Tecumseh VLV 66 will not start unless shot with starting fluid

[pennsdalerepair]

Hi all..

I've got a VLV 66 Tecumseh that came in for a no starting complaint. Had sat for three years with bad fuel; carb was shot. Replaced carb and reset valves as there was a leak on the intake side. Everything set to factory specs; new head gasket, good primer, new intake and air cleaner gaskets. Fresh fuel. This thing will NOT start unless you shoot it with ether into the air cleaner port, then it fires on the first pull. After that it will fire every time until it sits for over 2-4 hours. I've gone through every troubleshooting issue there is on this thing. Very few things stump me, but this one is a real head scratcher.

Would appreciate input on what you think I'm missing. Been working on small engines over 40 years and I feel like a goof on this one!!!
All help appreciated!!!

Tom

 

[mechanic mark]

"K&T Parts House Lawn Mower Parts and Chain Saw & Trimmer Parts" service manual for your engine is 18 down, download & see page 13.5 in section 13, engine will not start, check air filter for replacement, damaged flywheel key, etc.

 

[shiftsuper175607]

Hi all..

I've got a VLV 66 Tecumseh that came in for a no starting complaint. Had sat for three years with bad fuel; carb was shot. Replaced carb and reset valves as there was a leak on the intake side. Everything set to factory specs; new head gasket, good primer, new intake and air cleaner gaskets. Fresh fuel. This thing will NOT start unless you shoot it with ether into the air cleaner port, then it fires on the first pull. After that it will fire every time until it sits for over 2-4 hours. I've gone through every troubleshooting issue there is on this thing. Very few things stump me, but this one is a real head scratcher.

Would appreciate input on what you think I'm missing. Been working on small engines over 40 years and I feel like a goof on this one!!!
All help appreciated!!!

Tom

You have it narrowed down to a fuel problem.
It is not drawing the fuel into engine on initial start.

It gets this fuel how?

primer bulb?
or..choke plate closed causing engine suction to pull that fuel into carb/engine

Check your choke fully closed.

 

[reynoldston]

Does this engine have a fuel pump, if so it could be losing prime.

 

[Rivets]

The carbs on those engines have a mind of their own and are about as finicky as your wife when she wants to go shopping. There were two different carbs used on those engines, split and married, and they cannot be interchanged. If you purchased a new carb for the unit, there is a good chance that you were given the wrong one. Carefully open the float bowl and look at the color of the Main nozzle tube. One uses a red tube and the other has a yellow tube. No, you can not switch them.

 

[pennsdalerepair]

I'm guessing now this thing has an air leak at the air cleaner mount to the carb. Pretty poor design in my opinion. May try sealing mounting with Form a Gasket and a thicker, shop made gasket. The gasket that came with the new carb was crap. Didn't fit over the mounting stud bosses too well and was easily ruined. No wonder they're out of business. Thankfully the customer told me to junk the thing...may fool with it in the fall after things slow down.:thumbdown: