Note; "vapor lock" was an old term generally referring to fuel boiling (from the heat of an engine) before it could reach the cylinder. This would cause a bubble of vapor in the line, which would also prevent the flow of fuel. When referring to vapor lock in a fuel tank, the constant flow of fuel going out from the bottom of the fuel tank, needs a constant flow of fresh air coming in at the top. The piston moving down on the intake stroke, or a crankcase operated fuel pump will create a "pull" on the fuel (as does gravity) which will create a negative pressure in the top of the fuel tank. This negative pressure will then "pull" back on the fuel, and the pressures fight against one another until the pressure can be equalized (opening the fuel cap, or cleaning the vent).
I could have watch this video first but I guess I needed a new fuel filter, air filter, and a good carb cleaning anyway. Thanks for your great advice that fixed my mower.
Great video and explanation I have only see a bad. Cap a few times over the past 5 years. But when it happens it’s always good memory of the first time it happened.
Yes like I said, 9/10 it's the carb, that 10% of the time it's the fuel cap. Snowblowers with the Tecumseh snow king engines are bad for it, you loosen the cap a bit and they run fine. Have actually replaced more of those than I've cleaned on riding mowers. Thanks for watching!
Been having this issue since end of last season....looked at the mower desk after watching this and it was filled with grass. Removed it and fixed the problem. Thank you for the video.
I've been finding a lot of cheap no name fuel lines people have put on that has either swelled or collapsed. I actually found a deal on the line you recommend and bought two spools. The Honeywell inverter generator someone gave me has stainless springs inside the fuel and emission hoses which I have never seen which is brilliant and unfortunately not made anymore or at least I couldn't find any. Thanks again.
Yes that's actually not a bad idea, similar to some radiator hoses on vehicles, they have a spring wound inside to prevent collapsing. Thanks for watching!
I use our leaf blower to blow debris off the riding mower and the deck but that only works if the grass was cut dry, if it is wet you need much more pressure to get rid of it. Cheaper to clean a fuel cap vent by cutting dry grass then rotting out an good deck when cutting wet grass eh? Another well explained and simple easy to understand video mate.
As pear your note to the term Vapor Lock , when any liquid boils in a confined space or tank it produces high pressure quickly this is how the void or lock is produced . You have fuel pressure fighting vapor pressure . Keeping a flow of fuel will keep temps down and prevent this from happening , when you have a return line to the take .
Great Video I Have Had This Problem With Mowers a Few Times, Where The Fuel won't Flow as Per Normal. Open The Tank & It Runs Perfect. In Really Bad Circumstances It Can Get That Bad It Can Collapse The Tank
I'm having the same problem with my Toro Wheelhorse. Thanks for the tips, I will try them. Question: my fuel filter is the same as yours but oriented the other way. The larger side is on the carburetor side. I've also heard it doesn't matter. What do you think?
Great video. If following all your instructions, even cleaning the carb. If still presenting the same problem. Then what? Someone told me a new coil could fix it. What's your opinion.
Good day Jake Interesting video. I never had that happen. Many yrs. ago dad had 52 Ford & it stop on us on hot day, they called that vapor lock. (Chev trucks don't do that) LOL Thanks
Yes the technical term refers to the boiling of fuel (from heat) turning to vapour before it can go to the cylinder. This causes a vapor lock in the line or the carb and will prevent the flow of fuel. In this case, it's just trapped air at the top of the fuel tank, fighting against the pull of fuel at the bottom.
@@EliminatorPerformance I had a friend call me one afternoon and say his ridding mower died mid yard and he was trying to get it cut before the rain expected later in the day. I told him to loosen the cap and leave it somewhat loose. He thought I was a lawnmower genius.
That would be me, when ever the mower goes up on the lift to remove the blades for sharpening and balancing (or replacing) I go under there with my 6" scraper and remove all the built up grass.
