Mower starts, runs fine, will not restart

[jsmith24]

I *KNOW* this has been covered somewhere, but my search terms aren't bringing up what I need.

Briggs 16.5, new carb (antibackfire solenoid on the old one stopped working), new fuel and air filter, fresh gas, all new fuel line. On first reassembly it took a shot of starter fluid to fire up, but ran great for maybe five minutes. Throttled back to low, shut it off. Tried restarting maybe two minutes later and it turns and turns but won't fire over. A shot of starter fluid and it starts and runs fine.

What am I missing? I don't think it's running long enough to heat soak the coil, and even if it did I don't think starter fluid would overcome that.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ILENGINE]

I would lean toward the choke is not closing all the way. Just takes a small gap of not fully closed to cause cold start issues.

 

[jsmith24]

I would lean toward the choke is not closing all the way. Just takes a small gap of not fully closed to cause cold start issues.

Ah, I see. I was a little unsure which hole the choke linkage came from. I haven't been able to find a diagram for the engine and carb assembly yet, but I could disassemble and try the other linkage location. However, wouldn't that NOT apply when starting it with throttle only, no choke?

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hot or cold, most small engines require the choke to operate properly for starting.

 

[jsmith24]

Hot or cold, most small engines require the choke to operate properly for starting.

I've tried with choking without. If I try to restart within 10 or 15 minutes it just spins over and won't actually start.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Tis sound more like you have a fuel restriction issue. Don't tinker around with any linkage if you do not know what you are doing with it.

 

[MParr]

Have you checked the valve lash?

 

[Auto Doc's]

I *KNOW* this has been covered somewhere, but my search terms aren't bringing up what I need.

Briggs 16.5, new carb (antibackfire solenoid on the old one stopped working), new fuel and air filter, fresh gas, all new fuel line. On first reassembly it took a shot of starter fluid to fire up, but ran great for maybe five minutes. Throttled back to low, shut it off. Tried restarting maybe two minutes later and it turns and turns but won't fire over. A shot of starter fluid and it starts and runs fine.

What am I missing? I don't think it's running long enough to heat soak the coil, and even if it did I don't think starter fluid would overcome that.

Thanks in advance!

It would help to provide the engine information stamped on the valve cover.

Let's go back to where this all began. The carburetor was replaced.

Check the sealing gasket(s) between the carburetor and the mount surface. If there is a leak there, you will have starting and running problems.

 

[jsmith24]

Have you checked the valve lash?

I did. About a quarter inch past top dead center, compression stroke. Was dead on.

 

[jsmith24]

Tis sound more like you have a fuel restriction issue. Don't tinker around with any linkage if you do not know what you are doing with it.

I considered that. I just removed the fuel shut off (generic red and black), but haven't fired it up yet, will do so after lunch. No tinkering involved, it's either one hole or the other.