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Author Topic: Calling on small engine expertise  (Read 1780 times)

Hutch

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Calling on small engine expertise
« on: April 20, 2009, 09:20:22 AM »
Guys, my tiller won't go.  5.5hp OHV Briggs&Stratton side shaft engine.  I can pour a little gas in the carb throat, and it will run for a bit (10 sec), but quits.  When it's running, it sounds juuuuuuust fine.  Then governor starts oscillating the RPMs and it quits.  I have pulled the gas line off the input to the carb, and fuel flows pretty freely.

Any ideas?
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Nick1911

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2009, 09:37:04 AM »
Sounds like a clogged carburetor.
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charby

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2009, 09:55:57 AM »
Quote from: Nick1911 on April 20, 2009, 09:37:04 AM
Sounds like a clogged carburetor.

Dirty jets
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Nick1911

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2009, 10:00:50 AM »
Quote from: charby on April 20, 2009, 09:55:57 AM
Dirty jets

Incidentally, this is one task that I love having an ultrasonic cleaner for.  It can mechanically force solvents through tiny little carb passages.  =)
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Leatherneck

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2009, 10:10:09 AM »
Yep. Fuel starvation caused by old/bad gas in the carb jet(s) or float valve. Try this:
1. Bottom out the mixture screws one at a time, counting the number of turns it takes to bottom out (e.g., 1-1/2 or 1-3/4 turns). Write these numbers down.
2. Then unscrew both needles and set aside.
3. Squirt some carb cleaner into each needle hole.
4. Reassemble and try to run.
5. If no joy then remove float bowl, float and note carefully how the needle and spring interact with the float. Squirt some carb cleaner up into the float needle jet.

If this doesn't work, we can try some more advanced things like a carb rebuild.

TC
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Sergeant Bob

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2009, 11:05:26 AM »
Seafoamâ„¢.
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Tuco

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2009, 11:25:41 AM »
What they said.


This reminds me of a quote...

"Carburetors are like women. 
Few men fully understand them, but that doesn't keep us from messing with them."
=D
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Brad Johnson

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2009, 12:37:59 PM »
Before going to a bunch of trouble pulling things apart, pop off the float bowl and hose everything down with carb cleaner (the non-clorinated kind).  Chances are the float is sticking or their is a bug or piece of debris in the orifice.  Happens to me all the time.

Brad
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Tuco

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2009, 12:58:53 PM »
Quote from: Brad Johnson on April 20, 2009, 12:37:59 PM
....a bug or piece of debris in the orifice.  Happens to me all the time.
Brad

BWAAAAAAHAhahahahaha  etc.
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mtnbkr

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2009, 01:14:49 PM »
2CS, you beat me to it. :D

Chris
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Brad Johnson

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2009, 03:27:03 PM »
Oh har-dee-har.  You so funny. *raspberry*

=D

Brad
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It's all about the pancakes, people.
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French G.

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2009, 04:00:07 PM »
Here is an excellent instructional video on small engine repair. http://www.serbu.com/legacy/lawnmwr.htm
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Azrael256

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2009, 04:25:38 PM »
Y'know, a carb rebuild kit might not be a bad idea anyway.  I always seem to find something leaking or dry rotted and sometimes corroded in every small engine that won't start. 
I've been guilty of it only once, but I've had to do a first-day-of-the-season rebuild on my own lawnmower, too.  The one time I didn't clean it up right for winter, it filled completely with goo.
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Jim147

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2009, 11:31:56 PM »
I got tiered of cleaning my carbs. I put Sta-bil in the fuel for all my small engines now.
Saves my bad shoulder and my my ammo.(Yes I have a small engine graveyard, I wouldn't recommend anything less then a .45 for a Kolher.)
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Hutch

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Re: Calling on small engine expertise
« Reply #14 on: April 21, 2009, 09:11:24 AM »
Thanks, guys.  Gotta get the garden tilled this weekend.
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