lawn mower fires

Southern Ray · Sep 1, 2015

I have been reading several post of lawn mowers catching fire and burning.
The reasons given by several responders is usually the fuel pump.
I don't discount that as a possible source but I believe I found the real cause.
I looked at my mower and found something alarming.
The fuel shut off solenoid under the carburetor is directly above the muffler.
These valves tend to leak over time and all drippings will fall on the muffler.
There is a heat shield above the muffler but it too gets just as hot as the muffler.
I am thinking now just to leave the pretty plastic hood aside and instead mount a fire extinguisher.

notjustair · Sep 1, 2015

That solenoid is way far away compared to the 17 horse Kawasaki water cooled engine in a JD 188. Our Cub Cadet will go up in flames eventually because you can't get a valve cover to fit without leaking. That drips right onto the exhaust. As far as I'm concerned it can't happen too soon. Don't forget that there is airflow there when the motor is running. It has airflow around those cooling fins.

T.R.K. · Sep 1, 2015

I work as a mechanic in the small engine industry and I can't remember ever seeing one of those fuel solenoids leak.

I think you are blaming the wrong thing.

It is much more common to find fuel lines cracked and leaking.

It is also much more common to find the engine has leaked oil on the frame under the muffler.

If the customer had ever bothered to raise the hood, he would have seen either problem.

jeffcat · Sep 1, 2015

I have been there. The older Kohlers can get a nice big crack in the right side of the block and pee oil all over the frame and muffler shield. I had a Briggs twin that partialy sheared it's key. That retards the timing and the muffler gets super hot. A little oil and that much heat and POOF! The Briggs twins can start to leak between the upper and lower half of the engine. Lucky for me I had an extinguisher near by. Have had fuel lines leak a little but the fuel pumps on these machines can only pump MAYBE two pounds pressure? I don't have any low pressure gauge to check it. Anyone else have more ideas?

D beatty · Sep 2, 2015

On your Cub Cadet clean both surfaces and then use Permatex (aviation) Form-A-Gasket. If put it on right you won't have a leak.

FBH44 · Sep 2, 2015

I mount a small toolbox on the seat back of each mower, and put in a small extinguisher from Wal-Mart. Take them out severy so often, shake them up, check pressure. It ain't much, but it might be a big deal someday.

lawn mower fires

Southern Ray

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notjustair

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T.R.K.

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jeffcat

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D beatty

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FBH44

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