Export thread

Craftsman with B&S runs great for 5 minutes, then dies

#1

S

stevenwbennett

I have a Craftsman mower with a Briggs Quantum motor. It runs great for about 5 minutes, then just dies. Then it won't start again until it cools off. I have cleaned the carburetor bowl and jet, and I ran some Seafoam in the gas tank. Any suggestions?


#2

OutdoorEnvy

OutdoorEnvy

I'd check the air filter and around it to make sure it's not clogged and air is getting through cleanly.

Are you having to prime it a lot before it will start or in between starts?


#3

S

stevenwbennett

OutdoorEnvy said:
I'd check the air filter and around it to make sure it's not clogged and air is getting through cleanly.

Are you having to prime it a lot before it will start or in between starts?
Click to expand...

Air filter is new and everything's clean. I push the primer 5-6 times and it starts right up.


#4

OutdoorEnvy

OutdoorEnvy

So it will only start after you prime it again? If that's the case it might not be getting enough fuel when running and the lines could be clogged or something. If it's running fine and then dies it's usually either starved for air or fuel.


#5

S

stevenwbennett

OutdoorEnvy said:
So it will only start after you prime it again? If that's the case it might not be getting enough fuel when running and the lines could be clogged or something. If it's running fine and then dies it's usually either starved for air or fuel.
Click to expand...

No, it won't start again until it cools off no matter what I do to it.


#6

OutdoorEnvy

OutdoorEnvy

Well I'm out of ideas for my limited knowledge. I bet someone else smarter than me chimes in as I'll be curious as well. I run a B&S Quantum series too so it's peaked my interest if I ever have the same problem.


#7

S

stevenwbennett

OutdoorEnvy said:
Well I'm out of ideas for my limited knowledge. I bet someone else smarter than me chimes in as I'll be curious as well. I run a B&S Quantum series too so it's peaked my interest if I ever have the same problem.
Click to expand...

Yeah, what's weird (to me, with my limited knowledge) is that it starts and runs perfectly, then about 5 minutes later it just suddenly stops, as if you let go of the safety handle. No sputtering, just sudden death.


#8

silver1

silver1

stevenwbennett said:
Yeah, what's weird (to me, with my limited knowledge) is that it starts and runs perfectly, then about 5 minutes later it just suddenly stops, as if you let go of the safety handle. No sputtering, just sudden death.
Click to expand...

Check the fuel tank cap is breathing
- Check that you have the correct heat range spark plug.
- Check that the air flow around the engine/head is clear.
You must check for spark when it will not start to verify that
the coil is ok.
Good luck.


#9

reynoldston

reynoldston

How old is the gas?


#10

Fish

Fish

You need to buy some feeler gauges and check your valve clearences


#11

S

stevenwbennett

reynoldston said:
How old is the gas?
Click to expand...

Brand new.


#12

pugaltitude

pugaltitude

Start at the beginning.

Whats the model, type and code?

I can honestly say iv never used feeler guages on a quantum. :laughing:


#13

AnthemBassMan

AnthemBassMan

Sounds like the carb needs cleaned. Especially the bowl nut/jet. Remove the bolt from the bottom of the carb with a 1/2" wrench or socket. But first either drain the gas, or clamp the line shut. Then take a small, stiff piece of copper wire or a small paper clip and run it through the two holes in the bolt at the base of the threads, and also down the center of it. Then give it a few good shots of carb cleaner to finish it off. Put the bowl back on and tighten the nut. Refill with fuel and give it a pull or two...

L8R,
Matt


#14

Fish

Fish

pugaltitude said:
Start at the beginning.

Whats the model, type and code?

I can honestly say iv never used feeler guages on a quantum. :laughing:
Click to expand...

Wow!!!! Laughing????


#15

Fish

Fish

So you have never worked on a Quantum????


#16

S

stevenwbennett

pugaltitude said:
Start at the beginning.

Whats the model, type and code?
Click to expand...

12H802 - 2639-B1 00090756


#17

S

stevenwbennett

AnthemBassMan said:
Sounds like the carb needs cleaned. Especially the bowl nut/jet. Remove the bolt from the bottom of the carb with a 1/2" wrench or socket. But first either drain the gas, or clamp the line shut. Then take a small, stiff piece of copper wire or a small paper clip and run it through the two holes in the bolt at the base of the threads, and also down the center of it. Then give it a few good shots of carb cleaner to finish it off. Put the bowl back on and tighten the nut. Refill with fuel and give it a pull or two...

L8R,
Matt
Click to expand...

Already did that.


#18

pugaltitude

pugaltitude

Fish said:
So you have never worked on a Quantum????
Click to expand...

I order 250 quantum filters on winter stock and top up if required.

No your right never worked on one!! :laughing:


#19

P

Pochie

I'd guess it might need a new ignition coil (armature-magneto). I've had this happen 3 times in the last 28 years. They work until hot and then quit...after they cool...they work again,etc. I don't know if your mower has these or not, but all my riding tractors did and do. Some lasted 2 years...some 25 years. Just an opinion. Good luck.


#20

AnthemBassMan

AnthemBassMan

Pochie said:
I'd guess it might need a new ignition coil (armature-magneto). I've had this happen 3 times in the last 28 years. They work until hot and then quit...after they cool...they work again,etc. I don't know if your mower has these or not, but all my riding tractors did and do. Some lasted 2 years...some 25 years. Just an opinion. Good luck.
Click to expand...

This is also a possibility. It's a somewhat common thing for Lawn-Boy mowers, but I've never personally seen it happen with a Briggs or Tecumseh. You can find new ones on eBay for under $20 with free shipping. It:s worth a shot since the carb has been ruled out...

L8R,
Matt


#21

Col F

Col F

Pochie said:
I'd guess it might need a new ignition coil (armature-magneto). I've had this happen 3 times in the last 28 years. They work until hot and then quit...after they cool...they work again,etc. I don't know if your mower has these or not, but all my riding tractors did and do. Some lasted 2 years...some 25 years. Just an opinion. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I concur. I have had similar experiences with the magnetos on several B&S engines over the past 35 years. I have also had "experts" at the parts counter tell me that I'm wasting my money on the non-returnable electrical part, insisting that it is a fuel issue. Each time, the new magneto was the cure. The heat soaking failure and cool-off restoration are hallmark symptoms that I have experienced several times.


#22

S

stevenwbennett

I had a coil in my eBay shopping cart this morning. I started the mower with the intention of timing how long it would run before it got hot and died, while I got ready for work. Strangely enough, it ran perfectly for 45 minutes, until I had to leave. Now I'm really baffled. Maybe it fixed itself. :cool: I'm going to mow tonight, so we'll see how it goes.


#23

OutdoorEnvy

OutdoorEnvy

stevenwbennett said:
I had a coil in my eBay shopping cart this morning. I started the mower with the intention of timing how long it would run before it got hot and died, while I got ready for work. Strangely enough, it ran perfectly for 45 minutes, until I had to leave. Now I'm really baffled. Maybe it fixed itself. :cool: I'm going to mow tonight, so we'll see how it goes.
Click to expand...

:laughing: LOL! It'll die after 5 minutes


#24

S

stevenwbennett

OutdoorEnvy said:
:laughing: LOL! It'll die after 5 minutes
Click to expand...
Thankfully, you were wrong. The mower started on the first pull and ran perfectly. I have no idea what changed, but I'm happy about it.


#25

OutdoorEnvy

OutdoorEnvy

stevenwbennett said:
Thankfully, you were wrong. The mower started on the first pull and ran perfectly. I have no idea what changed, but I'm happy about it.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it man! something you did worked.


Footer Links 1

Top