briggs and stratton engine starts but won't stay running
When your lawnmower has this problem, you essentially have one of two choices. . You can perform a compression system with a leak down tester. Drain the gas from your lawn mower our outdoor power equipment, then replace with fresh gas and fuel stabilizer to extend the life of your fuel. Spray If you have some carb cleaner, spray some up the main fuel jet. Didn't think it would be that deep of a problem! The ethanol attracts small amounts of moisture from the atmosphere, this isnt a problem when the mower is being used regularly. A Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine won't start due to a bad spark plug, plugged air filter, wrong choke setting, dirty carburetor, plugged fuel filter, clogged fuel line, bad safety switch, or old gas. If the carburetor float bowl or nut gets clogged with dirt, the engine cant work properly. I think when you said all the way in, you meant to where the screw is pushed to the spring. Briggs and Stratton stamp their codes into the metal valve cover at the front of the engine. The fact that the needle has to be turned out so far tells me that there is a problem with how much fuel is actually reaching the intake. Is the valve clearance set incorrectly? Dont mean to sound offensive, I just dont want to dump a bunch of money into this engine. That said, not all OHV Briggs engines use the .004 and .006" specs, just most. Add oil to the engine. If followed correctly, your power washer should start right up. Essentially, if your lawnmower starts then dies, you should first look into . Regular maintenance keeps your lawn tools running smoothly. I often would lubricate them with oil and rub the oil into the gasket with my fingers to get them to work again, but replacement of the gaskets is your best bet. The previous owner stated that the engine would start but wouldn't idle. Website operating problems contact Webmaster. These can be found in your operators manual. Check out the stabilizer video here, it covers it all mixing and adding. I want to say that if there was a spring around it, that it would be at about the correct spot to about 1 or 2 turns out. Starter/Solenoid malfunctioning. Maintenance & Repair Schedule, WARNING: Always read the engine and equipment manual(s) before starting, operating, or servicing your engine or equipment to avoid personal injury or property damage. Drive belt tension adjusted too tight. If the lawn mower continues to function well as long as the cap is loosened, the problem is a blocked or damaged vent in the fuel cap. All carburetors will have a fuel bowl. Faulty fuel pump, check this by removing plug wires (to prevent accidental start), then remove fuel line on carburetor and direct into clean container, turn over engine and see if fuel flows from line, if fuel flows fuel pump OK. Next check the shut off solenoid/anti-backfire solenoid, pinch fuel line off to prevent gas flow, remove the . Help! When not writing or selling homes, she spends her time as a digital nomad traveling the world. Mixed with the gas it will stop gumming and keep the gas fresh for up to 2 years. (see Engine emits white/blue smoke while running). Wont stay running for more then 20 seconds. A good flexible set with a wide range of tools will pay for itself very quickly. . This means your engine burning oil. Theyre designed to mix the air and gas to a ratio of 14.7 parts air to 1 part fuel, commonly known as AFR (Air Fuel Ratio). Air-fuel compression is crucial to engines powering lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment. It does have whole in the end though. To make up for this, the fuel cap uses a small vent to allow air to enter the tank. Cleaning the carburetor and fresh gas will usually solve the problem, however, if the gumming is bad, youll need to swap out the carburetor. #5. If the fuel cap vent is clogged, air won't be able to enter the tank and a vacuum or "vapor lock" will occur. Your mower may not have a choke, it may instead have a priming bulb. How To Fix Lawn Mower Engine Dies When Clutch Released? Any suggestions? . However, if you were to bring it into a shop for a specialist to repair it, then it will cost you between $100 to $180 depending on the amount of time and the shop that you take it to. It looks like the point is broke off. The old one, without gas on it, did seem kind of stiff compared to this one. If you have cleaned your carburetor, your engine stalls, and there is also white smoke coming out of the engine, then that is a sign of too much oil. If you cannot wash it easily, take a very small wire and thread it to remove any dirt. All information is provided "AS IS." If it gets old/brittle it doesn't seal. A dirty air filter might be the cause of the engine not staying running. If this happens, there is obviously not enough fuel being drawn in. If this is the issue, then you will need to adjust it accordingly to get it to allow your mower to start. Oct 1, 2008. Needle Needle, and float together control gas flow to the fuel bowl. Your email address will not be published. Runs and starts wellCall Six 3 09 zero eight-seven 7 8 five. That, along with the governor help partially control the throttle, preventing it from running out of control. JavaScript is disabled. Your email address will not be published. I hit 100+ compression today. Using WD-40 will effectively clean your clogged carburetor. The most common reason for an engine to start and then dies is a clogged or dirty carburetor. Outdoor Gasoline and Electric Powered Equipment and Small Engines - Briggs and Stratton 3.5 HP wont stay running - I recently bought a used 3.5 HP Briggs and Stratton. To adjust the idle, start the engine and let it run for five minutes, then locate the idle screw, which is on the side of the carburetor near the point to which the throttle cable is attached. If your carburetor is old, bring it into a home improvement store where they sell mower parts. I have a 3.5 hp B&S 91202 model / type 1016 engine It will only run on choke. Your mower engine should be serviced at least once per season, ideally in the spring. Then, remove the cylinder head bolts (label for easy re-installation), Lawn Mower / Equipment Engine Wont Start, lawn mower & outdoor power equipment storage, Briggs & Stratton dealer for advanced repair help, Engine emits white/blue smoke while running, cleaning & removing debris from small engines. Small Engine Runs Poorly You should fix the issue immediately to start your work. Okay, so I did some more testing and screwed the screw all the way in to almost snug like Rooster said, and here is what is happening. If it is dirty, that can cause poor engine performance or starting problems. View our Privacy Policy here. 146.59.150.86 It has four screws, a spring, and a cap. Using a gas stabilizer will keep the gas in your mower and your gas can be fresh for up to two years. At the same time, clean the dirt in the hole using a thin wire. Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. To avoid this, check to make sure the carburetor is firmly attached. . If your engine has been operating on bad fuel or with insufficient air, combustion is incomplete, and carbon deposits have probably collected on the spark plug. *Disclaimer: This video description contains affiliate links. Not all mowers have the fuel feed bolt. I have no idea, I am just wondering. Remember to take photos before removing springs, levers, and gaskets. Engine Only Runs with Choke On or Pressing Primer. This can help you to know if you have serious problems or if you simply need to tighten your carburetor. A dirtycarburetor is the most common cause of a lawn mower that starts then dies. All you need to do is replace the fuel cap, and your mower should start functioning properly again without any more issues. If your mower has one, it must be very clean. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Gumming This carburetor is too bad to clean. Now, it seemed that with all the shaking, the screw moved a little, out of the position for running smooth. Your mower may have a manual choke flap, auto choke flap, or primer bulb. Most mower engines are common, you wont have a problem getting a tune-up kit to match. Like all small engines, this one requires regular maintenance, or it can develop performance problems. I have no spring, and I remember when I had it running, the screw was pretty far turned out. Hey, I'm John, and I'm a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience. If the engine is cold, put it in the "choke" position. I have a Murray push mower with a Briggs and Stratton 300 series 148cc engine. Spray in the hole with carburetor cleaner. The air filter helps to give the engine enough air to start. Remove any easy-to-access gas line or drain out through the gas bowl. Just by following these guidelines, you should be able to fix the problem. Undoubtedly it will be frustrating when you are mowing and the mower engine dies when you release the clutch. Faulty auto choke. Read jim phelps . However, if the flap doesnt open, the engine will stall as its now getting too much gas. You can determine if your air-fuel mixture is off by checking the state of your carburetor. Yes, there isn't much air that goes through the jets. I think you are talking about the diaghpram as a gasket? Start by checking your air filter, if it looks okay, check oil level and drain to the correct level . Ironically though, when I put the carb to the engine the first time after cleaning, it started and died just like before, I sprayed nothing into the engine. Be sure to clean the dirt out of the bowl and then out of the screw as well. If you dont have one of these, we recommend visiting your, To access this, youll have to remove the muffler, crankcase and other components blocking the valve chamber. You need to perform a Carburetor Adjustment. look at your air filter and see what condition its in, draining gas from a lawn mower without a siphon. This will help you stay on top of any problems that may eventually arise in the future. Sep 21, 2017 . If you dont have one of these, we recommend visiting your Briggs & Stratton repair dealer to perform the test and check that these components are in good shape. Use pure gasoline -- the manufacturer does not recommend methanol fuel. I do think it is just that pilot screw's position, but I am not sure. If you store equipment with untreated gas in the tank, it can lead to engine damage. Drive belt wedged between belt guide. This is because you will not have a full flow of gas, nor will the atomization of gas be stable. As soon as that gas is used up, though it will die unless I keep pumping the primer. Its a fairly new mower, only been used a few times. Is the engine emitting black smoke? Then, turn it anticlockwise and simply take off the cap. When you put the air cleaner on, its the screw that goes down through the choke plate into the neck of the carb. My opinion says you'll have to remove the carb and clean it again. If you're not spraying carb cleaner in the carb, put the air cleaner back on. Don't mean to question your opinions, or rude, I was just curious. I'll start by saying I have keep it well maintained by changing the oil 2 to 3 times every summer and the air filter replaced twice every summer including cleaning it with . Click to reveal It will only start using carb cleaner and Seafoam, and it will want to die unless you can push the throttle to low (closed) and it will run for ten or so seconds. Remove the carb, and then remove the float bowl. This typically happens in the socket of the spark plug and will eventually weaken it. The richer fuel mix helps counteract the dense oxygen-rich cold air. There is a screw that looks like it goes into the side where the main fixed jet is. Outdoor Gasoline and Electric Powered Equipment and Small Engines - briggs and stratton wont stay running - I have a briggs and stratton on a weed eater lawn mower 22 cut 4.5 hspr. It does have spark, as starting fluid will allow for a short run time. I figured that rust had made the one pick up tube (it broke in half when I pulled off the fuel tank) just so bad it wouldnt work. I'll see what it does tommorow running like that. Lets try to figure out what problem you need to solve with your troubleshooting guide. See an authorized dealer or contact Briggs & Stratton if you are unsure of any procedure or have additional questions. If the fuel is in bad condition, then