Bought a Bolens 31cc tiller at Lowes on Saturday.

Get it home, start it up. It starts and idles fine. I start tilling with it and the engine bogs and dies after about 45 seconds of WOT.

I restart, it idles fine again, dies after 45 seconds at WOT again.

I should also mention that the tines do move at idle.

I tried adjusting the idle control screw and pretty much backed it out as far as I could go and experienced no difference in the sound of the idle, the speed of the idle or the rotational speed of the tines.

Obviously this is is an idle/too rich situation here but the one adjustment available does nothing.

Any ideas?

It is a BL410 tiller.

10/18/2011 12:07:05 AM

Using 2 stroke oil in the fuel and mixed it in the right ratio, correct? Checked for air leaks like in the bulb or hose? Make sure the fuel hose hasn't shifted inside the tank and that the inlet is near the bottom so its not sucking in air. Check the air filter or remove it to be sure its not starving your air as well.

I wouldn't worry about the tines not moving at idle since some tillers use a clutch to keep you from having to pull the tiller back even when stopped so long as your engine idle seems right.

[Edited on October 18, 2011 at 12:30 AM. Reason : .]

10/18/2011 12:26:40 AM

I'd be willing to bet that it's got a Zama carburetor on it...and I have found many of these carbs to be horribly untuneable, regardless of how I make sure that all jets, the pump chamber and valves, etc. to be spotless. Never had bad luck on a Walbro though.

10/18/2011 12:51:32 AM

Quote :

"Bought a Bolens 31cc tiller at Lowes on Saturday"

If it is new, take it back.

But yes, sounds like a fuel/air mixture problem. Sounds like air is being introduced to the system somewhere. Will it run at 1/2 or 3/4 speed without bogging down?

either way, take it back

10/18/2011 7:54:14 AM

did you use fresh gas or has it been sitting around a while?

10/18/2011 10:40:41 AM

The gas is a week old. I've checked the ratio and it's as good as I can get it.

If I set it to half choke, idle speed and sound decrease. At WOT though performance isn't the same as full open choke.

10/18/2011 11:02:38 AM

Quote :

"I'd be willing to bet that it's got a Zama carburetor on it...and I have found many of these carbs to be horribly untuneable, regardless of how I make sure that all jets, the pump chamber and valves, etc. to be spotless. Never had bad luck on a Walbro though."

man speaks the truth. i can make a 1/16th of a turn on the main jet and it'll run like shit. zama carbs are notorious for being difficult to get dialed in.

Quote :

"The gas is a week old. I've checked the ratio and it's as good as I can get it. "

sounds to me like there is to much oil in the fuel mix which will create a lean condition causing excessive cylinder temps which will cause the engine to bog and shut off.

Quote :

"I should also mention that the tines do move at idle."

they are not supposed to for safety reasons.

Quote :

"If it is new, take it back."

exactly. don't even mess with the thing. lowe's will accept it back without any issues. there is no reason for you to have to attempt to fix a new tiller. again, take it back and get a new one.

10/18/2011 11:39:43 AM