QuestionQUESTION: I've got a Carter Bros gokart with the Tecumseh zs168fb (196cc/6.5hp) engine. I'm thinking one of the adjustments on my carb might have gotten gotten goofed up a little and I'm trying to figure out how to correct it it.
My symptom is the cart is very hard to start, and requires the use of starter fluid in the intake (which makes it very easy to start). Once it is started, it runs pretty well. Once the engine is warm, it can be restarted without the use of the starter fluid....but only by using the rope start, the electric start will not start the kart at all (warm or cold) unless I use the starter fluid. This kart is very new and has fewer than 2 hours on it.
This all started when I was looking at the torque converter area, and my children were 'helping' by poking around the engine with screw drivers. I didn't think they could access anything that would cause a problem, by I might have been wrong. I now see what I think is a plastic idle/air mixture screw clearly accessible from the back of the engine.
What do you think has gotten goofed up?
Thanks,
-Tim
ANSWER: Hello Tim:
>>The Air Mixture Screw/s may be Out of Adjustment or it may be that the Carburetor has an Obstruction in the Pickup Tube or the Internal Passages of the Carburetor.
>>Send me the Make, Model and Type or Spec Numbers Off the Engine, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. These can Usuall be Found Stamped into the Blower Housing (metal engine cover) above the Spark Plug or on the Flat Surface of the Blower Housing on the Carburetor or Muffler Side of the Engine.
>>For Tecumseh there should be a 5 to 6 Digit Number that I Require to Locate the Correct Manual for this Engine.
>>The Following is the Instruction File for Setting the Air Mixture Screws. Any Input is Appreciated. The Procedure is the Same for 1 or 2 Mixture Screws, Just Use the Instruction File and Skip Over the Section with the Missing Mixture Screw ( Usually the H Mixture Screw).
>>Now Setting the Air Mixture Screws:
>>****Turn the Idle Air (L) and Main Air (H) Mixture Screws In Until SNUG **Do Not Jam** Then Reverse Both Screws 1 1/2 Turns. Set the Throttle Full Open, Start the Engine.
>>Turn the Main Air (H) Mixture Screw Clockwise Until Proper Revs are Obtained. **Carefully Use your Finger and Move the Governor Arm to Rev the Engine (on Chainsaws and Trimmers Use the Trigger to Rev the Engine) Until you Reach Max RPMs (on Chainsaws and Trimmers, the RPMs are Not Set to MAX. Set to Max and then Reverse the Setting Screw 1/4 or 1/2 Turn. If the H Mixture Screw is Set too High; the Engine will be Starved for the Oil in the Gas and Damage the Piston and Jug/Cylinder) and the Engine is Running Proper at Full Throttle Up a Grade and for Chainsaws and Trimmers they Do Not Bog Down Under a Load. Occasionally you May have to Turn this Counter Clockwise to Achieve the Proper Revs.**
>>Now Allow the Engine to Idle. Set the Engine Idle Screw (Not Idle Air) so the Engine will Stay Running if Required.
>>Now Set the Idle Air (L) Mixture Screw so there is No Hesitation when Rapidly Throttling from Idle to Full Throttle. Reset the Engine Idle if Required.****
>>If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 3 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Follow Up Questions are Received Anytime. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I think I just realized this isn't a Tecumseh engine like I thought. I originally said Tecumseh because the Carter Bros website lists Tecumseh as the maker for the engine on this gokart. But when I look in the manual and on the engine, I see no indication that it is Tecumseh, also, that part number appears to be made by some tractor manufacturing company in China - Wuhan Huanghe Tractor Factory Co., Ltd.
Sorry if I wasted another of your questions, but thought should clear this up.
AnswerHello Again Tim:
>>This is an Engine that has Just Started Showing up in the Shop within the Past 4 or 5 Months.
>>I have Until, Now, been Putting Off Contacting Them for Manuals and Other Information that is Required for Operating a Fairly Good Service Center.
>>Thanks for Giving me a Reason to Contact them.
>>According to Their Web Site, They will be in Touch with me Within 72 Hours.
>>The Engines we have Seen and Repaired have been Simple Repairs (such as Dirty Carburetors, Filters, Loose Blades and 1 Broken Wheel) and it is Highly Possible the Same is True in Your Case.
>>Anchor the Mower so it Will Not Move when the Starter Rope is Pulled.
>>Remove the Breather and Place the Palm of Your Hand Over the Carburetor Throat and Give the Recoil Starter Handle a Good Hard Pull.
>>It May Take a Few Times of Doing this Before the Obstruction is Pulled through the Choke Passage.
>>If you have Access to Compressed Air, you can take Photo's as you Disassemble the Carburetor and then Blow Out all the Passages and the Jet.
>>Assemble the Carburetor and Set the Air Mixture Screw/s and you should have a Good Running Engine Again.
>>If there is Water or Sometimes Trash Blocking the Passages or the Jet of the Carburetor, this Usually will Pull the Obstruction Through the Passages or Jet and then the Hard Start Problem is Corrected.
>>I Honestly Believe there is Something Blocking the Choke Passage in the Carburetor.
>I Also Think the Kids Playing with Screw Drivers May Just be a Coincidence.
>>I have Trouble Locating Past E-Mails, but Please, Keep in Touch and as Soon as I have More Information on this Engine, I will be More than Happy to Share it with you and the Others that Read Our E-mails.
>>As Always, If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 3 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Follow Up Questions are Received Anytime. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