@@EliminatorPerformance same here, it's part of the job. But it would be nice to snap our fingers once in a while to have someone else do that low-end work lol. I believe in Genies, just haven't seen one yet. 😂
@@waynestefinashen239 how old are you ? I'm 63 and have been in power equipment since I was 12, I grew up in it. I retired from the family business last year and started my own little shop at my house. It's the only thing I know how to do!!
@@donmayberryjrsOPE I am 73 retired from the Closed Die Forging business as Plant Manager and opened Double Action Consulting Inc. when i retired at 62. Spent 2.5 years opening another Closed Die Forge Shop up and Consulted for Canada Forgings Inc. where i retired from for another 5 years. My son Jake runs his Eliminator Performance and Small Engine Repair business on a master license under the protection of DAC Inc. the Corporation. Basically i help him out whenever he gets overloaded with equipment which is ever day in the last few years and he has taught me a lot about small engine repairs along with all the other great UA-cam channels.
Echo srm run great for 20-30 minutes and then start to run rough and lost power,after a few hours later it run great again for 20-30 minutes and then start to run rough and lost power again
Thanks for the kind words! I am mostly self taught, but did go to college for automotive technician and also a small engine course so I could get EETC certified. Other than that, I watch a lot of UA-cam videos from others who share info like I do. Thanks for watching!
@@donmayberryjrsOPE I'd say about 10 years of doing this professionally as a full time job, with experience before working on dirt bikes and having a general understanding of how these machines work.
Because the negative pressure of air trapped in the top of the fuel tank creates a "pull" on the fluid (fuel) and eventually will completely stop it from flowing. Once you open the fuel cap, you equalize the pressure, allowing it to flow. The constant flow of fuel on one end needs a constant flow of fresh air coming in at the other end. Thanks for watching!
Just like when you put your finger over the end of a drinking straw and pull it out of a full glass of water, the water stays in the straw until you let your finger off the top
Another problem can also be a dirty fuel tank so that garbage can get in the way of gas flowing through the line to the engine. This has been a problem on my zero turn mower caused by my forgetting to put the gas cap on right away after refilling.
@@mmmark61 Right on sir, we have had many cases where this has also been the issue. The Lady Bug plugging the fuel entry point at the bottom of a riding mower fuel tank was a real good one. It would run fine then start spurting for fuel then clear right up again. That is one of the things on our inspection list (check fuel tank for debris) prior to doing spark, compression etc. Jake has a great video on fuel filters surprising what a good one does compared to the screen only type but if you have a gravity fed carb you get fuel starvation issues when you use a paper element filter.
Opposite questions. Someone overfilled the plastic gas tank on my riding Husqvarna mower. Literally pressure up against the top of the tank. No. Headspace. Dumbass. Anyway, if I use the mower and the engine warms up under the hood, presumably the gas will expand and there will be fumes. Can either of those escape through the gas cap vent and potentially cause a fire. Obviously the engine is right next to the plastic gas tank. It holds 2 gallons and someone put in four. Do I have to siphon it out to be safe?
Note; "vapor lock" was an old term generally referring to fuel boiling (from the heat of an engine) before it could reach the cylinder. This would cause a bubble of vapor in the line, which would also prevent the flow of fuel.
When referring to vapor lock in a fuel tank, the constant flow of fuel going out from the bottom of the fuel tank, needs a constant flow of fresh air coming in at the top.
The piston moving down on the intake stroke, or a crankcase operated fuel pump will create a "pull" on the fuel (as does gravity) which will create a negative pressure in the top of the fuel tank. This negative pressure will then "pull" back on the fuel, and the pressures fight against one another until the pressure can be equalized (opening the fuel cap, or cleaning the vent).
Thanks . Where is dad?
@@donvoll2580 changing carb on snowblower and painting a rusted mower deck
@@EliminatorPerformancehappy new year 2024!!! Welcome again!!
I could have watch this video first but I guess I needed a new fuel filter, air filter, and a good carb cleaning anyway. Thanks for your great advice that fixed my mower.
