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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Viral_Jim on 17 April 2025, 13:38:12

Title: Atco mower - Hydrolocked
Post by: Viral_Jim on 17 April 2025, 13:38:12
As some of you may recall I bought a non-runner Atco mower from FaceAche Marketplace towards the end of last year. Anyway, I have serviced it and it now runs pretty well.

This morning I noticed the blade wasn't up to much so I took it off to give it a sharpen. To do this I had the mower on a 45 degree slant to get at the blades. Left it that way for maybe 20 mins. Came back to it and it was completely hydrolocked with fuel. My question is, is this normal or did I fuŁk up rebuilding the carb in some way that now lets fuel drain into the cylinder?

 :-\
Title: Re: Atco mower - Hydrolocked
Post by: YZ250 on 17 April 2025, 14:22:15
They are quite primitive so it's essential to only tilt them back, not tilted sideways or forwards. You've done nothing wrong with the rebuild, it's just something that happens if tilted the wrong way.
So, if you haven't already done so it's plug out, pull cord a million times to spit the petrol/oil out and attempt to start it. (Plug back in obviously) :y  It will smoke like a bastard when it does start.  :)
I use a drill attachment for this as it kills my arm pulling the cord.  ::)  It would pay to dump the oil if fuel has been in there. Next time, lift it up on bricks/blocks or whatever and work from underneath.
Hope you manage to sort it.  :y
Title: Re: Atco mower - Hydrolocked
Post by: STEMO on 17 April 2025, 15:47:03
The chap who used to cut our grass, when we lived in Wakefield, used to get hydolocked in the pub before he turned up sometimes.
Title: Re: Atco mower - Hydrolocked
Post by: ronnyd on 17 April 2025, 16:21:03
The chap who used to cut our grass, when we lived in Wakefield, used to get hydolocked in the pub before he turned up sometimes.
;D ;D ;D Rotating machinery and alcohol don't mix either.
Title: Re: Atco mower - Hydrolocked
Post by: Viral_Jim on 17 April 2025, 22:44:16
They are quite primitive so it's essential to only tilt them back, not tilted sideways or forwards. You've done nothing wrong with the rebuild, it's just something that happens if tilted the wrong way.

Good to know, thank you  :y

TBH as soon as I clocked what I'd done I pulled the plug, span it over a few times then left it to get a cup of coffee. Came back and she struck up after a couple of pulls.

I haven't dropped the oil yet, wanted to have it as a runner first. Will they accept more or less any car motor oil? I have some 10/30 lying about.
Title: Re: Atco mower - Hydrolocked
Post by: YZ250 on 17 April 2025, 23:08:22
They are quite primitive so it's essential to only tilt them back, not tilted sideways or forwards. You've done nothing wrong with the rebuild, it's just something that happens if tilted the wrong way.

I haven't dropped the oil yet, wanted to have it as a runner first. Will they accept more or less any car motor oil? I have some 10/30 lying about.

That will be fine, SAE 30 or 10W-30 engine oil is commonly used in the 4 strokes.  :y
Title: Re: Atco mower - Hydrolocked
Post by: Viral_Jim on 18 April 2025, 15:39:25
Super, thanks.

Always a font of knowledge this forum  :y
Title: Re: Atco mower - Hydrolocked
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 19 April 2025, 11:39:15
They are quite primitive so it's essential to only tilt them back, not tilted sideways or forwards. You've done nothing wrong with the rebuild, it's just something that happens if tilted the wrong way.

I haven't dropped the oil yet, wanted to have it as a runner first. Will they accept more or less any car motor oil? I have some 10/30 lying about.

That will be fine, SAE 30 or 10W-30 engine oil is commonly used in the 4 strokes.  :y

Just about any old crap will do. :)

I think peak RPM on my mower is a lethargic 2400RPM.

I usually change it one a year (by tipping the mower on it's side) with 400ml.