17.5 Intek B&S Engine failure
#1
17.5 Intek B&S Engine failure
My Troy-Bilt riding lawnmower went south (died out) and it appears to have gas in the oil
(17.5 HP Briggs OHV) . The lawnmower is only 2 seasons old. The oil level was quite high. It Smokes like mad and there is gas/oil in the muffler. Cranks and runs fine but as I said smokes like crazy. I am guessing rings are shot.
Anybody have any ideas what/how hard it is to fix this and how common is this for this motor? I have auto experience but really have no knowledge of small engine repair.
I am debating on taking it to a small engine repair place if it is
too much of a pain to fix. If I can do it w/o a manual and can find
the parts easy then so be it. I looked it over and does not seem to be too tough since I understand how a combustion engine works.
I just bought this thing recently...rats.
Thanks,
Charles
(17.5 HP Briggs OHV) . The lawnmower is only 2 seasons old. The oil level was quite high. It Smokes like mad and there is gas/oil in the muffler. Cranks and runs fine but as I said smokes like crazy. I am guessing rings are shot.
Anybody have any ideas what/how hard it is to fix this and how common is this for this motor? I have auto experience but really have no knowledge of small engine repair.
I am debating on taking it to a small engine repair place if it is
too much of a pain to fix. If I can do it w/o a manual and can find
the parts easy then so be it. I looked it over and does not seem to be too tough since I understand how a combustion engine works.
I just bought this thing recently...rats.
Thanks,
Charles
#2
Did you ever tip over this mower to get under the blade housing? If you did and it was tilted toward the direction of the carb to long, oil could have run into the carb. It is also possible that you overfilled the engine with too much oil.
Anyway, I can tell you how to correct this but it does not mean it will not do it again depending on what your answer is for my above question. The first thing you need to do is take your carburetor off of the engine, and open it up and clean every nook and cranny including jets float needle valve seat. Every thing on there really well. To get it clean well use gumout spray along with a soft tiny clean brush or clean cloth/rag. After cleaning everything really well, install the carb back onto the engine. Do not start the engine yet. Remove the air filter and replace it. Most likely you have oil in it. After doing that it would also be a good idea to replace the sparkplug. After doing that drain all of the oil out of the engine, it is probably contaminated with gas. After doing that replace with the recommended oil for your engine. Usually it is "SAE 30" After doing all of that, then you can start the engine and it should run like a charm. After you are done with all of this let us know how it goes!
Don't forget aftor you install the carb to make sure you get the mixture set right. When you get the carb back on, tighten the mixture screw all the way till seated then back it off 1/2 turn.
Anyway, I can tell you how to correct this but it does not mean it will not do it again depending on what your answer is for my above question. The first thing you need to do is take your carburetor off of the engine, and open it up and clean every nook and cranny including jets float needle valve seat. Every thing on there really well. To get it clean well use gumout spray along with a soft tiny clean brush or clean cloth/rag. After cleaning everything really well, install the carb back onto the engine. Do not start the engine yet. Remove the air filter and replace it. Most likely you have oil in it. After doing that it would also be a good idea to replace the sparkplug. After doing that drain all of the oil out of the engine, it is probably contaminated with gas. After doing that replace with the recommended oil for your engine. Usually it is "SAE 30" After doing all of that, then you can start the engine and it should run like a charm. After you are done with all of this let us know how it goes!
Don't forget aftor you install the carb to make sure you get the mixture set right. When you get the carb back on, tighten the mixture screw all the way till seated then back it off 1/2 turn.
#3
Very good info Thanks!
I went overboard fearing damage. As a matter of fact, the blades were removed last weekend as they need sharpening. It is quite possible I tilted it over towards the carb although i tried to jack it up and level. I am positive I did not over fill it. However, I left the gas in it for the winter as it set. Possible it seaped thru?
I have removed the plug, drained the oil, and gas, I have the filter off and plan to follow your instructions on the carb part tomorrow. I am letting it all drain overnight. Additionally, i need to pick up the oil filter, spark plug, oil and an air filter.
Seeing how the engine is not cheap to replace, I will take better care of it. I'll ley you know how it goes, but it may take time to tell if the problem reoccurs.
Thanks again for the thorough reply,
Charles
I went overboard fearing damage. As a matter of fact, the blades were removed last weekend as they need sharpening. It is quite possible I tilted it over towards the carb although i tried to jack it up and level. I am positive I did not over fill it. However, I left the gas in it for the winter as it set. Possible it seaped thru?
I have removed the plug, drained the oil, and gas, I have the filter off and plan to follow your instructions on the carb part tomorrow. I am letting it all drain overnight. Additionally, i need to pick up the oil filter, spark plug, oil and an air filter.
Seeing how the engine is not cheap to replace, I will take better care of it. I'll ley you know how it goes, but it may take time to tell if the problem reoccurs.
Thanks again for the thorough reply,
Charles
#4
Aftor you get it started again. You might notice it smoking again, if it is, that is most likely normal. The main thing to tell if it is normal is if it clears up between 5 seconds to 30 seconds. I remember times when I changed my oil and it did that. It cleared up and never happened again. Always remember if there is gas in your oil, that is a bad thing. That all probably happened if you tilted the mower the wrong direction or filled it to high. Aftor you take those steps everything should be operational again. Cheese will be making a reply soon as well.
#5
Hello Charles!
Terminator is right. Your engine is probably still fine. The gas thins the oil so badly that it gets past the rings and burns, hence the smoke. The reason for the gas in the oil is a leak in the carburetor. You'll need to remove the float bowl and the float and needle. Make sure the float doesn't have gas in it. (probably doesn't...plastic floats seldom fail). Replace the needle, and soak the end of a Q-tip with automotive carb cleaner and swab out the inlet port where the needle goes. This should stop the carb leak. Then, before starting it, drain the gas-thinned oil and refill with SAE30 and replace the oil filter if equipped. Then start it up. It will smoke for a short while, less than 5 minutes. If it stops smoking, all is well. Make sure the air filter is not soaked with oil.
