[Mulcher]

My 3-year old CC30 with about 40 easy hours began starving for fuel last season. If I let it sit for 10 minutes or longer, it would start right up and run for a time…repeat, repeat, repeat. The engine begins to sputter, maybe a backfire or two, gets progressively worse and sputters to a stop. I've run it out of gas once or twice and it's the same symptoms.

Last Fall I had it "dealer serviced" with the proclamation that there was debris in the fuel tank, causing fuel starvation — $174 mistake. It worked this season for about 3 mowings (1.5 hrs total) and here we are again.

I just dissected the fuel supply from tank to carb and all's good, vent is functioning, fuel flow freely, fresh filter, air cleaner is like new, etc. I did the same last Fall.

I suspect the carb, but my current question is: what is the function of the solenoid sticking out of the float bowl? And can it be tested (I wish they would make a service manual available)? And why can I drain the fuel empty, and then it not refill from gravity feed? Does the solenoid cause it to refill in some way? I'm used to float-activated systems but I don't know how this one works...yet.

Thanks for any help….
Joe in IL