18hp b&s rider doesn't want to keep running

[No_Smoking]

So I was out cutting my lawn with no problems (at least 45 min) and ran out of gas. Refilled it with maybe a quarter gallon of fresh gas (the gas that was in it originally was old, but still ran fine)
Now It wont stay running. Full choke gets it started, slowly push back in, wants to die.. I can keep it running if I play with the choke on and off.

I tried running it with the air filter off and it seems to spit a little gas. Not sure if thats normal or not.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,

- Joe

 

[WhatTheFukk]

Old gas leaves behind impurities in the carb.If engine runs when choked,sounds like a blockage in the carb.Probably the main jet.As long as you have compression,no burned valves,and no blockage in the fuel supply cleaning out the carb should do the trick.Hard to diagnose without seeing it in person but you can never go wrong with a clean carb.Good luck!

 

[midnite rider]

Try mixing in a little Sea Foam in the gas tank with some fresh gas to help clean it up. I always say to take the pill before you operate. :wink:

 

[pugaltitude]

+1 for the carb clean. When the engine ran out of fuel it possibly then sucked up the dirt at the bottom of the bowl and dirt is stuck in the main jet.
Could be other reasons but try that 1st.

 

[No_Smoking]

thanks guys. I appreciate it.
I will give that a try!

 

[No_Smoking]

Hey guys, im back =)

I have a question regarding the carb rebuild. I'm in the process of putting it back together, but I'm confused on the fuel pump assembly. The carb diagram that I have does not show where to install these really small copper springs. It shows the actual copper spring on the diagram, just not where they go.

There is also a few new parts, that don't look familiar at all. I didn't notice anything similar when I took it apart. For example, the small copper washer, the teal colored sponge, rubber o-ring and the small silver dish

I've included some images
Any advice is appreciated as always =)

update: I was playing around with how things fit, and maybe the washer and teal sponge is a filter of sorts? could this be correct?

 

[No_Smoking]

Ok so the sponge thing and washer is apparently for another part of the carb, so I set those aside and just used the tiny copper springs for the fuel pump.

I put together this step by step guide for other newbies like myself
It's my Opinion, yours may vary!: Step by step how to assemble a fuel pump on a B&S 18HP (422707-1522-01) Overhaul kit #694056

Anyhow, after cleaning out the entire carb and rebuilding it, it ran great for about 30 min before it quit on me again! Right before it died, the engines "purr" would fluctuate between high and low.. if that makes any sense lol. I knew something was off, so I headed back to the garage... when I got close, I lowered the speed to slow, and it died.

Full choke gets it started only for a few seconds then dies. So I'm back to square one.