Without knowing the model number I am assuming you have the flat paper filter in front of the carb, with the primer located in the front/side of the rear air filter mounting piece. That type of primer doesn't pump gas, it pushed air into the carb to force the fuel up into the venturi of the carb. It is common for the cover to warp preventing a proper air seal between the cover and the carb. I usually double gasket that area and it fixes it most of the time.
Actually overtightening of the bolts is what causes the cover to deform preventing a proper air tight seal.
You may want to check your float level. I have found that if the float is not adjusted properly (set in a lean running condition) the primer does not have enough push to push fuel up the nozzle. I try to set the level slightly rich.
OK, Riv, but do I simply remove gas line, gently remove carb, and remove bowl to check level? How does that work because, every time I unscrew that bowl nut underneath most the gas drips out............(scratching scalp, left elbow resting on desk........)
OK, then I should try to not overtighten. But how does one know(?)
First, if you see fuel in the air horn when priming, there is no need to check the float level. Try this trick. Cut a stiff piece of paper or thin cardboard to a size that you can cover the carb throat with the air filter back still in place. Prime unit three times, place paper over carb throat, have someone start the engine. If the engine starts and continues to run when you remove the paper, I'm betting you have old fuel which is not volatile enough to burn at low RPM's.
Use a nut driver, not a spanner and definitely not a power tool.
Screw in till it stops going down then 1/2 turn more.
If you feel that you cannot start the engine by manually chocking it with a piece of paper over the air horn opening, then you will have to open up the carb and find out why. You must remember that the priming system on this engine is just an air pump. When you push the bulb, you are forcing air pressure on top of the fuel in the float bowl. This should force fuel up the nozzle into the air horn. You are not pumping fuel, just pushing air which pushes on the fuel. It can only push the fuel so far, because of the small amount of air you are pushing. If this came into the shop, this is what I would do. I would clean and rebuild the carb using the following procedure.
Needle and seat replacement
Remove the carb, and then remove the float bowl. Check the float bowl jet (which is the bowl screw) and make sure the jets both horizontal and vertical are clean and open. Tip the carb upside down and remove the float pin and float with needle attached. Look in the float needle passage and you should see the red float seat at the bottom of the passage. This is where a #5 crotchet hook would come in handy as you need to remove this seat. If you have no hook, but compressed air, you can blow through the fuel inlet and try to pop the seat out. Put your thumb over the passage to prevent the seat from flying who knows where. No air or hook try bending a stiff paper clip to dig the seat out.
I would either give the carb a good 24 hour soaking or have it ultrasonically cleaned at this time.
With the seat out clean the passage way with carb cleaner. Now you must find a drill bit slightly smaller than the passage way, to be used to press in the new seat. Apply a very, very small amount of a very light lube to the new seat. 3-1 oil or lighter, to help seat it better. Carefully insert the new seat in the passage way with the rings on the seat down toward the carb body. Slowly and carefully force the seat down with the back end of the drill bit. Once it is seated, check to see that it did not flip and the rings are up. *Next check to make sure that the float does not have any liquid in it. *If it does, replace. *If everything looks correct, attach the new needle to the float and install with the float pin centered. It everything is correct, the float should seat level to the carb body, when looking at it upside down. If everything looks good reattach the float bowl, making sure that both the bowl gasket and the nut gasket seal properly. Reinstall on the engine and test unit. Remember to have patience and take your time. Good luck, but I don't think you'll need it.
PS: *On the side of some Tecumseh carbs you will find a plastic cover. *Under this cover will be an idle jet. *Remove it and check to see that the jet is open both horizontally and vertically. *You should be able to push the old float needle wire through the vertical opening.
If my memory is still in tac, the new needle and seat part number should be 398188. You must be sure that the seat is seating at bottom of the inlet opening.
First, if you see fuel in the air horn when priming, there is no need to check the float level. Try this trick. Cut a stiff piece of paper or thin cardboard to a size that you can cover the carb throat with the air filter back still in place. Prime unit three times, place paper over carb throat, have someone start the engine. If the engine starts and continues to run when you remove the paper, I'm betting you have old fuel which is not volatile enough to burn at low RPM's.
