For Briggs & Stratton Discount Parts Call 606-678-9623 or 606-561-4983

TROUBLESHOOTING FLOW CHARTS

www.mymowerparts.com

Bowl Style Carburetor Troubleshooting

Hunts and Surges Will Run only on Prime Will run only if the choke is used

Determine that the governor system is functioning properly using the proper isolation techniques

Does the engine still hunt and surge?

No

Troubleshoot governor system

Yes

Done!

Partially engage choke or gently touch primer bulb

No

Does the engine improve?

Yes

Inspect, clean or replace mainjet and retest

Does the engine still hunt and surge?

No

Remove and clean carburetor, retest engine

Yes

Does the engine still hunt and surge?

Yes

Replace Carburetor

No

Flow Chart Key Done! Problem Question Answer Action Result

Compression Diagnostics Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Low Power Check for proper top no load speed by model and type number Is the top no load speed OK? Yes Is there a parasitic load? No

Check bowden wire/throttle control for full range travel

Yes Low or High

Dont Know

No

Is it correct?

Yes

Disengage load by removing belts, etc.

Repair as needed

No

Still low power?

Repair load issues as needed

Partially engage choke

Yes

Is leakage detected?

Check for intake tract leaks, gasket leaks, loose/leaking carburetor space blocks, loose/leaking crossover tubes

Yes

Does speed increase or engine run more smoothly?

No Repair as needed

No

Perform leakdown test

Overhaul carburetor looking closely for obstructed jets Reading acceptable

Is leakage detected?

Adjust valve lash Leakage unacceptable

Flow Chart Key

Repair as needed

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Compression Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Engine Smokes What color is the smoke? Black/Gray Check/repair fuel system

Excessive Oil Consumption

White/Blue

Yes

Is Engine Smoking?

Yes

Does oil level drop more than one ounce per hour?

Yes

Was engine tipped?

No

No

No

Check for oil fouled lter element

Check for over lled oil level Check for fuel contaminated oil Check for proper viscosity

Oil use acceptable

Is the lter fouled?

No Leakage unacceptable Rapair/replace faulty components

Yes

Is leakage detected? Replace and run Engine for ten minutes

Reading acceptable

Perform Crankcase Vacuum Test

Perform Leakdown Test Is it still smoking?

Yes

Is Vacuum Test OK?

Low No Yes External oil leaks present? No

Re-check all work

Yes Done!

Check breather system Check crankcase seals Check block for porosity

Repair as needed

No

Is vacuum now ok?

Done!

Yes

Flow Chart Key

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Fuel System Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Engine Wont Start/Run Check for: Clean, fresh fuel supply, shutoff valve open, carb adjustments properly made, controls functioning All ok? No Correct and recheck

Yes

Check carburetor mounting gasket

Check spark plug

No

Is the spark plug wet?

Yes

Check for: Clogged air cleaner, stale fuel, oil/water in fuel, misadjusted controls, choke plate closed, damaged needle valve

Yes

Does the engine start/run?

No

Yes

Does the engine start/run?

Check fuel supply/passages

Check carburetor Put fuel in carburetor

Put fuel in spark plug hole

Done!

No

Yes

Does the engine start/run? No Does it have a Flo-jet Carburetor?

No What kind of carburetor? Diaphragm Carburetor

Yes
Recheck other work

Flo-jet Carburetor

Check Compression Check for: Gummy/dirty inlet screen, valve stuck, bad diaphragm, restricted passages in tank/carburetor

Check for: Inlet valve stuck open, improper oat level, dirt in the carburetor, loose nozzle(s)

Check for: Clogged fuel line/ lter, fuel inlet valve closed, improper oat level, carburetor fuel passages plugged/restricted, faulty fuel pump

Done! Done!

Done!

Flow Chart Key

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Systematic Troubleshooting Electrical System Flow Chart

Engine Wont Start

Check for spark to ground.

OK

Check spark plug/replace if necessary. Try to start engine.

None

Will engine start?

Yes

Done!

Check armature air gap.

Incorrect

No

OK

Adjust armature air gap

Check/replace ywheel key

Yes

Will engine start?

