Export thread

I've cleaned the gas tank, replaced the sparkplug and the carburetor but it won't start unless I remove the air filter (also clean) and spray started fluid directly into the engine. Then it runs fine (without smoking) until I release the kill switch. It won't restart without spraying the starter fluid. I thought the primer bulb might be the problem but it looks to be in good shape. Any suggestions to make this little beast crank and run like it was designed to do? Thank you for reading.

Prof401 said:

replaced the sparkplug and the carburetor

Click to expand...

OEM Briggs carb or Amazon?

Prof401 said:

It won't restart without spraying the starter fluid. I thought the primer bulb might be the problem but it looks to be in good shape.

Click to expand...

Primer sounds like it is not working. Look into the throat of the carb with the choke plate open. Push primer. Should see a small stream of fuel squirting up into the carb.

Prof401 said:

primer bulb might be the problem but it looks to be in good shape

Click to expand...

Parts need to function not "look" like they do something.

Most of the time the air filter housing plate is over torqued which warps the plastic. Or you have a dead primer bulb seal.

Look into the primer bulb. Make sure it primes.

Watch the whole video. Watch at 7:38 for the fuel squirt. This shows the primer working.

slomo said:

OEM Briggs carb or Amazon?

Primer sounds like it is not working. Look into the throat of the carb with the choke plate open. Push primer. Should see a small stream of fuel squirting up into the carb.

Parts need to function not "look" like they do something.

Most of the time the air filter housing plate is over torqued which warps the plastic. Or you have a dead primer bulb seal.

Look into the primer bulb. Make sure it primes.

Click to expand...

Thank you all for the good advice. In my rambling through cyberspace I stumbled across the solution in a YouTube video, "Briggs and Stratton 300e won't prime, runs with starter fluid - Easy fix." I had been pushing the primer bulb 5-7 times but it seems that for this engine you need to push the bulb 10-12 times very rapidly. I did that and it cranked right up! Thanks again for all your help.

Prof401 said:

Thank you all for the good advice. In my rambling through cyberspace I stumbled across the solution in a YouTube video, "Briggs and Stratton 300e won't prime, runs with starter fluid - Easy fix." I had been pushing the primer bulb 5-7 times but it seems that for this engine you need to push the bulb 10-12 times very rapidly. I did that and it cranked right up! Thanks again for all your help.

Click to expand...

Also, his solution is to plug the nipple on the side of the carb.

3 times is all you need on a proper working primer. Unless it's very cold out.