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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Atco strange behaviour

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Hi guys !

I have noticed for a while that when I am using the clutch of my Atco Lighweigth 14" after mowing the engine stop and I don't know if there is a fix to apply on the clutch itself or on the engine.

otherwise, when mowing, the engine sounds very well ...

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Arnaud

 

wristpin Fri, 27/09/2013

Are you saying that operating the clutch stalls the engine or just that it will not idle when off load with the drive disconnected?

arnob Fri, 27/09/2013

Well, to be more precise (I hope so !) the engine stops when I want to stop mowing just a moment for, i.e removing the grass box.

So yes, the engine stalls when the blades stop : a paradox for me because that it needs less power at this moment.

Regards,

Arnaud

 

wristpin Fri, 27/09/2013

In reply to by arnob

So if you de-clutch but leave the throttle in the "mowing position" does the engine remain running but only stalls if you close the throttle? If that is the case the carburettor is possibly  out of adjustment or contaminated with dirt or stale fuel.

Has the mower been performing OK but has just started doing this or has this occurred after other work to the engine?

If the former,the first stop will be to increase the tick over (idle) revs a little with the throttle stop screw or cable adjuster. This may help but if not try adjusting the slow running mixture control.

If neither of those adjustments helps you may need to strip and clean the carburettor.

If you can post an image of the carburettor to help with identification it may be possible for someone to supply an image of a parts diagram with some more specific information.

 

arnob Fri, 27/09/2013

In reply to by wristpin

Hi wristpin,

Thanks for your quick reply.

I don't have a detailed picture of the carburator yet but the engine is a Villiers suits for my Atco Ligthweigth 1951.

Otherwise, I am wondering if there is a fix to apply to the clutch itself (spring i.e) ?

Regards,

Arnaud

 

 

 

wristpin Fri, 27/09/2013

In reply to by arnob

Think that we are going round in circles! We need to determine if the stalling is being caused by a mechanical problem in the clutch dragging the engine down when it's disengaged  - unlikely; or a carburettor adjustment/fault.

You're the man on the spot  - I'm only guessing!

arnob Sat, 28/09/2013

In reply to by wristpin

Hi,

I'm trying to break the cicle but sorry, due to my English, maybe I am not precise enough ! 

So I guess it is the first proposal : "the clutch dragging the engine down when it's disengaged" ;-) 

Thanks for your patience. 

Regards,

Arnaud

 

 

 

hillsider Sat, 28/09/2013

In reply to by arnob

Hello,
Just a thought here, if you ignore trying to cut grass can you start the engine run it at speed and then return it to idle reliably without engaging any drives?
Ray.

arnob Sat, 28/09/2013

In reply to by hillsider

Hi Ray,

Yes, the engine sounds well whatever it speed.

I have to say that even during cutting, I don't want to speed up the engine because of the speed of the mower itself and because that the cutting area is small.

So, finally maybe the engine stops because of inadequate speed during all the process. at the other hand, this behaviour was no the same last year when I catch my wonderful Atco.

Regards,

Arnaud

 

 

hillsider Sat, 28/09/2013

In reply to by arnob

I must admit to being a little puzzled by the description of your problem mower,  I think the best suggestion that I can give you is to follow Wristpins advice and check the caburettor for cleanliness and adjustments. Failing that perhaps it is time to give the mower a good service and pay particular attention to any adjustments.

arnob Sun, 29/09/2013

In reply to by hillsider

Hi, 

Yes, I must check the carburattor.

Concerning giving my Atco to a French maintenance service : no way ! : I don't think that any of them saw an Villiers engine.

Better chance with Monet Goyon motobike enthousiasts ...

I'll give you my results ASAP.

Thanks.

Regards,

Arnaud