Great video and explanation
I have only see a bad. Cap a few times over the past 5 years.
But when it happens it’s always good memory of the first time it happened.
Yes like I said, 9/10 it's the carb, that 10% of the time it's the fuel cap. Snowblowers with the Tecumseh snow king engines are bad for it, you loosen the cap a bit and they run fine. Have actually replaced more of those than I've cleaned on riding mowers. Thanks for watching!
Been having this issue since end of last season....looked at the mower desk after watching this and it was filled with grass.
Removed it and fixed the problem.
Thank you for the video.
Thanks! Dealing with this today. As soon as it happened I said, "gotta go look at Eliminator Performance!" Sure enough, you had it convered!
I hadn't even thought of the fuel cap and this helps with identifying the issue with my mowering stalling out after a start.
I've been finding a lot of cheap no name fuel lines people have put on that has either swelled or collapsed. I actually found a deal on the line you recommend and bought two spools. The Honeywell inverter generator someone gave me has stainless springs inside the fuel and emission hoses which I have never seen which is brilliant and unfortunately not made anymore or at least I couldn't find any. Thanks again.
Yes that's actually not a bad idea, similar to some radiator hoses on vehicles, they have a spring wound inside to prevent collapsing. Thanks for watching!
I haven’t seen it in years but remember it and used it
I agree on the cheap fuel hose
I buy from proparts and stens
It’s higher quality and not cheap crap that could burn up your mower
That stuff in the ziploc? Little known secret- you can smoke that once it’s dry. Great vid.
Might not feel too good after smoking that stuff LOL thanks for watching!
And it is legal in Canada eh
That ziploc bag reminds me of my time in the service , working at the flight deck we always do FOD walk-down pre/post flight operations
Another excellent video! Love your explanations, very detailed! Thanks!
Thanks Tommy!
Thank you for posting this video. I have the same problem with my Mower.
I use our leaf blower to blow debris off the riding mower and the deck but that only works if the grass was cut dry, if it is wet you need much more pressure to get rid of it. Cheaper to clean a fuel cap vent by cutting dry grass then rotting out an good deck when cutting wet grass eh? Another well explained and simple easy to understand video mate.
Yes definitely, thanks for watching!
As pear your note to the term Vapor Lock , when any liquid boils in a confined space or tank it produces high pressure quickly this is how the void or lock is produced . You have fuel pressure fighting vapor pressure . Keeping a flow of fuel will keep temps down and prevent this from happening , when you have a return line to the take .
Excellent information. Greatly appreciated. Clearly defined for easy understanding. Thankyou Sir.
Thanks for watching!
Solid presentation,very informative.
Great Video I Have Had This Problem With Mowers a Few Times, Where The Fuel won't Flow as Per Normal. Open The Tank & It Runs Perfect. In Really Bad Circumstances It Can Get That Bad It Can Collapse The Tank
Yes I've seen them crack! Thanks for watching!
Great video. Had this very issue. Love the detailed explanation.
So much I don’t know. That’s why I watch your videos
Thanks for watching!
Awesome video. This actually got my riding mower going. Thanks
Intresting, video. A little cap can cause big problems for sure. Thumb 👍 number 2
Thanks for watching!
If David Lee Roth were to be a lawn mower mechanic he would sound like this. Great video thanks
Great information video, well explained and really good video footage. well done
Thanks for watching!
Great show brother Jake so many people overlook the fuel cap nice buddy 👍
Thanks Lewis!
Very explicit thaks
Thank so much, very detailed and clarity of subject is good
Nice video and demonstration Jake and the feelings mutual about those pesky Nikki carbs. 👍🏼
Yes I dislike them but they make me good money lol thanks for watching!
That’s the only positive way to look at it. 🙂👍🏼
I'm having the same problem with my Toro Wheelhorse. Thanks for the tips, I will try them. Question: my fuel filter is the same as yours but oriented the other way. The larger side is on the carburetor side. I've also heard it doesn't matter. What do you think?