Will engine start?

Yes

Done!

Done!

No

No

Isolate engine from equipment Check fuel system Check compression system

Check for spark to ground.

None

Check coil to block ground.

None

OK

OK Fix

Check for misadjusted controls

Check interlock switching

Check grounding wire diode (if equipped)

Replace Coil

Flow Chart Key

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Governor Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Air Vane Governor Overspeeding
Done! Air Vane Governor Overspeeding

No Check the cooling system

Is the cooling system ok?

No

Remove dirt and debris from outside and inside of blower housing, test engine

Still overspeeding?

Yes Yes

Done!

Check ywheel ns

No

Are the ywheel ns ok?

No

Replace ywheel if ns are missing or broken, test engine

Still overspeeding?

Yes Yes Done!

Check for uneven or binding resistance in air vane travel from stop to stop

No

Resistance problem?

Yes

Indentify resistance and repair, test engine

Still overspeeding?

No Yes

Inspect governor spring and controls for damage or improper installation

Replace governor spring or controls, test engine

Done! Flow Chart Key

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Governor Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Air Vane Governor Engine Runs Too Slow

Air Vane Governor Engine Runs Too Slow

Done!

Move trottle control to idle, check for binding or uneven resistance in air vane travel from stop to stop

No

Resistance problem?

Yes

Indentify resistance and repair, re-test engine

Engine still runs too slow?

No Yes

Inspect governor spring and controls for damage or improper installation

Replace governor spring or controls, re-test engine

Done!

Flow Chart Key

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Governor Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Hunting and Surging
Still hunting and surging?

Hunting and Surging

Adjust carburetor idle speed, idle fuel, and top no load fuel, test engine

No

Done!

Yes

Perform static governor adjustment procedure, test engine

Still hunting and surging?

No

Done!

Yes

Done!

Inspect governor link spring for damage or improper installation

No

Link spring need repair or replacement?

Yes

Repair or replace link spring as needed, test engine

Still hunting and surging?

No Yes Done!

Disconnect governor spring, check for binding or uneven resistance in governor arm travel from stop to stop

No

Resistance problem?

Yes

Indentify resistance and repair, test engine

Still hunting and surging?

No Yes

Inspect governor spring and controls for damage or improper installation

Flow Chart Key Replace governor spring or controls, test engine Done! Problem Question Answer Action Result

Governor Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Mechanical Governor Engine Runs Too Slow

Mechanical Governor Engine Runs Too Slow

Perform the static governor adjustment procedure, test engine

Engine still runs too slow?

No

Done!

Yes

Adjust governor spring tension, test engine

Engine still runs too slow?

No

Done!

Yes Done!

Disconnect governor spring, check for binding or uneven resistance in governor arm travel from stop to stop

No

Resistance problem?

Yes

Indentify resistance and repair, test engine

Engine still runs too slow?

No Yes

Inspect governor spring and controls for damage or improper installation

Replace governor spring or controls, test engine

Done! Flow Chart Key

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Governor Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Mechanical Governor Engine Overspeeds
Perform the static governor adjustment procedure, test engine Still overspeeding? No

Mechanical Governor Engine Overspeeds

Adjust governor spring tension, test engine

Yes

Done!

Still overspeeding?

No

Done!

Yes Done!

Disconnect governor spring, check for binding or uneven resistance in governor arm travel from stop to stop

No

Resistance problem?

Yes

Indentify resistance and repair, test engine

Still overspeeding?

No Yes

Done!

Move throttle plate to the wide open position and start engine

No

Does engine return to idle?

No

Remove crankcase cover or sump and inspect or replace internal governor mechanism, test engine

Still overspeeding?

Yes Yes

Inspect governor spring and controls for damage or improper installation

Replace governor spring or controls, test engine

Flow Chart Key Done!

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Compression System Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Leakdown Test
Reading acceptable

Perform Leakdown Test

Is leakdown test ok?

Recheck other work

Leakage unacceptable

Where is the air primarily leaking from?

