Tag: gas leaking from carburetor on lawn mower

Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair, Riding Lawn Mower Repair, Zero Turn Lawn Mower Repair

Gas is Leaking From Air Filter on My Mower

Are you seeing gas pouring out of the air filter area on your lawn mowers engine? When you remove the air filter is it soaking wet with gas?

This is a common problem when a lawn mower sits for a long time such as over the winter. Some lawn mowers have a shutoff valve that allows you to turn off the gas and not let the weight of the gas overcome the needle and seat in the carburetor. A needle is the size of a pencil lead and it has to force itself down on the seat to seal off the gas from coming through the carburetor and flooding the engine.

If the needle and seat becomes dirty or gummed up with fuel residue, gasoline will begin to seep past it and come out the throat of the carburetor and thus into the air filter. It will continue until the gas tank is empty and could cause a fire in your garage or shed.

This problem is a safety concern and should be inspected and repaired by a small engine repair shop. You can find one near you by visiting our Locations page.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips

My Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas From the Carburetor

If the gas is leaking directly from the throat of the carburetor, that can be a sign of a needle and seat not properly sealing. Over time, contaminants will build up on those components and cause them to leak. A complete carburetor overhaul is usually the cure for this problem.

If gas is leaking from another part of the carburetor such as the float bowl, it could be a loose bowl nut or a bad gasket on that nut. The O-ring that seals the bowl to the carburetor could also be bad. Replace these parts and be careful to clean the grooves that hold the O-ring in place as buildup of dried fuel can cause that to leak as well.

If fuel is leaking from another part of the carburetor such as a jet screw,  it is time to replace the carb with a new one. Make sure to order new gaskets when you replace the carburetor to ensure there will not be any air leaks. An air leak will cause the lawn mower engine to surge and run lean. This means it has more air than fuel.

Fuel leaks can be dangerous and lead to an engine fire. Take them seriously and if you need a lawn mower repair shop to assist with your problem, visit our Locations page for help.