What an awesome video I’m gonna go tested on my lawnmower now
Thanks dude ! I'm glad I found this video
Great video. If following all your instructions, even cleaning the carb. If still presenting the same problem. Then what? Someone told me a new coil could fix it. What's your opinion.
Yes it could be heat soak issues in the coil, basically what could be happening is when your engine gets hot it stops producing spark
Very well done
Great explanation. Thanks again for the fun.
Thanks Bruce!
Good video Jake, very well explained. Rick
Thanks for watching Rick!
That is why keep the fuel filter changed the fuel cap must be cleaned also
Yes definitely, always keep things clean if possible. Thanks for watching!
@@EliminatorPerformance that is great idea to do that then you are going to be cut the grass with no issues
Thanks so much! All I had to do is loosen my gas cap and problem solved
Great video!!! Very informative!!! Thank you!!!!
Thanks Rick!
What if the gas cap doesn’t have that inner rubber to remove? I just ordered a new cap and hoping that is the issue. Thanks!
Good day Jake Interesting video. I never had that happen. Many yrs. ago dad had 52 Ford & it stop on us on hot day, they called that vapor lock. (Chev trucks don't do that) LOL Thanks
Yes the technical term refers to the boiling of fuel (from heat) turning to vapour before it can go to the cylinder. This causes a vapor lock in the line or the carb and will prevent the flow of fuel. In this case, it's just trapped air at the top of the fuel tank, fighting against the pull of fuel at the bottom.
I find that hard to believe Don about the Chev, but i bet the Ford is still on the road somewhere and the Chev has been crushed.
@@waynestefinashen239 Come on lets . not be so hard on chev They are heartland of America. LOL Thanks
Great information, thanks! 👍👍
Thanks for watching!
Thank you
Good information. Thank you
Thanks for watching!
@@EliminatorPerformance I had a friend call me one afternoon and say his ridding mower died mid yard and he was trying to get it cut before the rain expected later in the day. I told him to loosen the cap and leave it somewhat loose. He thought I was a lawnmower genius.
Great info and well explained. Thanks!
Don't know what happened but miss the videos. Hope all is well.
@@markfox9436 yup just been taking a little break after doing UA-cam for 7yrs straight!
Understand .
Thank you for the video.
Thanks Mark!
Hello, I have the same problem but my gas tank does have it separate check valve, What should I do?
Thanks!
Thanks for the support!
Great video eliminator.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks man
👍👍👍 as usual!
Thanks for watching!
Hi mate, new to your channel and you probably get asked all the time, but just wondering what you use in your ultrasonic bath?
We're using orange Zep!
@@EliminatorPerformance awesome thank you, with is was readily available in Australia!
Ok I have to ask......who scrapes those mower decks? 👀🤣
That would be me, when ever the mower goes up on the lift to remove the blades for sharpening and balancing (or replacing) I go under there with my 6" scraper and remove all the built up grass.
@@EliminatorPerformance same here, it's part of the job. But it would be nice to snap our fingers once in a while to have someone else do that low-end work lol. I believe in Genies, just haven't seen one yet. 😂
Don dont let Jake fool ya there, the Old Man here at EP does some of them also.
@@waynestefinashen239 how old are you ? I'm 63 and have been in power equipment since I was 12, I grew up in it. I retired from the family business last year and started my own little shop at my house. It's the only thing I know how to do!!
@@donmayberryjrsOPE I am 73 retired from the Closed Die Forging business as Plant Manager and opened Double Action Consulting Inc. when i retired at 62. Spent 2.5 years opening another Closed Die Forge Shop up and Consulted for Canada Forgings Inc. where i retired from for another 5 years. My son Jake runs his Eliminator Performance and Small Engine Repair business on a master license under the protection of DAC Inc. the Corporation. Basically i help him out whenever he gets overloaded with equipment which is ever day in the last few years and he has taught me a lot about small engine repairs along with all the other great UA-cam channels.