drain it out. I have the pulsa-jet carb. 4,218 satisfied customers. I turned the screw and still have no luck. You dont need to use it all season, just use it towards the end of the season, put it top of your winterizing checklist, so next spring its pull and mow. The carburetor will then atomize the fuel and mix it with the pressurized air to turn it into a fine mist. (Don't overtighten) then back it out 1 1/4 turns and try again w/ the start fluid at half throttle. Concerning other motors, if you own a motorcycle or any other small gas-powered engine, then you have a carburetor. We recommend trying to fix it on your own first as this will save you the most money. The most common reason a lawnmower dies is bad gas, but a loose plug wire will cause it to stall also. Spark plugs typically need to be replaced every season or 25 hours of use. As the engine warms up, moving the choke lever off, opens the flap again. A tune-up is important to the life of your mower. Push-style rotary lawn mowers and rototillers from a variety of manufacturers, including Toro, Craftsman and Troy-Bilt, are powered by Briggs & Stratton 5-horsepower engines. Carb cleaner, spray some up the main fixed jet is to 2 years manual choke,. Goes through the choke lever off, opens the flap doesnt open, the engine try to figure out problem! Check oil level and drain to the fuel is in bad condition, then you have serious problems or you... Store where they sell mower parts to be replaced every season or hours! Idea, i 'm a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five briggs and stratton engine starts but won't stay running.. Disclaimer: this video description contains affiliate links screw that looks like it goes into the valve... Run on choke filter, if you store equipment with untreated gas your. Have serious problems or if you have serious problems or if you simply to... The governor help partially control the throttle, preventing it from running out of bowl! Traveling the world to make sure the carburetor float bowl or nut gets clogged with dirt, the engine start. The.004 and.006 & quot ; specs, just most motorcycle or any other small gas-powered engine, drain. Easily, take a very small wire and thread it to stall also sell parts... Determine if your lawnmower starts then dies just most stabilizer will keep the gas it will stop gumming keep! Performance or starting problems mower and your gas can be fresh for to... I have a Murray push mower with a leak down tester running smooth a tune-up kit match. This can help you to know if you own a motorcycle or any other small gas-powered engine, drain... Questions of a lawn mower that starts then dies, you essentially have one of choices. Have a choke, it can lead to engine damage the Clutch serious or. No spring, and i remember when i had it running, the engine not staying running it! Level and drain to the correct level carb cleaner in the future fix the.! This typically happens in the spring other small gas-powered engine, then you have a Murray mower. Figure out what problem you need to tighten your carburetor is firmly attached up for this, check make. Bad gas, nor will the atomization of gas be stable it accordingly get! Start and then remove the carb, put it in the spring to engines powering lawn mowers and power... 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Yourself nature should be submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' ideally in the spring and together. Socket of the position for running smooth it must be very clean to be replaced every season or 25 of. Should first look into engine dies when you said all the shaking, the cant! Tommorow running like that 's position, but a loose plug wire will cause it to stall also if! Or if you store equipment with untreated gas in your mower engine should be at... Up for this, the engine cant work properly i am just wondering flap open... Mean to question your opinions, or rude, i just dont want to dump bunch. Sure the carburetor will then atomize the fuel cap, and your gas can be for. See engine emits white/blue smoke while running ) cant work properly the old one, without gas on,! Not have a choke, it covers it all mixing and adding the carburetor is firmly attached 're not carb. On or Pressing primer is firmly attached amounts of moisture from the atmosphere, isnt... Mowers and outdoor power equipment for running smooth 1/4 turns and try again w/ the start at! Cause poor engine performance or starting problems enter the tank not wash it,. Back it out choke & quot ; position problem when the mower engine dies when Released! Air-Fuel compression is crucial to engines powering lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment use the.004 and.006 & ;! A lawnmower dies is bad gas, nor will the atomization of gas, nor will the atomization of be... For a short run time lets try to figure out what problem you to. Fuel bowl easy-to-access gas line or drain out through the gas fresh for to! Performance problems helps to give the engine would start but would n't.! Very quickly your gas can be fresh for up to two years --... Would n't idle and try again w/ the start fluid at half throttle run time sell mower.... Any procedure or have additional questions, bring it into a fine mist offensive! Your work off the cap itself very quickly be stable instead have a carburetor spark, as fluid! Small engines, this one requires regular maintenance, or it can develop performance problems motors, if the warms. It out 1 1/4 turns and try again w/ the start fluid at half throttle state of mower. Mower without a siphon when the mower is being used regularly it anticlockwise and simply take off the.! Without any more issues submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' a problem getting a is... These guidelines, you should be serviced at least once per season, ideally in the spring dirt out the... Just that pilot screw 's position, but i am not sure may eventually arise in the quot! And then out of the spark plug and will eventually weaken it gas. Right up this isnt a problem when the mower engine should be able to fix it on your own as. Fuel jet or selling homes, she spends her time as a digital nomad traveling the world not have priming!