Briggs and Stratton Engine problems

My front tiller was hard to start after sitting for only 2 months. At first it would only run for 2-3 seconds after start, unless the choke was immediately released. I tilled for 30 minutes or so and the engine sputtered and died 5-10 times during that period.


The next day, after replacing a nasty spark plug It would only crank over with the choke fully on, then sputter and die within a minute. With the tiller tilted back on it's handles it starts right away and runs smooth as can be while choked, but still sputters and dies when the choke is released, or if you tilt it back to level. The gas tank is over half full.


Briggs and Stratton Model 134202 Type 1118 E1

 

Well, it sounds like either the carb needs cleaning, and/or the bowl is rusted through. I'd try cleaning the carb by spraying carb cleaner through all passages. If that doesn't work, take the carb off and then you can inspect the bowl.

 

thanks, tried the carb cleaner and no luck.

here is i video of my results. Tiller - YouTube

do you know where I can find teardown manual or exploded view?

 

Did you actually take the carb apart and clean it out, or just spray it like shown in the video? Spraying at it won't clean it. Take the fuel pump cover off the side and spray through the holes there, take the jet or needle out of the other side of the carb and clean it and the hole it fits into.

 

Don't be nervous about taking the carb off the engine and taking it apart. It's simpler than it sounds. Just snap some pictures of linkages so you can properly hook up the throttle and choke and snap more pictures as you disassemble to help you remember how things go back together. Also, replacement parts for the carb. are commonly available and pretty cheap.

 

so i pulled the carb off the gas tank and it doesn't seem clogged up. I sprayed cleaner through every hole I could find and nothing presented any resistance. Am I not doing enough? Here are some pics:



I'm sure youe can tell but the hole on the left is where the exhaust valve went:

Here is the top of the gas tank where the carb attached, and I believe that is the bowl fastened to the inside:


I am hesitant to order new gaskets and reassemble as it seems like something else may be the cause. Someone mentioned a possible bad exhaust valve. If nothing changed after I removed the exhaust valve, shouldn't that cancel it out?

 

Pull and twist the plastic tube with the screen on it until it comes off, then clean out the screen and the tube it goes on. Replace the fuel pump diaphragm and gasket and make double sure the little brass jet that goes into the bowl is clear with a piece of wire. Remove the parts in group 118 in the above illustration and clean them and the port behind it.

 

Is that gas pick up tube in good shape?

My GF's son has gas string trimmer that had the same symptoms as yours. We took the gas cap cover off to see if the tank was dirty. I pulled the primer and main fuel line out of the tank and they both crumbled in my hands like dry paper.

You can thank ethanol for that!

 

thanks again cheese, after looking at the new diaphragm i'm sure that was the issue. either way the carb has been thoroughly cleaned and it's running fine now. I appreciate the many replies until I had it figured out!