Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Cold start no start, vertical shaft, promblem

Question
hi Eric

i have 3 questions one id like to know why its almost impostible to get my lawn mower started when cold (4 stroke tecumsh engine) when its warm or hot runs perfectly.

2 its a verry rough idler is that a promblem or is it nothing

3 how can a put my verticle crancksharft enngine on a go cart

thanks nathan

Answer
Most of the hard starting on a Tecumseh engine is carb related.  Tecumseh carbs either work really well or do not run right at all.  The first thing we do on Tecumseh engines it drain the fuel, remove, disassemble and clean the carb with compressed air.  This usually solves the problem but sometimes we have to clean the carbs several times.  Check the intake gaskets to make sure they are sealing.

Many of the Tecumseh carb idle rough.  The main thing to check after cleaning the carb is the idle RPM.  You will need a tachometer to check the RPM.

For mounting your engine on a go cart you will need a transmission or a 90 degree gear box so you can mount the engine like it is on your mower and then get power to an axle.  This is much more difficult and more expensive as compared to a horizontal engine.

You can not mount a vertical shaft engine horizontally.  The carb will not work and neither will the engine lulbrication system.

Let me know what you find with the cold starting and rough idling problem.  Make sure you are using fresh fuel, less than 30 days old.

Eric