

An engine needs spark, fuel and compression to run.

I have been coming across quite a few units lately, of all types, (i.e. mowers, tractors, etc) all with the same m.o.

They all have sat for a while, but not necessarily a long time, and they don't want to start for lack of fuel.

I have found all to have stuck float needles that come unstuck with the slightest touch.
None of these units had fuel pumps and the gravity pressure of fuel trying to enter the carb would not release the needle.

Once unstuck, the needles remained free and the units all ran fine.

I am suspecting it has something to do with the makeup of today's gasoline and wondering what additive would prevent the problem.

I recall a quote "90% of all small engine problems are fuel related" . The smaller the engine, the more true this estimate is, I think.

Modern gasahol is really bad, but rather than finding fuel additive, I'd look for an outlet that sells 100% gasoline. You might have to look, but I'll be you'll find someone who has that ONE special pump.

A. I have looked for places that have that "one" special pump in the past. The closest I could find was about 35 miles away.
B. These stuck needle issues are occurring in other people's equipment, not mine, so telling others where they must buy their gas is not an option.

For instance, the single woman up the street with a push mower....it is alot easier to show her a bottle of something that she can add a few drops of to her gas,
and she can pick it up at Walmart next time she's there!

That's the great thing about America....Choices!

a) I live in a smallish town (20,000 ?) and there's two outlets that have 100% gas, so I assumed it wasn't that hard to find.


b) If the gas elixir works for her, that's a fine solution.