Tiller troubles

DamnearaFarm · #1 04/08/12, 10:01 AM

Old Lazy Boy with a 5hp B&S motor. Won't crank to save it's life. Here's what I've done:
replaced the plug
sanded rust off both the wheel and that thing that sparks on it, as well as the connector for the spark thing
scrubbed crud off the piston and made sure it's tunnel was clean
one rod was frozen in the up position but I made sure they're both movng freely now
filled the tank (obviously)

If you remove the plug and spray carb cleaner and replace the plug, the motor catches then dies, which is more than it was doing before.

It sounds to me like it's not getting fuel. If I understand correctly, it's a gravity fed fuel system.

Thoughts? Questions?

BTW, sorry if I'm not very technical. Just like when I drive.... I can get you where you need to go but I can't explain how we got there.

am1too · #2 04/08/12, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblinRoseRanc

Old Lazy Boy with a 5hp B&S motor. Won't crank to save it's life. Here's what I've done:
replaced the plug
sanded rust off both the wheel and that thing that sparks on it, as well as the connector for the spark thing
scrubbed crud off the piston and made sure it's tunnel was clean
one rod was frozen in the up position but I made sure they're both movng freely now
filled the tank (obviously)

If you remove the plug and spray carb cleaner and replace the plug, the motor catches then dies, which is more than it was doing before.

It sounds to me like it's not getting fuel. If I understand correctly, it's a gravity fed fuel system.

Thoughts? Questions?

BTW, sorry if I'm not very technical. Just like when I drive.... I can get you where you need to go but I can't explain how we got there.

My suggestion is to replace the B&S with a Honda clone. I will never own another piece of equipment with a BS engine. And no that isn't for Briggs and Statton it is for what I think of them.

||Downhome|| · #3 04/08/12, 10:16 AM

you need to pull the carb and clean it. mostly the bowl.

9-1 odds that is the problem.

Nomad · #4 04/08/12, 10:18 AM

I'm sure you gapped the plug right, but it is an issue that is important.

Nomad

davel745 · #5 04/08/12, 10:54 AM

Overhaul the carburetor.

arabian knight · #6 04/08/12, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davel745

Overhaul the carburetor.

Sounds like that is the problem, and B & S is so easy to get parts for, and so easy to work on that I try to only get B & S on things, or if not then a Tucumseh will do just fine.

goatlady · #7 04/08/12, 12:00 PM

Fuel line and/or fuel filter may be gunked up?

littlebitfarm · #8 04/08/12, 01:06 PM

Mine always start after I pour a bit (teaspoon?) of gas into the carburetor, then trying yanking on it.

Kathie

HermitJohn · #9 04/08/12, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arabian knight

Sounds like that is the problem, and B & S is so easy to get parts for, and so easy to work on that I try to only get B & S on things, or if not then a Tucumseh will do just fine.

Uh... Tecumseh went belly up couple years ago.

And apparently you havent worked on any modern engine, the carbs on them are NOT necessarily easy to get parts for or to rebuild. Some of them you literally cant get to some passages to clean them. And a new replacement carb will cost more than one of the Chinese clones cost on sale for entire engine.

Its true, the only good BS engine anymore is the Vanguard and its made in Japan by another company and BS label slapped on it.

America sold out for short term profit.

HermitJohn · #10 04/08/12, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblinRoseRanc

If you remove the plug and spray carb cleaner and replace the plug, the motor catches then dies, which is more than it was doing before.

I've heard of Lawn Boy, but thought Lazy Boy was a recliner?

Ok, ignition ok, like others say, probably need carb removed and disassembled, cleaned and kit put in it. Not that hard if you can get kit and assuming this isnt a plastic carburetor. Plastic carbs and some metal ones are just impossible to clean and rebuild properly, they need to be replaced and you will find new replacement carb is mere $75 or so. When you buy the kit, stop at Wallywart and get you a $2 can carb cleaner and $2 can starting fluid. Oh you will need any numbers off id plate on engine and the number off the carburetor if possible.

First for heck of it before taking carb off engine, spray some starter fluid in the carb and crank, when it starts to die spray some more, etc. You can keep engine running for bit this way, if it still dies and it probably will, then you need to take carb off, take it apart, spray all passages with the carb cleaner not the starting fluid. (use the plastic straw taped to can of carb cleaner and insert it into the can nozzle) Then other end in the passage and spray. Without the straw, doing this is impossible.

The sticky valves also have me thinking whether you have water in engine. If you take cap off gas tank and shine flashlight down, should be able to see if there is gunk or water or such. Water will look like bubbles at bottom of tank. Gasoline floats on top of any water. Also depending on your carb setup, the old BS engines had carb bolted on top of gas tank, the newer ones were remote tank with hose from tank to carb inlet.

The ones with hose tend to have a removable bowl on bottom of carb. there will be a screw in middle. Take out screw and gently remove cup, it may have water or crud and if you are real lucky, just cleaning this and replacing it back like it was will solve your problem.

DamnearaFarm · #11 04/08/12, 08:39 PM

Thanks for all the input, y'all. I'll get back on the tiller tomorrow and check the carb out. Yeah, it says Lazy Boy, lol. I thought it was pretty odd as well.
Oh- and it's the older type that sits on top of the gas tank.

HermitJohn · #12 04/09/12, 04:22 AM

Since its the kind carb thats bolted to gas tank (diaphram carb rather than float carb), unbolt it, gently/carefully pull it out, and the two little stems (plastic on later versions of this carb) that stick down into tank both have a screen on them, very fine mesh screen. These screens can get plugged. It will be this or the diaphram or in the gas tank is weak/leaking or there is this little cup thing rigidly suspended from top of tank that bottom of shorter stem thing sits in. This cup eventually rusts away. At that point even if carburetor is perfect, engine will only run if gas tank is completely full. Sure there is a make do solution, but I never saw one, usually means you need a new tank.

The old 5hp flathead Briggs engines were best of their older cheap engines. Wont come close to lasting as long as a Honda 5.5hp OHV, or even Chinese knockoff of a Honda 5.5hp, but for their day, they were good. Unfortunately Briggs in their infinite wisdom cheapened them even further with lot plastic in their last versions. American manufacturers tended to always think in terms of quick profit, and cheapened themselves out of a lot market share. When a Chinese imitation of a Honda turns out to be a better engine than any simular size engine Briggs and Tecumseh made in USA in recent years, one has to really scratch ones head. Not even a genuine Honda, but a cheap knockoff of a Honda. Geesh...