What can I do to stop vapor lock in my riding mower?

Question

Poulan Pro 18.5 horse mower. two years old. Gets hot and shuts down. All filters replaced, new plug and oil change. Had $300 worth of work done and still not running right. I was told it could be vapor lock.

Answer 1

Sounds electrical. Sometimes heat will cause a weak component to only function when it's cool. I eliminated a lot of my headaches when I bypassed all the safety switches.

Answer 2

Since mowers are gravity fed I doubt if it is vapor lock.Did you leave gasoline in your tank last winter?If so your carb is probably gummed up(try some injector cleaner) Did this $300 include a tune up? If so take it back.

Answer 3

Surely with 300 $ worth of work; they checked the timing and the magneto setting. The rings could be worn but they should have checked that also. Sure sounds like a magneto that is worn out and is advancing the spark to far, thus with an air cooled system the added heat could cause the gas to expand very rapidly = vapor lock ? How about this? Years ago we use to put wood type clothes pens on the gas line to draw the heat out of the fuel line. Or build yourself a shield between the line and the engine. Chances are that the engine has an internal problem that should have been diagnosed on the repair.  Compression is very important, oh! is the exhaust obstructed in any way?