Let us know how it goes!
Terminator is right. Your engine is probably still fine. The gas thins the oil so badly that it gets past the rings and burns, hence the smoke. The reason for the gas in the oil is a leak in the carburetor. You'll need to remove the float bowl and the float and needle. Make sure the float doesn't have gas in it. (probably doesn't...plastic floats seldom fail). Replace the needle, and soak the end of a Q-tip with automotive carb cleaner and swab out the inlet port where the needle goes. This should stop the carb leak. Then, before starting it, drain the gas-thinned oil and refill with SAE30 and replace the oil filter if equipped. Then start it up. It will smoke for a short while, less than 5 minutes. If it stops smoking, all is well. Make sure the air filter is not soaked with oil.
Let us know how it goes!
#6
Finished and Fixed!
I followed the instructions and it worked. I had to make 2 runs to get all that I needed and Lowe's had the air/oil filters.
The carb was much easier to take apart than I had though it would be.
Cranked it up and it blew smoke from the residual gas/oil in the muffler and then cleared up. I am keeping an eye on the level and it looks good. It actually runs much smoother
Two more things:
I thought about adding a shut off valve in the fuel line before the filter to keep it off when not in use. Good idea? The mower is a troy-bilt that does not come with a shut off for the fuel line.
I soaked the outer foam in oil as instructed for the air filter pre-filter... this is correct I hope?
Thanks Again,
Charles
http://www.plymouthlaser.com
The carb was much easier to take apart than I had though it would be.
Cranked it up and it blew smoke from the residual gas/oil in the muffler and then cleared up. I am keeping an eye on the level and it looks good. It actually runs much smoother
Two more things:
I thought about adding a shut off valve in the fuel line before the filter to keep it off when not in use. Good idea? The mower is a troy-bilt that does not come with a shut off for the fuel line.
I soaked the outer foam in oil as instructed for the air filter pre-filter... this is correct I hope?
Thanks Again,
Charles
http://www.plymouthlaser.com
#7
That is a very good idea. And it is a very simple method to install. I would defenetly purchase one of those. Certain tractors have problems with that kinda thing if they do not have a fuel cut off.
Congradulations on getting your mower working again!
Congradulations on getting your mower working again!
#8
Glad to hear you got it fixed!
The fuel shutoff is a good idea. It should not be needed, however, if the carburetor is right. If the carb ever leaks again, and the shutoff valve is turned off, it won't fill the engine with gas though.
The pre-filter is supposed to be soaked with oil and then wrung out. (there should be an oily film on it, but not enough to squeeze any out of it).
The fuel shutoff is a good idea. It should not be needed, however, if the carburetor is right. If the carb ever leaks again, and the shutoff valve is turned off, it won't fill the engine with gas though.
The pre-filter is supposed to be soaked with oil and then wrung out. (there should be an oily film on it, but not enough to squeeze any out of it).
#9
No tipping here
I see this thread is old but I have basically the same problem. I mowed with it one night and all was fine. The next day it would not start and found the cylinder full of gas. I got the gas out of the cylinder and fired it up. No smoke until I throttled up and put the deck in gear. That is when it blew smoke like crazy and died. I let it set for a minute and it fired right back up. At idle no smoke, but as soon as it went full throttle and deck in gear, same thing- smoke and died. Took it back to the place we bought it and explained it to them and he said it was about the third one this year that has had that problem. Something about some solenoid on the carb letting gas in the cylinder - ( a briggs problem he stated). Turns out he couldn't fix it and got sent else where. That was a month ago and found out today that they said there was dirt in the gas tank and it got into the carb and ruined the motor!
WTF?? Sounds like Bull Sh*t to me. Thought I would see what the doityourself community thought. Sorry so long. BTW- This mower is less than 2 years old. Bought it 8-8-02
WTF?? Sounds like Bull Sh*t to me. Thought I would see what the doityourself community thought. Sorry so long. BTW- This mower is less than 2 years old. Bought it 8-8-02
#10
Mine is still ok. Although I did add an in-line shut off on the incoming fuel line. I switch it off once parked. This will keep the gas from seeping in while sitting I guess. the oil level is still good since the shut off was added.
BTW, my mower is about the same age (2 Years) and I feel there is no excuse for having any issues with a young mower. I bought mine second hand so i must maintain it myself.
Anyway, I would suggest drain the oil and do the same thing I did (oil/air filter, plug, etc.).
Charles
BTW, my mower is about the same age (2 Years) and I feel there is no excuse for having any issues with a young mower. I bought mine second hand so i must maintain it myself.
Anyway, I would suggest drain the oil and do the same thing I did (oil/air filter, plug, etc.).
Charles
#11
tas113;
I believe the shop your working with is feeding you a line. Your engine sounds like it may have a blowen head gasket and if it is dirt in the gas wouldn't cause it. If your engine is less then 2 years old it may still be under warrantee. Be sure to take your engine to a B&S dealer and have them to check it over.
If there is dirt in the gas a engine will give you a problem like the one that started the thread before the engine is nuined. The solinoid shouldn't have went bad unless there was water in the fuel to rust it.
roger
I believe the shop your working with is feeding you a line. Your engine sounds like it may have a blowen head gasket and if it is dirt in the gas wouldn't cause it. If your engine is less then 2 years old it may still be under warrantee. Be sure to take your engine to a B&S dealer and have them to check it over.
If there is dirt in the gas a engine will give you a problem like the one that started the thread before the engine is nuined. The solinoid shouldn't have went bad unless there was water in the fuel to rust it.
roger