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Have you checked you are getting a spark at the spark plug ?
It wasn't with the old plug so i changed it for a brand new one, i need to double check that one as forgot to check again! If it isn't, any ideas? I checked the wiring inside and it all looked in ok condition.
Hi Steve - is this a Champion mower with a Honda engine or a Briggs and Stratton engine?
Briggs can have a common problem with the carburettor diaphragm causing poor hot starting and erratic running...
Adam - I believe its a Honda, though i have read that Champion mowers are famously bad starters. My last option is to take it to the local garden machinery repair shop and see what can be done for the old girl lol.
Honda engines should start first pull every time (and in my experience normally do), Briggs can be tempermental at times but can usually be made OK by someone that knows what they are looking at.
I would recheck for a spark as a sudden stop after running Ok as you describe, sounds more like an ignition related fault - possibly on the OPC (operator presence control) side of things. Check all relevant wires are attached to the 'slides' if it is a Briggs engine.
cheers for the advice guys, I'll try putting a bit of petrol in the spark plug hole in the morning. As far as I can see its something spark/ignition related as the fuel tank/carburetor seemed ok.
could be the magneto clean the bits on the flywheel and check the gap (should be the thickness of the board of a Sig packet)
If you have a very weak spark on the new plug, try leading the plug.
On the very tip of the plug rub some lead off a penceil, tis wil give you a very hot bright spark and normally works on flooded engines and helps to bed in new plugs.
Good luck.
Took it to local garden machinery engineer and he thinks its the starter coil which is why it starts every now and then. On the plus side i've been offered a little Mountfield by a friend which can take its place as back up :)