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B&S 18.5HP Fuel Pump problems

10 years ago

Many thanks in advance for your input

I have a Briggs & Stratton 18.5HP model 31P777-0296-E1 engine in a Craftsman riding mower, I bought the mower in 2005. With regular maintenance the mower has performed flawlessly until now. The mower recently started exhibiting the following problems.
1. A oil or oil/gas mix drips out of the fuel pump vent when the the engine is running.
2. There is an excess amount of exhaust smoke during operation.
3. The engine runs fine with the above problems for a while and then start to run poorly, (runs rough and loses power).
To date I have replaced the fuel pump, had the carb rebuilt (although I have may doubts if anything was actually done), changed the fuel filter and air filter.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Comments (3)

bill_kapaun
10 years ago
Not sure what you mean by a fuel pump vent?

Smell the oil for the presence of gasoline.
If you smell gas make the person "rebuild" the carb again.
Change oil & filter before running.
tomplum
10 years ago
If there is no fuel in the oil, me thinks it is head gasket time. These will pressurize the crankcase and push the oil up the pulse tube.
woodsrunner55
10 years ago
I believe tomplum has it right. I just went through this last year with the same engine in a Cub Cadet. Same symptoms with oil oozing out of the fuel pump when running. New head gasket solved the problem.

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