Rototiller Starting Problem

Fergienewbee · Jul 21, 2013

I have a Troy-Built Pony with a B &S 3.75 motor. It used to start on the first or second pull. I put gas in last week and it wouldn't start. Figured the gas might be old so I siphoned it out and put new gas in. It will pop and run for maybe two or three seconds and then quits. Acts almost like it isn't getting any gas. If I let it set for a while it will do the same thing but repeated pulls won't get it to pop once it quits. Any thoughts or way to check gas flow? I choke it each time. I've also tried it without choking and doesn't make any difference.

Larry

El Toro · Jul 21, 2013

Disconnect the gas line at the carburetor. Use a clean container to catch the gas. If there's just a trickle or no gas from the tank you have blockage in the tank or fuel line. If there's a full stream of gas your carburetor probably needs cleaning. Remove the sparkplug and pour about a tablespoon of fresh gas on top of the piston. Then see if the engine will start. Hal

retired farmer · Jul 21, 2013

Did you completely drain the tank? Had one last week that ran fine in the morning. Went to start it that evening and it ran for about five seconds and then quit. Finally pulled the tank off and drained out about half a cup of water and rust. Put spray carb cleaner thru the carb holes and blew it out with air. Put the tank back on and fresh gas and it started right up.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 21, 2013

Does that carb have a rectangle plate on the side of it? about 3/4"x1". If so that is the fuel pump. Cheap and easy to replace. I'd start there.

David G · Jul 21, 2013

Mine did that 2 years ago, has been sitting since, it is on my list to fix.

bobs old iron · Jul 21, 2013

i have the same problem with lawn mower motor, just took carb apart and cleaned/sprayed everything clean, starts on first pull without priming..

Fergienewbee · Jul 21, 2013

I'll try all of the below. Thanks. Will let you know.

Larry

JD Seller · Jul 21, 2013

I have had a sticking exhaust valve that will make them pop and then coast to a stop. The "new" gas will varnish pretty fast in hot weather. I have had to take the valves out and use a wire brush wheel on them to get the hard varnish off.

Easy way to find out if it is fuel or a sticking valve. Remove the air filter/cleaner. Have a can of brake clean or starting fluid handy. Crank the engine over and spray the fluid into the carb. If it runs then you have a fuel issue. If it does not then you have an exhaust valve sticking. It will return slow enough to pop the next time you crank it but not fast enough to run.

I have had several each year have sticking valves.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 21, 2013

if it has the bowl at the bottom of the carb, take that off and empty it - water has collected and is sitting at the bottom.

36 Coupe · Jul 21, 2013

When you take the bowl off take a close look at the bolt that holds the bowl on.It has holes that feed gas to the main jet.They plug easy.

schrade · Jul 21, 2013

my tiller 7hp tec wouldn"t start a few years back wasn"t getting gas in to carb rebuilt it carb ran great for three days friend tried to use a couple weeks later wouldn"t stay running more than a minute rubber seat in float needle swelled up to close off fuel inlet like to never find that new rubber and ran great

Geo-TH,In · Jul 21, 2013

Remove the breather and put a small amount of gas in it. If it starts and dies, you have a carb issue. If not, either you put too much gas in it or it has no spark.

Good place to start.

My pony has a 5 hp briggs. I have to choke mine to get it to fire. Is the on/off switch a part of the speed control? If my memory is correct, mine has both a high speed and low speed mixture jet. If I had a carb issue, I would make a note how may turns each jet is, then remove them, and put a puff of air in each hole. Sometimes this works and is easier than removing the carb and cleaning it.

My old briggs has the tank below the carb. There is a rubber diafram that acts like a fuel pump, that could be bad.

Let us know what you find.
George

Anonymous-0 · Jul 21, 2013

We had an old pony. I don't remember what size engine it had but it was the type with the carb mounted on tank. It got to where you had to hold the choke out as you cranked it because the choke would go in by itself when you pulled the rope. you had to choke it every time you started it whether it was hot or cold. Also, run some Seafoam through it. It does wonders.

cole in mo · Jul 21, 2013

Before you take it apart or buy parts, turn the needle valve out 1/4 turn and try it.

Bill Tom · Jul 21, 2013

Loosen the gas cap and try starting it. If it runs ok the vent in top of cap is stopped up. Run a little wire in the hole to clean it. Hope this helps.

huntingreen2day · Jul 21, 2013

carb diaphram or however you spell it.

MarkB_MI · Jul 22, 2013

Most likely it's a carb issue, although a sticking valve can behave that way as well. If you can keep it running by squirting a little starting fluid into the carb, then it's a fuel problem. If not, then it's likely a valve. Try squirting oil in the spark plug hole if it's a flathead, or down the intake manifold if it's overhead valve.

Rototiller Starting Problem

Fergienewbee

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El Toro

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retired farmer

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Anonymous-0

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David G

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bobs old iron

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Fergienewbee

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JD Seller

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Anonymous-0

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36 Coupe

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schrade

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Geo-TH,In

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Anonymous-0

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cole in mo

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Bill Tom

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huntingreen2day

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MarkB_MI

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