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Question

BS engine on Ariens rider starts fine, then starts to pluse as it warms up, and finally stalls. It will restart, and repeat thej pattern. Everything seems tight ( no leads at carb). Main jet adjustment makes no difference.

Submitted: 91 days and 19 hours ago.

Category: Small Engine

Value: $15

Status: AWAITING EXPERT REPLY

Make: Briggs and Stratton

Already Tried:
Checked to see if there are air leaks at carb. Adjusted main and idle screw. Made sure that the gas cap allows air to enter.

Posted by J.R. 91 days and 19 hours ago.

Answer

The problem may be in the carb. I would take the carb apart completely and give it a good cleaning. Make sure you run a small tag wire through all of the jet holes. Try it and let me know.

90 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

I'll try it - tomorrow, I hope. It's my daughters mower, s I have to go there to do it. I'm puzzeled, though, about how the carb would make it "surge". I guess it's some sort of miss, because the governor opens up, and it runs, then slows, then does it again, until it finally quits.

jim

Posted by J.R. 90 days and 12 hours ago.

Answer

You may have a valve seat loose as well. Let me know.

82 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

Relist: Inaccurate answer. I tried to follow the advice - cleaned the carb completely - but the condition remains the same.

Posted by Chris Huber 82 days and 9 hours ago.

Answer

Jr is correct in assuming this is a carburetor problem. There are a few troubleshooting questions that when answered will lead to the solution of your problem. Can you get it to stay running if you close the choke? Will the engine continue to run if you spray carburetor cleaner into the intake? Is the oil level overfull, or is there gas in the oil? I'm sure with the answers to these questions JR will solve your problem.

81 days and 19 hours ago.

Reply

I checked the oil - seem OK. The pulsing/stalling seems to occur when the engine is warm. I ran it, and as it started to quit, choked it. That killed it. I tried it again, spraying carb cleaner into it, and that seemed to keep it running. Not for long, but it woudl run better after I sprayed it for perhaps 10-15 seconds. Any idea what I should check next?

Accepted Answer

If it runs on spray, and not on it's own, fuel is not getting through the carburetor, and if it seems clean, and everything is in working order, replace the carburetor, as you have proven with the spray, that is the problem. If that works and you choose to accept, accept JR's first answer please.

Accepts:
Expert:	Chris Huber
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	9/3/2009

Small Engine Technician

20 years experience. Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician. Dealer for most engine lines.

60 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

Thanks for the help - I finally tracked it down- you were rithat about it being fuel related. The gas line was colllapsed on the inside - didn't look bad on the outside, but when I took off the carb I realized that there wasn't enough gas coming out of the line. I replaced it, and all is well.

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Question

BS engine on Ariens rider starts fine, then starts to pluse as it warms up, and finally stalls. It will restart, and repeat thej pattern. Everything seems tight ( no leads at carb). Main jet adjustment makes no difference.

Optional Information

Make: Briggs and Stratton Already Tried: Checked to see if there are air leaks at carb. Adjusted main and idle screw. Made sure that the gas cap allows air to enter.

Answer

The problem may be in the carb. I would take the carb apart completely and give it a good cleaning. Make sure you run a small tag wire through all of the jet holes. Try it and let me know.

Reply

I'll try it - tomorrow, I hope. It's my daughters mower, s I have to go there to do it. I'm puzzeled, though, about how the carb would make it "surge". I guess it's some sort of miss, because the governor opens up, and it runs, then slows, then does it again, until it finally quits.jim

Answer

You may have a valve seat loose as well. Let me know.

Reply

Relist: Inaccurate answer. I tried to follow the advice - cleaned the carb completely - but the condition remains the same.

Answer

Reply

Accepted Answer

If it runs on spray, and not on it's own, fuel is not getting through the carburetor, and if it seems clean, and everything is in working order, replace the carburetor, as you have proven with the spray, that is the problem. If that works and you choose to accept, accept JR's first answer please.

Reply

Thanks for the help - I finally tracked it down- you were rithat about it being fuel related. The gas line was colllapsed on the inside - didn't look bad on the outside, but when I took off the carb I realized that there wasn't enough gas coming out of the line. I replaced it, and all is well.

Related Small Engine Questions

Make: Briggs and Stratton

Already Tried:
Checked to see if there are air leaks at carb. Adjusted main and idle screw. Made sure that the gas cap allows air to enter.

I'll try it - tomorrow, I hope. It's my daughters mower, s I have to go there to do it. I'm puzzeled, though, about how the carb would make it "surge". I guess it's some sort of miss, because the governor opens up, and it runs, then slows, then does it again, until it finally quits.

jim