FJ180V carburetor re-installation help!!

[Frank Woodbery]

I recently cleaned the carburetor on an FJ180V. I found that in reinstalling the carburetor it is difficult to snake it around the intake manifold and hook up the throttle/choke linkages. I also don't want to mess up the new gaskets. Is there a simple trick to completely remove the intake manifold first to gain access to the mounting location? This is the FJ180V with the flat air filter, not the cylindrical filter as is now used on the Kai engines. I am including photos including the engine ID tag to help explain below. Thanks in advance!

 

[txmowman]

The proper thing to do is to remove the fan housing/fuel tank. There is an o-ring at the top of the intake pipe. If it is compromised by pulling the intake pipe away to slip the carburetor back in, you could possibly get dirt ingestion. Also would be a good time to inspect and replace the inexpensive o-ring possibly.

 

[Frank Woodbery]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will replace the fuel filter when I get around to this. Good tip on checking the o ring. Seems like it should be less disassembly just to re-install the carburetor.

 

[slomo]

The proper thing to do is to remove the fan housing/fuel tank.

AND, AND clean the engine block and head (cooling fins) of all that oily dirt buildup I'm seeing. These are AIR COOLED engines. If you have a mummy wrap of grit and grass, she won't cool down proper. Clean your cooling fins while you are there. Clean fins is a yearly, or more often, maintenance item, in EVERY engine manual out there. Neglect this and risk engine damage. Let that percolate a bit. All air cooled engines need this attention.

 

[slomo]

Use silicone grease on the O-ring.

 

[slomo]

Lastly recommend you download your engine manual. Look at the carb area for proper choke operation. These engines have a tricky setup. Once you read it you will understand what I'm talking about. I've bought several of these with the carb linkages all fouled up. Set back proper they run like a top.

 

[kbowley]

I am having a tough time finding a 180 with a protruding horn from the intake manifold; there should be just two gaskets and an insulator. Can you provide the model code, i.e., fj180v-cm03, please? Remove the intake tube so you have some room to work or simply remove the air filter housing intact. I would replace all the gaskets, as they are rough but may still work okay, as the inner sides close to the carb bore are intact. Once the air filter tube is removed, you should be able to angle the carb easier to get first the choke linkage, then the throttle linkage and spring hooked up. That breather tube is rough, and I recommend replacement to prevent ingestion, being that it comes in after the filter. Please get back to us with the full model number. Thanks

 

[Frank Woodbery]

AND, AND clean the engine block and head (cooling fins) of all that oily dirt buildup I'm seeing. These are AIR COOLED engines. If you have a mummy wrap of grit and grass, she won't cool down proper. Clean your cooling fins while you are there. Clean fins is a yearly, or more often, maintenance item, in EVERY engine manual out there. Neglect this and risk engine damage. Let that percolate a bit. All air cooled engines need this attention.

 

[Frank Woodbery]

Good point. I've used this engine reliably for at least 15 years of homeowner service, not commercial. Now that I have the carb off and will pull the shroud off, yes I'll clean everything up as I will have access.

 

[Frank Woodbery]

I am having a tough time finding a 180 with a protruding horn from the intake manifold; there should be just two gaskets and an insulator. Can you provide the model code, i.e., fj180v-cm03, please? Remove the intake tube so you have some room to work or simply remove the air filter housing intact. I would replace all the gaskets, as they are rough but may still work okay, as the inner sides close to the carb bore are intact. Once the air filter tube is removed, you should be able to angle the carb easier to get first the choke linkage, then the throttle linkage and spring hooked up. That breather tube is rough, and I recommend replacement to prevent ingestion, being that it comes in after the filter. Please get back to us with the full model number. Thanks

It's a Snapper spec engine with a 25mm crankshaft but I don't recall the full model code. Sorry, but I'll look for it.