Toro 20045 lawnmower only starting and running if sprayed into carb

jason · 2014-04-28T11:37:24+00:00

My Toro 20045 started misbehaving late last summer getting harder and harder to start. After googling and watching Youtube, suggestions seemed to be to clean and/or replace carburetor. Following that advice, I carefully removed the carburetor, unscrewed the bowl and cleaned the jet holes of the bowl jet and then proceeded to clean all of the indicated holes of the carb. I did the cleaning first with shots of carb cleaner spray followed by trash can tie wires through the holes and finally used compressed air on each hole. I also checked the action of the float and value and it seemed to be moving normally. Before replacing the carb, I replaced the gaskets on each side. Once reinstalled and with several primer pushes, still no start. My mower does start first pull and keeps running only IF I remove the air filter cover, take out the air filter and spray carb cleaner or gas into the carb entrance. Then I can actually mow the grass once the filter is reinstalled but once it runs out of gas, I have to go through the process of removing the filter again to give it a shot of cleaner. Last summer, the primer bulb had cracked to the point where it wouldn't press or release properly anymore and I replaced it. This is the type of primer/ air filter assembly the mower has: I notice that when I have the air filter removed and press the primer, I don't see anything happening in the carb chamber. Shouldn't I be seeing squirts of fuel entering the carb when the primer is pushed? I've suspected that the no start problem may lie within this primer/ air filter assembly, but I am not sure how to test it. I sent compressed air into the short hose as seen in the image of the amazon link. What is the short hose for? Is it supposed to pull gas from the tank when the primer is pressed? When I remove this hose along with the air filter assembly, should I be seeing gas dripping from that areas of the mower. Obviously I do when removing the carb hose....

Apr 28, 2014 22 Replies

Rate this thread:

hrhofmann 12 years ago

Jason,

Sorry if I came on a bit strong, but you kept on talking about replacing ga skets and air filter related parts, and seemed to have mostly ignored the p rimer suggestions. Take a good look at the primer set-up and see if you ca n tell how it is supposed to operate. One way or another, you have to get some raw gas into the intake manifold to get things started.

Vote

jason 12 years ago

Just an update: The air filter/primer assembly arrived today:

formatting link

Took 5 minutes to install it and after 2 primes, the mower started right up. Problem solved.

Thanks again for all the help and advice. This still wasn't that expensive of a repair and I know it would have been much more if I took it to the local lawn mower repair shop.

Jason

Vote

Stormin Mormon 12 years ago

Thank you. I just love success stories. You are very kind to share what works.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required