Cultivator: Runs For A While Then Dies
If your cultivator runs for a while then dies, check the following parts: the fuel filter, tank breather, cylinder, and spark plug. We will talk you through these parts and others, and explain why they might have failed. Check the manual related to your model for more specific repair instructions. Our instructions are a general guide.
Fuel Filters
As with the carburetor, a plugged fuel filter can cause your machine to stall out after running for a while. If you leave fuel in your machine for a long period of time (for instance, over the winter), it can cause your fuel filter to jam up with debris. This can also happen normally over the course of the filter’s life. When this starts to happen, the engine will start up normally, but eventually it can become starved of fuel and will stall. In many cases the fuel filter can be cleaned and the problem will be solved. However, if it is damaged it will need to be replaced. We recommend this as it’s an easy and affordable part to replace, and should be part of annual cultivator maintenance.
As with the carburetor, a plugged fuel filter can cause your machine to stall out after running for a while. If you leave fuel in your machine for a long period of time (for instance, over the winter), it can cause your fuel filter to jam up with debris. This can also happen normally over the course of the filter’s life. When this starts to happen, the engine will start up normally, but eventually it can become starved of fuel and will stall. In many cases the fuel filter can be cleaned and the problem will be solved. However, if it is damaged it will need to be replaced. We recommend this as it’s an easy and affordable part to replace, and should be part of annual cultivator maintenance.
Find your Fuel Filters here
Spark Plugs
If your cultivator dies after running for a while, it may be the result of a spark plug going bad. A bad spark plug will often cut out once warmed up, and its components have expanded. This will cause your machine to start normally, run for a while, and then die, rather than dying almost immediately after it starts. If you notice that your machine is starting up but dying right away, this could still be caused by a bad spark plug, but for different reasons. Please see our separate symptom guide if your machine dies right away.
If your cultivator dies after running for a while, it may be the result of a spark plug going bad. A bad spark plug will often cut out once warmed up, and its components have expanded. This will cause your machine to start normally, run for a while, and then die, rather than dying almost immediately after it starts. If you notice that your machine is starting up but dying right away, this could still be caused by a bad spark plug, but for different reasons. Please see our separate symptom guide if your machine dies right away.
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