Stubborn Merry Tiller

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Stubborn Merry Tiller
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SteveP

Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Posts: 155
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 15 9:48 am Post subject: Stubborn Merry Tiller

As the title. It ran when I garaged it last year but now it wont run.

I have done the obvious, checked spark, compression, fresh fuel.

It will fire when I put petrol directly into the cylinder or the carb but stops very quickly. That indicates to me a fuel starvation but I am open to opinions.

Has anyone any knowledge of a Briggs&Stratton Major and can offer any advice where to go from here? Preferably without dismantling the carb.

Does any small engine expert on the forum want a service job?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 15 9:54 am Post subject:
Lorraine...

perlogalism

Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 440
Location: Near Welshpool

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 15 4:44 pm Post subject:
Pull the fuel line off the carb and turn the engine over. See if the fuel comes out. If not see if there's a fuel filter and replace it if there is. If not, take off the whole pipe and see if there's a blockage in that.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 15 4:58 pm Post subject:
I've no idea at all. Stubborn Merry Tiller sounds like a recalcitrant hobbit though.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 15 5:07 pm Post subject:
Use some carb cleaner to clear out the carb. Check seals haven't perished as can happen with pump petrol containing ethanol. Carb service kits are inexpensive and it doesn't take long to service a carb. While you at it check the float and fuel flow needle. I've ignored your comment about taking the carb apart.

SteveP

Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Posts: 155
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 15 6:08 pm Post subject:

I tried some carb cleaner in the chamber, anywhere else will require dismantling the carb. Not convinced it has a float but I am no expert. To get fuel to the carb with a float requires a fuel pump doesn't it? The carb is above the tank and fuel comes from below. maybe I need to find an exploded parts diagram.

I am very reluctant to play with the carb because I had a working Stihl brushcutter until I tried to service it. If all other suggestions don't fix it I have nothing to lose.

I was serious about anyone who is competant (and not too expensive) servicing it. The local commercial outfits charge more than it is worth.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 15 6:51 pm Post subject:

If you're reluctant to remove and take apart the carb then drain the tank into a container a look for debris such as rust. If you see any then is likely the carb will be blocked and will need to be dissembled. As the engine runs okay when fuel is available then you don't need to diagnose anything else unless there is missing info.

Start at the fuel tank and work you way back to the carb.

"Pulsa-jet engines can be troublesome to start from cold. Try filling the fuel tank brim full, if the engine then starts easily the fuel pump is not working properly. It may be that the tank has been dry and the pump needed priming but if the cold start problem persists the carburetor will need servicing."

SteveP

Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Posts: 155
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 15 11:07 am Post subject:
Thanks Vegplot. You are a real back saver. You deserve a medal. Over filling it did the trick

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 15 2:34 pm Post subject:

SteveP wrote:

Thanks Vegplot. You are a real back saver. You deserve a medal.

Over filling it did the trick

You're welcome.

It's a feature of the Pulsa-Jet carb that it requires priming if it left unused or drained of fuel. This is usually done by overfilling the petrol tank to ensure the top reservoir inside the tank has fuel. It's this reservoir that feed the carb.

Under normal running conditions the card pumps fuel from the bottom of the tank to the reservoir at the top of the tank but if this runs dry then you need to fill the tank to the brim in order to fill the reservoir.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 15 4:18 pm Post subject:
Can you advise how to get a quad bike running, please? I like this online mechanic thing...

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 15 4:26 pm Post subject:

Nick wrote:

Can you advise how to get a quad bike running, please?

I like this online mechanic thing...

I only 'do' old stuff. Both my motorbikes are 40+ (age and mph).

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 15 7:04 pm Post subject:

Nick wrote:

Can you advise how to get a quad bike running, please?

I like this online mechanic thing...

Remember that it hasn't got an automatic choke?

Of course you did, just like Jack did this morning.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 15 7:07 pm Post subject:

Cathryn wrote:

Nick wrote:

Can you advise how to get a quad bike running, please?

I like this online mechanic thing...

Remember that it hasn't got an automatic choke?

Of course you did, just like Jack did this morning.

You, no doubt, pointed that out to him?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 15 8:04 pm Post subject:

Cathryn wrote:

Nick wrote:

Can you advise how to get a quad bike running, please?

I like this online mechanic thing...

Remember that it hasn't got an automatic choke?

Of course you did, just like Jack did this morning.

Nope, it has a manual choke, which I used. It seems to flatten a battery very quickly, despite the battery being a year old, and having had no use.

It almost fires up, but not quite. I've put fresh fuel in, but not a lot. It sparks. Timing chain was an issue, but they fixed that. Could it have slipped?

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 15 8:43 pm Post subject:

The timing chain will certainly be an issue if it wasn't put back correctly.

Assuming it was the most likely, not definitely, cause is fuel starvation. As before start at the fuel tanks and work forwards. First thing you can try is disconnect the furl line into the carb. Turn on the fuel tap. If fuel spills everywhere then you know it's not the tank, tap, or fuel line. Turn off the tap, that bit is quite important. The wary will have found a suitable container in which to catch the fuel before opening the tap.

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