QuestionQUESTION: Had it for 15 years, never any problems till it sat for a year. Now I cant get it to start, but it will start if I prime it with a little gas but it wont continue running. I can guess the engine is fine and wants to run but there is something keeping a continuous supply of fuel flowing.
There is no filter to change that I can see. Any suggestions?
ANSWER: I would bet 20+ years of small engine experience your needing a Carburetor rebuild, especially if it was not stored correctly last year with fuel stabilizer in the fuel system. When your priming it your by-passing the carburetors main jet that does that for the Carburetor itself. Seeing it starts with the prime your telling me the ignition system, and engine as a whole is fine, it just can't draw gas. If you remove the gas line at the carb, and fuel flows good from the tank, then it's the carb. If it doesn't flow good the only other problem could be is the vent in the gas cap isn't open causing the fuel to be come vacuum locked. But my guess is the fuel from last year gummed up in the jets of the carb along with the float needle and it needs a good cleaning and rebuild. If you attempt the rebuild your self, make sure you change the pick-up tube if it has one that goes into the tank, and the diaphragm between the carb and the gas tank. You did not give me a model number so I must assume it is the carb that mounts on the gas tank ......Tom
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QUESTION: Regarding the carb, yes it is mounted on the gas tank. Should a novice attempt? Any online how to instructions? Reasonable price to pay a small engine repair guy?
AnswerThats a tough question as to if a novice should attempt a carb rebuild, it depends on the novices understanding of how the carburetor works, and their own mechanical ability's. To completely rebuild a carb, and do it right means more than just replacing the parts in the rebuild kit. You also have to make sure the circuits and main jet paths are clean and clear. If you don't know where they are you may never spot them. A reasonable price to rebuild it would be around $50-$65. Another big problem is this type of engine is notorious for the gas tank rusting. If there is any in the tank if would be additional to service the gas tank so the pick-up tube doesn't keep pulling up rust and clogging. These tanks have been on back order from Briggs now for 18 months. I have had to bring them to a radiator repair shop to be boiled out and a epoxy coating applied. These tanks also have a foam baffle built into them too, and after time it starts breaking up and falling apart. Without knowing your ability's I'm not able to tell you if you should attempt it, rest assured if you attempt it and you either miss something or run into troubles, you'll pay twice that when you bring it to the shop to straighten it out. I'm sure there are a number of sites with step by step instructions, but I never used them and not sure where to direct you. My opinion would be to bring it by to the shop. I owe a small engine shop, I get 2 or 3 engines in a week that people tried their own rebuilds, and have seen some real messes come in after, sometimes requiring a new carb due to incorrect rebuilding........Tom
