Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 5hp b&s 136200 pulse jet type wont start without starting fluid, briggs and stratton, briggs and stratton engines

Question
I have a go cart that I replaced the diaphram , needle and spring checked pickup that stickes down in tank blow and suck on tube seems to make the diaphram pump to work. I put in a little gas or starting fluid engine will start and run then die unless I put more gas down carb to kepp it running
I am lost Help!!

Thanks

kenny

Answer
kenny

This is probably the most common problem you are likely to encounter. The cause is very often the same - lack of maintenance.

Note that the assumption here is that it cranks - the crankshaft and blade rotates in a normal manner but the engine never catches. Some larger (Briggs and Stratton) engines may have a low-oil cutoff switch which will stop the engine if the oil level is inadequate.

# Number of priming cycles: The instructions on priming are often optimistic. In colder weather, twice as many presses of the primer may be necessary. However, over priming and flooding is also possible. Don't overdo it.

# Condition of gasoline: Old or contaminated gas will make any engine harder to start. If the problem is with an engine using last year's gas, drain the old gas completely and dry out the residue in the fuel tank if possible. If debris or water is found in the old gas, the carburetor may need to be drained and cleaned as well. Then add fresh gas (not from the batch sitting in the can since last year!). In cold weather, the water can turn to ice inside the carburetor float bowl causing all sorts of problems including flooding of the engine.
If no maintenance was done at the end of the last time stored (or whatever) reason, the first time the engine is started may be tough. However, this may be a one-time problem. Hopefully, maybe. :) Even if all the recommended maintenance was done, the first start may not be perfect. And, for float-type carburetors, after filling the fuel tank, wait a minute or so for the gasoline to fill the float bowl before pulling the cord!

Nowadays, a lot of mower/equipment is using OHV (OverHead Valve) style engines. This in itself causes many starting troubles. These engine use a compression release on the camshaft to allow for easy starting. Once the engine has started and reaches a speed of over 700 rpm, the weight on the compression release swings out and allows the engine to gain full compression and full power. After awhile, the valve lash/clearance begins to widen and the first thing that goes wrong is the compression release doesn't work properly causing the engine to drag which may sound to some as a dead or dying battery. I'm sure there are untold thousands of people that have replaced batteries, solenoids, starters, switches, etc., only to find themselves going to a repair shop and letting a trained mechanic do what is a simple maintenance adjustment.