Non-Cub related push mower question
 

So my "trusty" ol push mower I bought from Wal-Mart many years ago when times were tough has been getting tired. To be exact, the frame is giving up but the motor is still a one pull start after a long winter, go figure. Anywho, I picked up a used Yard Machines push mower from a local guy today for $30. When I went to pick it up, I had him start it. Started right away, didn't smoke, didn't miss, etc. Cash in hand, loaded it, and went home. On the way home, the mower came loose and rolled back and forth a few times before I got home.

Anywho, I got home, unloaded it, and fired it up. It proceeded to spit and sputter and shoot out some puffs of black smoke. It almost sounds like it's bouncing off the gov the way it sounds. Cleaned the spark plug, ran the old gas out and put fresh, and changed the oil; still doesn't run right. Any idea's what could have gone wrong between point A and point B? I looked and from the bolt pattern I could probably swap engines from my old push mower to the new one but I hate to be defeated.

Any ideas or suggestions on what's going on? If need be, I can post a video of what it's doing. Seems to be getting worse but it could be just me. Thanks guys :beerchug::beerchug:

Edit: Here's a video, ignore the first failed start attempt, I was in tall grass.

https://youtu.be/8Fx-SitDFuI

Might have knocked some crap lose in the tank or carb, almost sounds like the float is stuck open and it's flooding.

That's what I was thinking, carb related. Annoying but I guess that's on the top of my list is to tear it apart and give it a good cleaning. That's exactly what I wanted to do when we leave on our Honeymoon in less than a week, clearly I have time to spare :biggrin2:

Updated with video in OP.

Posted this comment in the video

probably knocked crap loose in the tank. I use Berkebile 2+2 carb cleaner and then Star Tron and Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas to keep everything clean.

For some resolution to this (for those interested), I got the push mower going. I started to take the carb off to give it a good cleaning and (don't laugh at me) couldn't get the SOB broke loose. I did remove the vacuum line in the process, just to be mentioned. Anywho, I reinstalled it, reattached the vacuum line, and fired it up. It actually ran fine. I put a few spritzes of brake cleaner through it while running and took it for a test run. Mowed some tall grass and it did ok. Nothing to write home about when it got into tall grass but it got the job done. I'm still debating swapping motors over (same bolt pattern as my old one) but I'll probably skip it for now. So thanks for the advice, I'm guessing it was something to do with a carb seal or vacuum seal or heck, idk, crap in the carb (was my first guess, too). Whatever the reason, it's working now and I'm happy.

For me it would depend on the size of the other engine to change it out. Those dinky little 3 HP engines aren't good for much IMO. I always want at least a 5 HP on a push mower.

You sucked up a daub of water from the bottom of the tank.
lucky it worked out.
drain the little tank and tip the mower so you can put everything to one corner of the tank and work a clean rag into the fill hole, it will absorb any water still left in there. :beerchug: