HarvDog Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 I planned to do some power washing this weekend but couldn't get the Briggs & Stratton 6.5HP engine on my Excell pressure washer started. It's only about a year and a half old and this was the first time I tried starting it this year. I used it a couple of times last year and, unfortunately, I didn't use an gas stabilizer in it over the winter. When I first filled it up, I noticed gas leaking from the air filter. I thought maybe I just over-filled it. After cranking a couple of times, it turned over and ran for about 20 seconds. I continued to pull on that stupid handle what must have been an hour. After drink 3 jugs of Gatorade and bandaging up a couple of fingers , I decided to clean the carburetor. So, I removed it and cleaned it thoroughly with carburetor cleaner. After reinstalling it, I tried starting it again. It fired up for about 5 seconds (with of nice little puff of white smoke from the muffler), then promptly shut off. It would turn over whenever I sprayed some starter fluid in the carburetor but never stayed running. My next step is to replace the spark plug. If that doesn't work, I'll be lining it up down range for target practice with my AK-47. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Please help me save some ammo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Would have changed the plug before pulling the carb Harv. Would also suggest draining out the old gas and putting in new gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Hmmm,the Briggs on my rider does the same thing if I leave the gas turned on without running it for too long.It will also get gas in the oil which overfills the crankcase making some white smoke.I would try turning the gas off,changing,or checking the oil out, and replacing the spark plug.If that doesn't work I would try persuading it with a sledge or pick axe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clay008 Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 It sounds like you have spark because you said it will start. If it was the plug I don't think it would start at all. Also, when using fire in a can it will start but, it will not stay running. It sounds like a fuel problem. When it starts running keep spraying the fire in a can in the carb and see if it will stay running. If it stays running when spraying then i would guess you have a fuel problem. Is there a fuel line shut off valve that is turned to the off position maybe? It could just be bad gas. Did anymore gas leak from the air filter area later after the fill up? I know a good mechanic. Let me know if you need the number. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted July 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 It sounds like you have spark because you said it will start. If it was the plug I don't think it would start at all. Also, when using fire in a can it will start but, it will not stay running. It sounds like a fuel problem. When it starts running keep spraying the fire in a can in the carb and see if it will stay running. If it stays running when spraying then i would guess you have a fuel problem. Is there a fuel line shut off valve that is turned to the off position maybe? It could just be bad gas. Did anymore gas leak from the air filter area later after the fill up? I know a good mechanic. Let me know if you need the number. Good Luck! There isn't a fuel line shut off valve that I could find. I thought about the "bad gas" option but quickly dismissed it since I just used the same gas in my lawn mower. Maybe this engine is a little more finicky??? After the initial leakage, no more gas leaked from the air filter. I've seen your mechanic work on small engines and he usually resorts to a sledge hammer... Sounds like I will be trying some fresh gas. By the way, could the new ethanol gas be causing a problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhnter Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 check the fluid neadle,sounds like a gummed up carb,sraying cleaner into it may not be enough. that or air dont think its spark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Harv, plugs can be bad and the engine still start up, but it does sound like it may be bad gas to me. That would explain why it is starting on the starting fluid and then crapping out on you. Whatever gas was left in the tank over the season if you did not drain it out before putting new gas in may be the problem, not to mention what is left in the line. The only briggs I currently have is on my troy bilt tiller and it is a 6 horse, but I generally will change the plugs and fluids roughly every season on small engines, and always use sta-bil when I am done using that motor for the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted July 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Harv, plugs can be bad and the engine still start up, but it does sound like it may be bad gas to me. That would explain why it is starting on the starting fluid and then crapping out on you. Whatever gas was left in the tank over the season if you did not drain it out before putting new gas in may be the problem, not to mention what is left in the line. The only briggs I currently have is on my troy bilt tiller and it is a 6 horse, but I generally will change the plugs and fluids roughly every season on small engines, and always use sta-bil when I am done using that motor for the season. I did run it until empty at the end of the season last year and when I removed and cleaned the carb, I drained all of the gas. However, I did refill it with gas from the same can so, fresh gas will definitely be another step. Also on the spark plug, I need to pick up a gap checker (can't find mine:mad:) then I'll check the gap in the plug and the magnetron (I think that's what it's called). And TRUST ME!!! I'll be using sta-bil on all my small engine equipment from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 check the fluid neadle,sounds like a gummed up carb,sraying cleaner into it may not be enough. that or air dont think its spark. I agree I think the carb is gummed up and needs a good cleaning. Spark is easy to check for but if it fires then it has spark. Check the carb first, fill with new gas and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted July 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 check the fluid neadle,sounds like a gummed up carb,sraying cleaner into it may not be enough. that or air dont think its spark. I believe I completely removed that when I removed and cleaned the bowl area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Did you remove the jets in the carb and let them soak in carb cleaner for a few hours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 My rider didn't have a fuel shut-off on it either.I bought a cheap plastic one to throw on, and now anytime I'm not using it I keep it shut off.Since then I haven't any problems it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 I believe I completely removed that when I removed and cleaned the bowl area. Your problem sounded like mine a few years ago with my mower. I left the mower out in the rain, a big soaking rain too. The bowl was full of water. The neighbor stopped by and emptied the bowl and it ran ever since. Sounds more like a gummed up carb. I run Stabil all year long, in all the motors that are 2 cycle. After a $300 bill for my 40HP outboard being all gummed up, you bet!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Try changing the air filter. We have a Dr Trimmer with the Brigss and Stratton engine (been a tough engine to kill) and when it gets that way change the air filter and it will fire right up. The filter could be soaked in gas and oil causing it not to work properly at least that is what happens to the one that we have. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Remove carb and completely take apart, and by that I mean remove all needle valves and jets. Assuming there was gas in the bowl the second time you take it apart, I have to believe there is a blockage in the valve/jet proximity and can usually be cleared by spraying carb cleaner into the orifice leading to the venturi. Replace jet(s) and needle valve(s) being sure to set valves at same spot. If no gas in bowl upon carb tear down, either the inlet valve is plugged/non-functional or possible fuel hose blockage. An opinion on fuel stabilizer, it is a waste of money. The fuel you buy at the gas station may have sat in a storage tank for years and I can guarantee they do not use fuel stabilizer. If you are not going to use a gas powered implement for more than a month or so you should let it run until out of fuel. You may want to drain most of the fuel first. Then when out of fuel, remove spark plug(s) and add approximately one tablespoonful of oil to cylinder and slowly turn engine over without reinstalling spark plug (disable ignition first to prevent spark from starting a fire). Reinstall spark plug and you are ready to refuel and start the engine when next needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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