Hey everyone.. I know this post will probably be locked.. Because it's off topic, but you guys know more about engines than I do.. SO i need your help! I pulled out my lawnmower the other day.. drained the fuel tank, cleaned the air filter, checked the oil.. everything was cool.. then i poured some gas into the tank, pushed the little "choke" button thing.. pulled the rope a few times.. nothing happened. I got a wrench, pulled the plug, and ALL my gas ran out onto the ground. I looked into the tank, it was completely dry! I looked into the air filter thing, there was some moisture in the bottom, but everything else ran out the spark plug hole! what could possibly be wrong?? Thanks in advance.. and I know it's going to be locked.. but oh well! maybe someone can help me!

 

I'm assuming this is a lay-down engine, right?

If so, it's easy, the floats stuck on the carb, and all the fuel went thru the carb. Then, on a two stroke, went thru the ports and into the cyl (piston half way up the bore). On a four stroke, the intake valves were open and the gas poured in thru them.

You'll have to yank the carb off and clean it up. Check the thing that actuates when the floats go up - should be some sort of needle and seat. If these are worn, or stuck open, that's your culprit. It could also be a float full of gas.

Now, the ugly part. Did you drain fuel completely after the last use? If not, you've had gasoline in the engine all winter. If it's a four stroke, it may just mean a rusty intake valve and rings (as long as it was full of oil). Try starting it up and see if it's okay.

If it's a two stroke, then the gas may have rusted the crank rod, needles and mains. Try washing it out with kerosene, then fire it up. Be ready to shut it down quickly if it makes noise.

Oh, here, so this doesn't get locked -- While you're in there, if it's a two stroke, shave the head .010" to get more compression. If it's a four stroke, clean up the ports a little to make it breathe better.

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Well Pam, I would guess a Briggs and Stratton engine is a 4 stroke.. wouldn't you think?? i'm not being sarcastic.. by the way

 

Yup, if it's a briggs it's a four stroke. Typically two valves to the side of the piston, with a push rod and cam under.

So, lets see, the design is -- carburetor on top with a 45 degree angle in the manifold (so the carb sits horizontally), head/cylinder laying below it, exhaust comes out the bottom. Right?

 

Yes Pam, you ar exactly right! So take the carb off, clean it up, check the needles and replace the float?? Think that'll do it??

OH yeah.. so this post won't be locked

It will realy help if i can get the engine back in my banshee frame.. I have a race this weekend, and can't afford to miss out on the points.. haha

 

Yup, that should do it -- as long as you didn't have fuel in it last fall - in which case you should probably pour some kerosene into the spark plug hole, shake it around and drain it out (remove any freestanding rust and give the rings a little extra lube).

Oh, and before installing it in the Banshee chassis, don't forget to take the powerbands off the banshee engine and install them in the Briggs. That way you'll have the same power!

 

Well Pam, I was thinking about calling up Honpolasakidier racing, and getting a set of power/rubber bands for the briggs, so I could sell my banshee motor on eBay for like.. $15 Teh, I could send the Briggs to TC, and have it bored out to 4.7HP instead of 3.5!!