Muf er

Dipstick Tube

Air Cleaner

Cylinder Head

Reset exhaust valve

Check rings

Reset intake valve

Check head gasket

Flow Chart Key

Problem

Question

Answer

Action

Result

Gaseous Fueled Engine Troubleshooting

Engine does not accelerate from low speed to high speed or run smoothly when loaded. Frost forming on the regulator or on the fuel line liquid (not vapor) entering the system.

Plugged vent ports on the regulator.

Remove plastic shipping plugs.

Wrong type of propane tank set up for liquid withdrawal.

Replace the fuel tank or change to the vapor withdrawal port.

Less than 11 inches of water pressure at the inlet of the secondary regulator.

Adjust the output of the primary regulator to 11 inches of water pressure. If natural gas supply is lower than 11 inches of water, a different secondary regulator may be required consult factory.

Tank is positioned wrong (typically tanks that lay on their side).

Fuel tanks have a receptacle for a locator pin that orients the tank for a speci c withdrawal. Pin may be in the wrong location or missing. Reposition tank.

Fuel tank is over lled. More than 14 inches of water pressure at the inlet of the secondary regulator at full load. Adjust the primary regulator to achieve 11 inches of water pressure while under load. Note: if pressure at inlet of secondary regulator increases upon starting the engine, check primary regulator for holes or tears in the diaphragm or dirt on the inlet seat.

Fill to labeled tank capacity only.

Fuel tank is too small, especially if the ambient is low.

Increase the size of the fuel tank to increase the vaporization rate of the fuel. Consult with local gas supplier.

Plugged fuel lter.

Replace fuel lter.

Restriction within the fuel line.

Remove restriction or replace damaged part.

Kinked or obstructed fuel hose.

Remove the kink and/or replace the hose. Gas will not stop owing after engine is stopped.

No or low fuel in tank.

Refuel the tank.

Propane tank is too small.

Appropriately size the fuel tank for the engine horsepower and lowest ambient temperature.

Regulator is not adjusted properly.

Adjust the regulator so that when the outlet tube is placed in water, a gas bubble just begins to form. Back off on the adjustment so that the bubble is maintained but does not grow.

Fuel transfer solenoid in the wrong position.

When the fuel solenoid is energized or if the main mixture adjustment screw is completely seated, the engine is con gured for propane gas (too lean of a mixture for natural gas). If the fuel solenoid is not energized, the engine is con gured for natural gas (too rich mixture with propane).

Atmospheric side of the secondary regulator is pressurized.

Remove plastic shipping plugs or revise the regulator venting.

Debris on inlet needle of secondary regulator. Carburetor not adjusted properly (natural gas only). Readjust the mixture needles on the carburetor.

Clean the system of debris and install a fuel lter. Use liquid pipe sealant do not use Te on tape.

Air leak in the fuel line from secondary to carburetor.

Tighten the clamps or replace the hose.

Regulator not positioned vertically.

Regulator may only be positioned with the outlet pointing straight up. A directional arrow is also shown on the smooth side of the regulator.

Holes, tears or damaged diaphragm in secondary regulator.

Replace damaged part. Gas leak from fuel line.

Debris on inlet needle of regulator.

Clean system of debris and add a fuel lter. Use liquid pipe sealant do not use Te on tape. Loose tting. Tighten tting replace if damaged.

Engine will not start.

Damaged, cracked or worn hose.

Replace hose.

Out of fuel.

Refuel the tank. Gas leak from regulator.

Fuel supply shut off.

Open fuel tank.

Filter or vacuum lock off is not opening.

Check for proper operation of all fuel lock off (safety) devices. If electrically actuated, check for dead battery or blown fuse. Replace lock off device if it is not functioning properly

Damaged diaphragm in regulator.

Replace damaged part.

Vacuum leak in the vacuum lock off device.

Replace vacuum line or tighten clamps. Replace vacuum lock off if damaged.

Flow Chart Key

Filter is plugged.

Replace lter.

Symptom

Potential Cause

Action

Briggs&Stratton corporation

Customer Education PO BOX 702 Milwaukee, WI 53201 USA 414 259 5333

CE8117-09/08