Carb is leaking on push mower

[thatguy]

I have a Toro Recycler that is leaking gas - a quick search on the internet lead me to think that the needle valve in the carb is sticking and allowing it to leak.. I was going to go get new gas this morning so I topped the mower off yesterday and after a few hrs the garage started smelling strongly of gas..

I always fill the mower up just before I trim mow (which takes about 1 hr) and noticed there was some gas on the deck - but i thought it was just because of the mower movement causing it to come out of the gas cap..

How hard is a needle valve to replace OR does the carb need to be rebuilt?

I can get specific motor information later if needed..

Brian

 

[Fixemall]

Quick fix is to hose off mower, blow dry, remove and clean air cleaner, pinch off gas line if tank is not already empty, remove gas line from carb, make reference mark down side of carb with marker from top to bottom, remove 10mm bolt from carb bowl, gently remove it and clean inside with brake cleaner, spray float and needle with same, remove float and needle by gently sliding the retaining pin out, clean them again, spray cleaner in gas inlet till it runs clean from where you removed needle assembly, reassemble, move float up and down with finger, should fall by itself, reinstall carb bowl using previous made reference line, reconnect gas line, refill 1/3 tank and check for leaks. Try to keep mower level during entire operation and wear safety glasses when spraying cleaners. It helps if you can get the mower up to at least waist height during the operation(FEL makes nice lift) also if it has an inline filter(most don't ) you should replace it. Reason for the initial cleaning was to not to introduce any junk into internals and make finding dropped parts easier.

 

[thatguy]

I was wrong... When i went into the garage this morning there was no gas smell and there was still gas in the tank..

The tank is leaking near the filler neck when you completely fill it up, overnight the gas level dropped below the leak - hence no more leaking..

Searching for a replacement tank and hose now..

b

 

[Fixemall]

You can epoxy those. If you do replace the tank, consider an inline filter.

 

[thatguy]

Ordered a new tank today and I had already thought about adding an inline filter..

This one was oozing in a seam and I thought about trying some JB Weld, but for $30 I am just replacing it..

While im at it its also getting a new fuel line and a new spark plug.. Do you think 10 yrs is long enough for the original plug? hehe

Brian

 

[fortuneneo]

It will make the whole thing worse.