QuestionQUESTION: I lack small-engine experience, but also due to lack of time and need of tilling before freeze, sent 8 h.p briggs and stratton engine t-b horse model (195437) tiller to service. they performed an air cleaner change, fuel filter change, oil change, carb rebuild (anticipated) and shear pin replacement (not anticipated). On firing up machine and tilling, the engine just killed. first i thought maybe I was overworking the tines, but it killed even in good, wel-worked soil, then i thought not enough gas in tank or something to do with fuel line and the angle of the machine but I checked the tank and there's 2"in there and I monitored the fuel in the fuel filter and it never runs out. Then it occurred to me it was a timed thing as it seemed to just go out on its own. i did some testing yesterday, just running it back and forth in the yard (no tilling) and the times vary, 21 seconds, 45 seconds, 73 seconds. Any ideas?
ANSWER: Hello Tom:
>>From your Description it Sounds like the Carburetor Mixture Screws Require a Slight Tweeking Due to them being Set too Lean for the Engine when Under a Load.
>>Send me the Model and Type or Spec Numbers Off the Engine, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. The Model Numbers May be Stamped Into the Blower Housing (metal engine cover) Above the Spark Plug or the Muffler. Many horizontal shaft, overhead valve engines have these numbers stamped into the OHV rocker cover. However, on certain overhead valve powered generators, the equipment manufacturer installs a decorative chrome rocker cover OVER the Briggs cover. If your engine has a decorative cover, it may be necessary to remove it in order to locate the Model, Type, and Code. If this is a Briggs and Stratton Engine, then you can Also Use this Site Addy; http://www.briggsandstratton.com/maint_repair/BS_modeltypecode.pdf for Assistance in Locating the Model, Type and Code Numbers of a Briggs and Stratton Engine.
>>If this Engines Carburetor has 1 or 2 Mixture Screws, then Turn the Screw/s Counterclockwise 1/4 Turn and then Operate the Unit.
>>With the Engines Information I Requested, I will be Able to Refer you to a Picture that Shows the Screw/s Location.
>>Thanks.
>>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 Season 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 Now Accepted Anytime. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
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QUESTION: Model = 195437
Type = 0150 01
Code = 81042912
turned the "power adjustment needle" (comes off bottom of bowl at 45 degree angle) 1/4 turn counter-clockwise, did not seem to make a difference. Turned it back to original position, than 1/4 turn clockwise - killed as soon as I put it into gear.
ANSWER: Hello Again Tom:
>>Thanks for the Model Numbers.
>>You can View a Breakdown/IPL of this Engine at this Site Addy, http://www.outdoordistributors.com/ and Select "Click Here For The Parts Menu". Then Select B. Then Select Briggs. Then Select "Click Here If You Don't Have Your Part Numbers". Now Select the File (using the first 1 or 2 Numbers of your Model Number) for your Model. Select the File #19 and then the Sub File #195400.
>>After Viewing the Breakdown of this Unit and Knowing you Just had the Carburetor Serviced,
>>I Suggest you Return this Unit to the Service Center and have them Soak and Clean the Carburetor Again.
>>If the Carburetor was Cleaned Properly, there is No Reason to be Having Problems and Opening the Mixture Screw should have Allowed More Gas Into the Air/Gas Mixture and Solved the Problem.
>>You can Try Tapping (Lightly) on the Carburetor Body to make Sure the Carburetor Float Needle Valve and Float are Not Stuck.
>>Now Hold you Palm Over the Carburetor Thoat and Try to Start the Engine.
>>When you Feel the Pull of Suction, Remove your Hand and Start the Engine.
>>It is Possible that there is Water or Trash in the Internal Passage of the Carburetor Body and Sometimes doing this will Suck it through the Passage and Correct this Problem.
>>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 Season 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 Now Accepted Anytime. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
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QUESTION: thank you for all your help, you're quite prompt too!
I took a look at it again today, tapped the bowl lightly a few times, did not do the "hand over the throttle body pull" as I did not know where there was any opening for me to do that w/o taking parts off. Ran it a bit and same problems. I can remove the carb and soak it clean it but I hesitate to do anything more considering the history of this now, may be best to take it into a shop. I do NOT ever intend to take anything back to the shop I had it at, as I am very disappointed with them, even before this latest. There is a shop near here that deals in all kinds of small engine repairs and I may give them a try.
One other thing I noticed today - when it first starts to kill, if I put it out of gear and decrease the throttle, I can get it to keep running, at least for a while. I don't suppose that helps diagnose any though?
AnswerHi Tom:
>>I Understand How You Feel about Not Removing Any Parts from the Engine as you Say you are Not Mechanically Minded.
>>Many People Feel the Same as you when it comes to Small Engines and Some are that Way about Anything Mechanical.
>>Your Further Observations about the Engine still Points to a Problem with the Carburetor.
>>Most Small Engine Shops are Honest and Do Try to Repair the Equipment Properly, but as in Every Business, you have the Few that Simply want to Make Money and Don't Care about their Customers.
>>How these Type of Business Owners Survive is Beyond me.
>>Good Luck at the New Shop.
>>Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
>>Till Next Time. May All Your Mechanical Problems be SMALL ONES and as Always, May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Respectfully
jbridger (John)
