I have been trying to get my Poulan riding mower started for about a week. Finally traced the problem to the fuel shut off solenoid on the carb. The wires going to the solenoid have power, but the solenoid does not work when the wires are pluged into it. Hooking the solenoid directly to the battery it will work fine. Both the battery and the solenoid wires have 12 volts, so I can't figure out why the solenoid will not work when wired.

After reading on the internet I decided to replace the solenoid with a bolt with the same thread pattern and install an in line fuel cut off valve to serve the same purpose. The only difference is that I have to remember to turn off the valve when the mowere is not in use. I don't think I will have a problem there. I plan to put a sticker on the key to remind me.

I installed the bolt and shut off valve and the mower started right up with no problem. I let it sit for a few minutes and tried it again just to be sure. I then checked the bolt to see if it was leaking. There was a very small drop of gassoline forming on the bolt head, but none had dripped down yet, so it has a very slow leak. When I installed the bolt I made a gasket by cutting a piece from a thermostat gasket. Apparently this was not good enough.

Could someone tell me what kind of gasket I could use here to stop this leak. Thanks.

Put the solenoid back in and snip the end that shuts off the fuel. It is done fairly often.

Don

I actually thought about that after I posted the question, but it good to have it confirmed by someone else. Thanks

You can put some teflon tape on the bolt tread and put some silicone gasket

Where is the fuel shut off solenoid

Hi,
If this a Briggs engine (ans it probably may be) then you can purchase the plug and gasket to replace the solenoid. Actually can for most Kohlers. One thing to remember is that you must consciously throttle down the engine for a moment before shutdown. Do not and you have a sheared flywheel key somewhere in your future.
Peace,
Clarke