I have a craftsman lawn tractor and it backfires when I start it.
Thankfully backfiring is not a danger to your lawn mower and engine.It can be a symptom of other problems, and should be addressed.How can you stop your lawn mower engine from backfiring?
A backfire occurs when gasoline ignites outside of the engine's combustion chamber.
During rapid deceleration, the engine tries to bring its timing in line with the lowered throttle, causing a backfire.An excess of air in the mix can lead to a lean blend.The lean blend is forced into the exhaust system due to incomplete combustion because of the popping sound that is heard.The process is done in a split second due to the precise timing of the engine.
There are a number of things you can do while operating your mower that can cause a backfire, and there are ways to avoid them.
Decelerating too quickly is the primary cause of a backfire.The easiest way to lower the engine speed is gradually.If you have a throttle that you use to reduce speed, slowly let it go.
A carburetor that is not adjusted correctly is the most likely cause.The lean mix could cause backfire during normal operation as well as during deceleration.If you want to fix it, consult your owners' manual or have a professional adjust it.
Sometimes the problem with gasoline is its own.A gasoline with a higher blend of alcohol in it can make your mower more likely to backfire due to skewing the mix.The wrong blend of gasoline can unbalance the system.If a no-alcohol blend is not available, try to find a lower alcohol blend.
If the engine is running at a hotter temperature than usual, it is possible to stop it and let it rest, which is a simple fix.Modification of the engine housing for less air restriction is a long-term fix.