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gatwood_gw

Briggs & Stratton 4HP engine runs rough

gatwood
13 years ago

Engine starts and runs, but smokes and runs very rough. I believe the fuel mixture is too rich becasue it runs perfectly just before it runs out of gas in the tank. I have changed plug, the gas cap vent hole is clear and there is no difference when the air filter is removed.

Any suggestions on how to fix this? There don't seem to be any adjustments on the carb.

This is on a Murray mower and the engine numbers are:

Model: 10A902

Type: 2291 B1

Code: 99102554

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.

Comments (6)

  • baymee
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Most likely, your carb is similar to this, if not let me know.

    3.75 Briggs carb rebuild

    This is an easy DIY job to replace the diaphragm of the carburetor. A damaged diaphragm will cause engine surging, hard starting, and erratic high speed operation. You may also notice that the primer bulb isnt working properly.

    {{gwi:127520}}

    This is an overview of the carburetor and these types of carb-over-tank are typical of small Briggs engines. Note the two governor springs. The carb/tank assembly is held in place by a ½" bolt to the left of the carb and a 3/8" bolt on the engine head to the right. Remove both bolts and pull the tank straight out with a rocking motion. If possible, the carb/tank assembly should be blown off with compressed air and all loose dirt removed. Use the proper safety equipment, especially safety glasses, before using any compressed air in any of the steps below.

    {{gwi:127521}}

    In the highlighted area you will see the governor linkage still in the throttle plate of the carburetor. You will have to gently separate the carb/tank assembly from the linkage. It is a Z type linkage. It is not necessary to remove the springs or the other end of the linkage, from the governor.

    {{gwi:127522}}

    Note that on the rear of the carburetor is found a white plastic ring and O ring. Sometimes these remain on the tube of the engine housing. If so, place them back into the carburetor body, as shown, before reinstalling the carb/tank to the engine.

    {{gwi:127523}}

    Note the raised area of the diaphragm. This is caused by age, but more often, by ethanol fuels, which damage the diaphragms. A damaged diaphragm will cause engine surging, hard starting, and erratic high speed operation. You may also notice that the primer bulb isnÂt working properly.

    {{gwi:127524}}

    Shown here are the dip tube, which brings up gas from the tank, in the bottom left corner. Just behind that and partially obscured, is the orifice that compressed air can be used to clear the dip tube of debris. It also leads to the primer bulb, so any air must be low pressure and the primer bulb must be held in the depressed position to prevent it from blowing out. In the center top, youÂll notice the jet, surrounded by a wire mesh filter. In the bottom right is a spring. Be careful to not lose the spring or forget to install it during reassembly.

    Remove the old gasket and diaphragm combo from the carb body. Install a new gasket/diaphragm on the smooth surface of the tank. I always blow out the tank with compressed air to remove dirt and any water. Be aware that there may also be old gas in the tank. I always empty the tank and let it sit in the sun until all the gasoline evaporates before applying compressed air. Align the carb and lower it down on top of the gasket, trying to keep the five screw holes in the gaskets aligned. Insert the screws and partially tighten them and install all five screws. Tighten each screw until it gently bottoms out. Then turn each screw another quarter turn. It is not necessary to use more than a few inch pounds of torque on these screws. Reinstall in reverse order. When installing, be sure to engage the breather tube with the rubber piece on the carburetor.

  • rogelio_vargas_hotmail_com
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The compressed air blew out the seat, spring and the metal sphere, don't know which order they go .
    Thanks

  • baymee
    12 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago
  • Nettar
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    My 4HP B&S Quattro was running very rich and, as there seemed to be nothing else to do for it I followed the provided directions and replaced the diaphragm. I was delighted when it started right up after the replacement but found that it was running even richer than before (determined by the amount of yard I got to mow before I ran out of gas - not to mention the asphyxiation factor of fuel heavy exhaust). I figured that maybe I'd installed the fiber and rubber gasket and membrane in the wrong order so I reversed them. This left the engine unable to start at all. Any other ideas for a fix? When the machine was running properly I could mow the entire yard on a single tank of fuel. I'd get about 3/4 of the way through before the repair. After the repair I got less than half way done. Time to retire this one?

  • joseph hubbard
    8 years ago

    If it still runs rich after replacing the diaphragm/gasket, replace this o-ring on the jet (you can pop it out from the top). Gasoline can erode it causing fuel to pass through and bypass the jet port making it run rich.

  • 1saxman
    8 years ago

    To avoid most trouble from Ethanol fuels, use Sta-Bil '360' in your gas can all the time.