You will find using a parts manual will be of great benefit.
mechanics use specify terms for bits & pieces .
As we need to buy these from time to time we tend to use the tems found in the parts manuals.
done have manual. But thanks for the reply....
If you feel that you cannot start the engine by manually chocking it with a piece of paper over the air horn opening, then you will have to open up the carb and find out why. You must remember that the priming system on this engine is just an air pump. When you push the bulb, you are forcing air pressure on top of the fuel in the float bowl. This should force fuel up the nozzle into the air horn. You are not pumping fuel, just pushing air which pushes on the fuel. It can only push the fuel so far, because of the small amount of air you are pushing. If this came into the shop, this is what I would do. I would clean and rebuild the carb using the following procedure.
Needle and seat replacement
Remove the carb, and then remove the float bowl. Check the float bowl jet (which is the bowl screw) and make sure the jets both horizontal and vertical are clean and open. Tip the carb upside down and remove the float pin and float with needle attached. Look in the float needle passage and you should see the red float seat at the bottom of the passage. This is where a #5 crotchet hook would come in handy as you need to remove this seat. If you have no hook, but compressed air, you can blow through the fuel inlet and try to pop the seat out. Put your thumb over the passage to prevent the seat from flying who knows where. No air or hook try bending a stiff paper clip to dig the seat out.
I would either give the carb a good 24 hour soaking or have it ultrasonically cleaned at this time.
With the seat out clean the passage way with carb cleaner. Now you must find a drill bit slightly smaller than the passage way, to be used to press in the new seat. Apply a very, very small amount of a very light lube to the new seat. 3-1 oil or lighter, to help seat it better. Carefully insert the new seat in the passage way with the rings on the seat down toward the carb body. Slowly and carefully force the seat down with the back end of the drill bit. Once it is seated, check to see that it did not flip and the rings are up. *Next check to make sure that the float does not have any liquid in it. *If it does, replace. *If everything looks correct, attach the new needle to the float and install with the float pin centered. It everything is correct, the float should seat level to the carb body, when looking at it upside down. If everything looks good reattach the float bowl, making sure that both the bowl gasket and the nut gasket seal properly. Reinstall on the engine and test unit. Remember to have patience and take your time. Good luck, but I don't think you'll need it.
PS: *On the side of some Tecumseh carbs you will find a plastic cover. *Under this cover will be an idle jet. *Remove it and check to see that the jet is open both horizontally and vertically. *You should be able to push the old float needle wire through the vertical opening.
If my memory is still in tac, the new needle and seat part number should be 398188. You must be sure that the seat is seating at bottom of the inlet opening.
First, if you see fuel in the air horn when priming, there is no need to check the float level. Try this trick. Cut a stiff piece of paper or thin cardboard to a size that you can cover the carb throat with the air filter back still in place. Prime unit three times, place paper over carb throat, have someone start the engine. If the engine starts and continues to run when you remove the paper, I'm betting you have old fuel which is not volatile enough to burn at low RPM's.
Carb cleaner has a bad habit of making that seat swell as well as other chemicals. it can also make is crumble is some cases
thanks. good tip. will try to pop it out with compresed air. hope it works........
You need repair kit part number 498260 if you want to replace the entire carb it is part number 799868
No you won't use all the parts. This kit fits some of the older engines that had adjustable idle jets, as well as the newer non adjustable carbs. I suspect you won't use the fuel adustment valves, or the cork looking air cleaner gasket.
Thanks. Good to know. Time to place order.
Sheesh, good thing it's not cutting season!
I popped out the seat, but al the shops nearby are out of business! So, figured Id order it online, but I dont know the exact carb # I have. But, I have these numbers, people:
On the plate above the muffler is : 125K02-0243-E1 (space) 03081157. I believe thats the model # for the Briggs engine. Should that be enough to identify the carburetor? Now, on the carb itself, are #'s: 6150, also 2183. also 8105, also 214122. So many #'s!
If someone here can let me know, I can order a kit.
Thanks