Small engine troubleshooting

[teddyv]

The other day my lawn mower decided to start sputtering. Initially I thought it was low on gas, so I topped it up, but it still continued to sputter. Perhaps some air got into the line? I also got some fresh gasoline, drained what I could out of the tank and topped up again. I cleaned the air filter somewhat. Still doing the same thing. There is little tweaking that I can do with respect to the choke cables and such. The engine just revs and then tails off, revs again and so on and so on.

It's a pretty basic, cheap, deck-type mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine. The engine manual does not have any troubleshooting items in it for issues like this.

I might bring it in for a service, but I've been considering a new mower for a while, so i don't want to throw money at something if it's not really worth it. I only paid 25 bucks for this one in a second hand sale.

Any thoughts?

[Vhayes]

Sounds like the carburator.

(Washing the grease off my hands now)....

[teddyv]

Get outta here!

[Theophilus]

I'll second the carb thing.

I've managed to "save" a carb using some carb cleaner from NAPA or AutoZone. I disassembled the unit, sprayed carb cleaner on it, and let it set. I also made sure to clean the jet and the needle, as these can get "gunk" on them. (technical term). You can get a carb rebuild kit for just about any B&S engine that will have new gaskets, o rings, and a needle. Of course, you may be out more than $25.00 for a carb rebuild kit, I don't know...

...anyway, if you're a bit handy, you can go this route...and if you fix it, have the joy of being able to say, "Yeah, rebuilt the carb on that baby...runs like a champ now. " (or some such manly phrase). ;-)

[Reynolds357]

The other day my lawn mower decided to start sputtering. Initially I thought it was low on gas, so I topped it up, but it still continued to sputter. Perhaps some air got into the line? I also got some fresh gasoline, drained what I could out of the tank and topped up again. I cleaned the air filter somewhat. Still doing the same thing. There is little tweaking that I can do with respect to the choke cables and such. The engine just revs and then tails off, revs again and so on and so on.

It's a pretty basic, cheap, deck-type mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine. The engine manual does not have any troubleshooting items in it for issues like this.

I might bring it in for a service, but I've been considering a new mower for a while, so i don't want to throw money at something if it's not really worth it. I only paid 25 bucks for this one in a second hand sale.

Any thoughts?

Carb needs cleaning. Ethanol is making the small engine mechanics rich. I would check on a price for a new carb before I had that one cleaned. The last carb I bought was $18.

[teddyv]

Thanks all. I'll look into that.

[Protective Angel]

Unless the briggs engine has switched out the plastic carb, you would be lucky to get it to again.

After 3 new Briggs mowers in 6 years, I bought a Tecumsa with a metal carb. The Briggs warp from heat.

[Reynolds357]

Unless the briggs engine has switched out the plastic carb, you would be lucky to get it to again.

After 3 new Briggs mowers in 6 years, I bought a Tecumsa with a metal carb. The Briggs warp from heat.

Tecumseh went bankrupt. Briggs purchased them. If you have a Tecumseh, you have a Briggs. You actually have the red headed step child of the Briggs line. If buying Briggs, buy Intek or better. The Intek is as low down in the Briggs line as I would want to own.

[TomH]

Two thoughts

Either buy a reel mower,

Or a goat.

[TomH]

One other thought.

Did you run over anything?

Soemtimes, if you hit a rock or stump, you'll crease the flywheel key. Normally, the engine will die and not start again because the timing will be off if the key is sheared. But enough of a hit to just put a mark on the key is enough to make it spit and sputter, throwing the timing off.

[Jollyrogers]

Sounds like it is the Carb. It may need cleaning or it may just have water in the bowl. try taking the bowl off first and dumping it.

If you have to clean it, blow it out with an air gun but watch out for the needle seat. some of the newer ones use a rubber o ring for the needle seat. It is easy to blow that out and loose it.