Briggs 18 hp. twin engine problem

Adirondack · Jun 13, 2009

I have a 30? year old tractor with a briggs engine. This tractor was a gift a year ago. To run the tractor I always had to run it at almost full choke or it would stall. It would run at idle with no choke when warm but to run at full throttle with a load on the tractor the choke had to be 90% closed. Recently the tractor has not run at all. I put some gas in the carb and it would run until the gas ran was gone and then it would die. I bought a carb kit and took the carb apart. Cleaned out the jets and put it back together. I still have the same problem. Any suggestions?

Rookie1 · Jun 13, 2009

Im having the same problem with a tractor. Iam going to the guys house to look at it on Monday or Tuesday. Over the phone diagnosis, I figured dirt in carb or fuel pump. It runs off crnkcase impulse. Pop off line from pump to carb. Put it in a can and crank over. See what kind of flow you get.

Adirondack · Jun 14, 2009

Thanks Rookie1

You solved my problem. I had forgot to hook up the hose from the block to the carb. IDIOT. :bang: Once I hooked that up it worked great. Thanks

Rookie1 · Jun 14, 2009

Good for you! Now I have to go on a roadcall to see whats wrong with that dudes tractor. Hopefully its as simple.

Adirondack · Jun 14, 2009

I do have another question. There is a screw on the front of the carb. It has a spring on the screw. Usually I look at the manual for the engine and they tell you how to adjust it. The manual said something like it did not need to be adjusted. I thought that was a bit strange. I had already measured the distance it would tighten before I took the thing apart. 3 full turns. I have it backed out about 3/4 of a turn NOW which seemed to make it idol better

. I am not sure really how I SHOULD adjust it but it runs pretty decent. Do you have any suggestions?

Rookie1 · Jun 14, 2009

I think that would be the idle mixture screw.I think you did ok by doing that. 3 turns out seems far and would make it too rich. I dont think there is a high speed adjustment. I would start tractor warm it up and let idle. Back out screw until it starts sputtering then turn in to smmoth out. Ill bet its around what you have now.