i think you nailed it, the mower actually runs the same before and after, but the operator thinks it sounds fine after said beer break...
That was short term unauthorized use...kinda like when these kids rent an air bnb for huge parties! The goat just forgot to invite his pals to that particular party Epic...
Put a container of Heet in the fuel, drove about a hundred feet and the bog went away...Not sure if it's fixed, but it ran well last night. If it doesn't rain, I will mow the field tonight and see if it is still running correctly. Thanks for all the assistance!
It's not a gloat per sey...but a caution. When I used to earn my paycheck working on power equipment the problem was bad fuel up to 50% of the time. 'Bad fuel' can include contamination, degredation and filtration/flow issues. It's when I learned to never trust a gas cap as well (to vent). Way too many times chasing ghosts when eventually it was found that the tank could not vent. Depending on symptoms, one of my first checks now. I'm glad it's acting right for you again. In the future when you run out of Heet, replace it with a product called K100. Same type of product but works exceptionally well from what I've seen. This thread has just reminded me it's time to dose everything with Lucas fuel treatment again. It could be snake oil, but I feel better having done it for no more than it costs me.
Our current shop guys turned me onto it a few years ago. I am a skeptic about stuff like this, but they showed me that it works. I still keep a can of seafoam as well because it's straightened up a loping idle for me in the past when all else failed. Now then...how did that moisture find it's way in? Does the unit sit out where rain can infiltrate? Where do you store your fuel can? If it's not sealed when empty it can draw condensate. Do you always empty 'the last drop' out of the cans? (I usually leave an 'angel's share' as to not get the particles and moisture which will be at bottom of can) Perhaps just a fluke...hopefully.
