[6431Owner]

A guy contacted me about my "Lawn-Boy Mowers Wanted" posting on Craigslist - said he had a 10323 that would just die on him - sometimes after a few passes, sometimes got to actually finish cutting. Said he never knew whether it was going to run long enough to cut the whole yard so he went and bought a new mower. He sold me the 10323 for $10!

I got it cleaned up and snapped some pics, but didn't try cutting with it until today. Just like he described - I got about 3 passes around the perimeter of the backyard and the thing died. I primed several times and got it to start back up, but it wouldn't stay running.

This is my first time with a problem like this one - any ideas? Ignition coil? Spark plug? I know for certain that the carb needs some work - guy didn't have the air box cover on completely - filter was nasty. Additionally, this morning I discovered that the float is set incorrectly (there was a puddle of fuel on the floor under it the mower.)

Just looking for the best starting point on this dying 10323 problem. I appreciate your time and advice.

 

[Storman Norman]

Make sure the gas tank is clean first,clean the carb thoroughly,and it sounds like you need a new needle and seat right off the bat,that should clear up your puddle problem,if not just put a shut-off switch on it and keep it on off when you put it away.Good luck with it.

 

[GTP]

A guy contacted me about my "Lawn-Boy Mowers Wanted" posting on Craigslist - said he had a 10323 that would just die on him - sometimes after a few passes, sometimes got to actually finish cutting. Said he never knew whether it was going to run long enough to cut the whole yard so he went and bought a new mower. He sold me the 10323 for $10!

I got it cleaned up and snapped some pics, but didn't try cutting with it until today. Just like he described - I got about 3 passes around the perimeter of the backyard and the thing died. I primed several times and got it to start back up, but it wouldn't stay running.

This is my first time with a problem like this one - any ideas? Ignition coil? Spark plug? I know for certain that the carb needs some work - guy didn't have the air box cover on completely - filter was nasty. Additionally, this morning I discovered that the float is set incorrectly (there was a puddle of fuel on the floor under it the mower.)

Just looking for the best starting point on this dying 10323 problem. I appreciate your time and advice.

Norman is right. You need a new needle and seat (cause of puddle). The float may be set right 7/16" upside down without the gasket. The ignition coil needs replaced if it dies when it heats up. COmmon DF problem. $30 or so on ebay.

Also as Norman stated install a 90deg fuel cut off and a filter and use it when you finish mowing...keep the pressure off the needle and seat.

 

[6431Owner]

Found it! Opened up the carb to clean and found a ton of crap in the bowl and packed around the screen filter. Apparently, the gunk loosened and fell back into the bowl when not running. Then, once the mower was started, the gunk began collecting arounnd the filter again until it gathered so much that it eventually choked out the fuel supply.

After a thorough carb cleaning (and resetting the float from just over 9/16" to 7/16") it's running like a champ!

 

[mtgrs737]

Good show!! Those 10323's are good mowers and you will get a lot of good service from your $10 find. Putting a disc of oiled air filter foam under the primer button tol help keep the dirt out of the fuel bowl as it directly vents the float bowl. A good fuel filter on the fuel line will keep the incoming fuel clean also. Good luck!