I had this happen to my craftsman
👍 cheers
Thanks for watching!
Salute Rafal
as mentioned not what I would call vapour lock, but just lack of liquid fuel flow.
Yes technically called air lock, but the general term used is vapor lock so I stuck with that
Truth is it’s not vapor lock which is due to excessive heat in engine and causing vapor in liquid hose to carb
What if you have a fuel pump
is that original engine? don't see a fuel pump so why white filter instead of red?
The white ones filter to a finer micron than the reds
@@EliminatorPerformance had a case where it starved for fuel with just the gravity feed.
All I use on most push mower now is white
Clear plastic paper filters on any thing with a pump and a white plastic filter in hose from pump to carb
Echo srm run great for 20-30 minutes and then start to run rough and lost power,after a few hours later it run great again for 20-30 minutes and then start to run rough and lost power again
What type of equipment is this Raymond?
👍👍👍
Thanks Pete!
Timestamp to the fix?
6:46 ? Around there
These fuel caps can’t handle the corn gas and need to be replaced every 2/3 years
Never understood why people don't clean their mower after use, can be done with a leaf blower if done Everytime and your not mowing wet grass
didn't work still vapor lock
90% carb needs cleaning or replaced - hopefully you are the 10%
I have a quick question for you. Where did you learn how to become such a great mechanic????🤷🏿♂️
Thanks for the kind words! I am mostly self taught, but did go to college for automotive technician and also a small engine course so I could get EETC certified. Other than that, I watch a lot of UA-cam videos from others who share info like I do. Thanks for watching!
@@EliminatorPerformance thanks for the answer. keep up the good work. 👍🏿
How many years of experience are under your belt in the small engine business? curious
@@donmayberryjrsOPE I'd say about 10 years of doing this professionally as a full time job, with experience before working on dirt bikes and having a general understanding of how these machines work.
@@EliminatorPerformance I'd say you have an understanding of how these things work! You're awesome! Please keep those videos coming!! Thanks!
Why won't gravity just pull the feul out the tanlk
Because the negative pressure of air trapped in the top of the fuel tank creates a "pull" on the fluid (fuel) and eventually will completely stop it from flowing. Once you open the fuel cap, you equalize the pressure, allowing it to flow. The constant flow of fuel on one end needs a constant flow of fresh air coming in at the other end. Thanks for watching!
@@EliminatorPerformance ok gotcha
Just like when you put your finger over the end of a drinking straw and pull it out of a full glass of water, the water stays in the straw until you let your finger off the top
Another problem can also be a dirty fuel tank so that garbage can get in the way of gas flowing through the line to the engine. This has been a problem on my zero turn mower caused by my forgetting to put the gas cap on right away after refilling.
@@mmmark61 Right on sir, we have had many cases where this has also been the issue. The Lady Bug plugging the fuel entry point at the bottom of a riding mower fuel tank was a real good one. It would run fine then start spurting for fuel then clear right up again. That is one of the things on our inspection list (check fuel tank for debris) prior to doing spark, compression etc. Jake has a great video on fuel filters surprising what a good one does compared to the screen only type but if you have a gravity fed carb you get fuel starvation issues when you use a paper element filter.
I see a lot of very tinny rubber in fuel tanks from bad fuel caps rotted and falling apart in to tanks
Opposite questions. Someone overfilled the plastic gas tank on my riding Husqvarna mower. Literally pressure up against the top of the tank. No. Headspace. Dumbass. Anyway, if I use the mower and the engine warms up under the hood, presumably the gas will expand and there will be fumes. Can either of those escape through the gas cap vent and potentially cause a fire. Obviously the engine is right next to the plastic gas tank. It holds 2 gallons and someone put in four. Do I have to siphon it out to be safe?
f