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I have a Weed-Eater push mower with a a 4.5 hp Techumseh engine. The primer bulb rotted. I ordered some from a mower parts store - the fit the hole but were so big that they were flimsy and didn't last long. Anyone know where I can look up an original tecumseh part? Thanks.

An aside: The mower has an aluminum deck and is as light as a feather - just great for timming. I don't think it has a lot of hours on it - starts and runs great. No rust of dings - just a rotted primer bulb.

Provide us with the model and spec numbers for the engine. They will allow us to find the correct primer bulb.

OK - I did try to get the primer bulb 2 years ago. IIRC, the serial number was not readable. I'll check again tomorrow.

The engine model is Tecumseh WTPXS-1851BA Again, IIRC, my engne model was actually WTPXS-165BA. But the 165 wasn't listed on any Tecumseh site. So I was using the 185 number to look for a bulb. I think the 165 was the 4.5hp model and the 185 was a 5hp model of virtually the same engine. I couldn't find the Pbulb on either model. So I bought one I thought was close. Good luck and thanks.

I'm including this link as a treat for responding to my question. I can't stop laughing at it!

The number you provided is for a carburetor. Tecumseh used three different primer bulbs. Numbers 36045A, 340351, and 6320347A. Lookup each of these numbers and see which one matches your old one.

Funny - I have a parts list for a engine that's similar to mine - maybe the same. I used it back in 2022 to look for the bulb and didn't see it. So I entered
36045A and found nothing. Then I entered 340351 nothing. then 6320347A and still nothing. Then I entered "36045A 340351 6320347A" and found he following and it found three matches. Go figure?

36045A - Primer Bulb

340351 - button or switch

6320347A - Primer Bulb - replaces 36045A

I started an order, $13 for one bulb. Shipping another $13. With tax, $26. I decided to live with the ill fitting ones. Good luck to the seller, but that's a lot of money for a single bulb. The ones I have on han came in a 6-pack and fit fine. Their a little long - tall - and wobble a little. They work fine for me - I borrowed he mower to a friend last summer and it came back with a torn bulb. I know how to use them without damaging them.

So thanks for you help - I now know where to find on if I change my mind.

Thanks again.

Hmmm according the distributor provided price file the 340351 and 6320347A does not exist.

Also what alpha-numeric number you trying to look the engine by is from the EPA designation label; not the actual model/spec numbers..

they do come up as a Sears 3.8 HP model 143.993800 163cc WTPXS.1631BA which is a Tecumseh LEV100-338012C engine.

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Yup - I had to do a lot of screwing around to find it. And it still took me 15 minutes to find it again tonight. Then I remembered I saved a Bookmark for it last night.

Try this link, and in the search box type 340351. See what happens. It also says it's compatable with 6320347A. Then type 6320347A. I think the same bulb showes up.

g-man57 said:

Yup - I had to do a lot of screwing around to find it. And it still took me 15 minutes to find it again tonight. Then I remembered I saved a Bookmark for it last night.

Try this link, and in the search box type 340351. See what happens. It also says it's compatable with 6320347A. Then type 6320347A. I think the same bulb showes up.

https://www.repairclinic.com/Shop-For-Parts/a22/Small-Engine-Parts

Click to expand...

Well the 340351 comes back as a switch for an appliance.

And the 6320347A comes as follows>

My big fingers found the wrong number, should be 640351.

I'm too busy today to search any further. I found the following. If you remember I typed this earlier. All three numbers found something. This time I only found results for two of the numbers.

"Then I entered "36045A 340351 6320347A" and all found three matches..."

Okay this why we got exactly know which carburetor you have. The 36045A and the 640351 are not the same primer bulb kits. With 640351 if have a carb that uses the 3645A you have two parts that are not used.

Personally I have yet come a carb that uses the 640351 kit but the Tecumseh engines in my area pretty well gone from service.

Now Stens is subbing the black version for the red version so they referencing TEC 640259 . The Stens pn 120-658 and Rotary PN 9289 (pack of 10) buy they are red.

When I did see both the 36045A and 6320347A, the 6320347A said it was a "direct replacement" for the 36045A. The 34045A as the Light Switch.

If I get time later I'll look further. I doubt that I can read the number off of the carb - my eyes are not too good. The number I did have to work with was, I think, off of a metal plate on the engine. It's the only one I could read.

StarTech said:

Okay this why we got exactly know which carburetor you have. The 36045A and the 640351 are not the same primer bulb kits. With 640351 if have a carb that uses the 3645A you have two parts that are not used.

Personally I have yet come a carb that uses the 640351 kit but the Tecumseh engines in my area pretty well gone from service.

Now Stens is subbing the black version for the red version so they referencing TEC 640259 . The Stens pn 120-658 and Rotary PN 9289 (pack of 10) buy they are red.

Click to expand...

Finally, I got back to working on my Tecumseh. I did put a new primer bulb on it from the package of 6 that I ordered last year. Out of curiosity, I went back to this thread to re-read it all. Your reply mentioned 'Stens' - thanks much. I went to Stens and just typed 'Tecumseh primer bulb' and found this!


I didn't see a price - I'll give them a call. Sometimes the price is manageable - I don't want to pay over $10 for it. But the shipping is usually another $10 plus. So If that's the case, I'll just use what I have.

Shoot, I called Stens and you have to be a dealer to work with them. SOL.

Thanks again for the idea of Stens - don't know why I didn't think of it before. I'm not a repair man - just like to keep my stuff running well. Bob