Engine Running Problem
#1
Briggs 3.5 hp
Let a guy work on this thing for running only with the choke closed. He got it running without having to choke it by hand, but it still runs with the choke closed only. I told him I thought it should flutter or only be closed as the rope is being pulled then open up. He said, "not on these plastic carbs." Uh? I thought everyone I had ever worked on did the way I described. I think he also ran the idle screw up to get it to stay running. It also overheats. I think he should have soaked the carb in something rather than just try to blow it out. I think he should have checked the fuel pickups for restrictions and changed if need be. I also think he should have checked the exhaust for the overheating problem.
Comments?
P.S. I thought I would try this guy out on a couple, but I did not have much confidence in him to start with. I will post another little thing about another mower he worked on.
Comments?
P.S. I thought I would try this guy out on a couple, but I did not have much confidence in him to start with. I will post another little thing about another mower he worked on.
#2
Along with cleaning the carb, the having to tun on choke problem and the overheating problem may be just a very lean running engine. Did you try backing the adjustment screw on the carb out?
#3
You are right...the overheating and running on choke only are caused by lean-running. The guy is full of it...no engine is supposed to run on choke only. If the carb is plastic, then soaking it is not much of an option, but cleaning it with carb cleaner and replacing the diaphragm as well as checking the pickup tubes should cure it.
#4
I haven't done anything to it yet, except cut some high grass. I need to get a blade extention to drop the blade for regular grass cutting. I did think of the lean running condition though. I will go through it and redo what I paid him to do. I was hoping there was some kind of product to soak plastic carbs in. I know the regular parts cleaner I have would eat it up. He was supposed to have cleaned and rebuilt the carb. If he did, he did not get it clean enough. I think this guy ia about one brick shy of a full load. Heheh, I guess he thinks my elevator does not go quite to the top either. Anyway, it is worth the few dollars it cost to find a crooked/inept "mechanic" out.