16 Vanguard no start

mudpie

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2012
Threads
17
Messages
50
16hp Vanguard, horisontal shaft, on a pressure washer, unknown hours.

I've had this for maybe 5 years and I've never had an issue. It starts on the second pull almost always. The last couple days I've been trying to start it and it refuses to run.
I pulled the plugs and tthey look good and have spark, but it looked kind of weak so I put new plugs in it. Still wouldn't start.
Pulled the coils and tested them. They seemed to be within the specs that were in a couple videos I watched.
When I pull the plugs they have fuel on them, but I pulled the carb anyway, drained it, sprayed it with carb cleaner and blew it all out with air. Put it back together and it still won't start.
I thought I'd check the compression and was checking online for the specs. I've seen one post that said it should be 150, another post that said it's impossible to get accurate numbers because of a compression release so anything from 40 to 150 is good, and a third post that said the 16hp Vanguard doesn't have a compression release. My numbers were 150 in one cylinder and 100 in the other. Both numbers were reached after pulling the cord 8-10 times.

I'm at a loss. If I spray some brake cleaner or stating fluid in the carb it'll start and run for a couple seconds. If I keep spraying, it'll keep running. I feel like I'm missing something obvious, but can't think of what. As I said, 5 years and I've had zero issues with this.
Any thoughts appreciated.
 

sgkent

Lawn Addict
Joined
Sep 27, 2017
Threads
35
Messages
1,784
well, your last statement is that it is a fuel problem. How old is your fuel?
 

mudpie

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2012
Threads
17
Messages
50
Not very, but I drained it anyway.
Not sure how this happened, but I'm in the PNW so it rains here at random times. All I can figure is I must have left the gas can sitting out one day, it rained, and I dumped it into the pressure washer. Drained the tank, drained the carb, put fresh fuel in and it started on the second pull.
I knew I was overlooking something obvious. Thanks for the suggestion.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20250413_190502600.jpg
    IMG_20250413_190502600.jpg
    695.3 KB · Views: 1
Last edited:

sgkent

Lawn Addict
Joined
Sep 27, 2017
Threads
35
Messages
1,784
The alcohol in modern fuels is hygroscopic - meaning it pulls moisture from the air. We only use non-ethanol fuel for our garden gear because I got tired of problems from it. And if I won't be using something for half a year or so, I drain the carb and tank, and swab it out if possible.
 
Top