Mantis Tiller cutting out - any ideas?

[Ant]

We have had our 4 stroke mantis tiller for 2 months and it has been working fine. However today it stopped working.

Well, not stopped....

Starts up fine, idles fine as long as the choke is open a tiny bit. Even after it has warmed up for 5 mins or more as soon as you close the close it cuts out.

Even with the choke open, as soon as it is under any load it cuts out, ie: when you pull it backwards. You can go forward no problem and walk it around, but after a couple of goes backworks it cuts out. Sometimes all you need to do is move it backwards a tiny bit and it cuts out as though it is jammed?

I have checked the following:
1. enough fuel - half a tank
2. oil to correct level
3. nothing stuck on the tines
4. nothing stuck on the axle bits

However, on examination of the air filter it is damp with oil at the bottom?

First thoughts were fuel starvation under throttle, but that doesn't tie in with it cutting out with the slightest movement which made me think knacked clutch thing?

And what explains the oil in the air filter? That could be a seal gone?

Any ideas welcomed otherwise it will be an email to Mantis asking them for help  :)

[Ant]

[hippydave]

i had a four stroke mantis with the same problem which was caused by the mantis being on its side and oil leaking from the engine into the air filter causing lack of air to the carb.
Try staring the mantis with the air filter removed to see if this cures the problem but do not work the soil with it removed or it will suck crap into the engine. if this works either clean the air filer in petrol and let it dry or fit a brand new one.
you could also try advancing the idling speed on the carb to see if thos makes a differance.
The people at mantis are also very very helpful and it may well be worth ringing them.

[Ant]

cheers...  :)

I did try running it without the air filter on to see of it was air starvation and noticed that there was an occasional dribble of oil appearing there. Also it still cut out when rocked backwards?

[hippydave]

if it has been on its side the will be residual oil in there, try running it on idle for around 15/20mins if its still cutting out ring mantis on monday

[Plot69]

Not sure if a 4 stroke would be the same but a chap on my site has a 2 stroke ryobi that wouldn't idle until I adjusted the mixture and idle screws? Runs like a dream now.

[Two Choices]

Hi Ant, back to basics I know but this hasn't happened since you got some new petrol has it?  I picked up a full tank in the car and it ran really rough.  The other thing could be water in the fuel. Might be worth draining the tank and refilling with some new fuel. Let me know how it goes TC :)

[tomatoada]

Yes.  Please let us all know how you get on.  I am thinking of buying one next month and I am not very mechanically minded.  I don't know if I would cope with that sort of thing. 

[Ant]

right... update on this...
got home from work and thought I would have a tinker whilst it was still light.

Fired up no problems and ran fine at all throttle/choke combos so let it idle for about 10 mins without the tines on.

Then I got bored and the following thought process took hold...

"hmm... I reckon I could test this in the raised bed in the greenhouse" (this was at home, not the plot)
The greenhouse is 12' x 10' and the raised bed inside is 6' x 3' so same as the ones on the plot.

Anyay, powered off, fitted the tines and went in the greenhouse. Opened the doors and louvres and fired it up


:o

The instant it was under any load there was a loud pop and a huge puff of bluey-white smoke as a load of oil burnt off in the exhaust followed by a slightly smaller pop that may have come from my arse as it made me jump.  ;D

Anyway, good news is it is running fine again. The problem seems to have stemmed from it being stored on the wrong side whilst transported to the plot. A day stood upright and another run to burn of excess oil seems to have fixed it...   :)

I did suspect the fuel and that would have been the next course of action.

Lesson learned: if it has to go on it's side; air filter UP

[tomatoada]

Many thanks for taking the trouble to reply so quickly.  Hope your nerves have recovered.  So the tillar has to be kept upright when transported.  I will be carrying mine so will probably have to fold the handles down. 

[Ant]

it is easier to carry with the handles folded down anyway, lower centre of gravity and easier to put down if you need a rest :)

If it does have to go on its side, then air filter side up is the way. It is only a short trip to the plot in the car, but that was enough to drain the oil the wrong way.

[hippydave]

good to hear you got it working,  you just need to christen it on the plot now :D

[tomatoada]

Can you let us  how good it is when you have tried it?  Thanks.

[Ant]

I have used it before. We have had it since Christmas and it had been used 4 times already.

Great little machine. Really good for breaking up hard ground. Also used it on fellow plot holders plot to mix his manure in.

I haven't tried the border edger thing, might try that this weekend.

[tomatoada]

Thanks again for reply.  So you would buy it again?  Any tips on where to buy a petrol container, and what size.

[Ant]

I don't know, only had it a couple of months so would give a better verdict after a year or so of ownership... probably though as it is very useful.

Petrol container I just got from the petrol staion, it is only a 5 litre plastic one. Any bigger and you need a metal one.

[Two Choices]

Well done Ant, an engineer and a scientist. You fixed your mantis and proved adrenalin is brown all at the same time ;D ;D ;D

[kt.]

Reading the title had me at panic stations for a moment there.  Only bought mine last month and have not used it yet.  Feel better now....  just getting a can from the fridge to calm my nerves ;D ;D