Hello mechanics, My old Colt ride on starts fine and runs ok but when I engage the blades on the grass, the engine splutters and dies. I have recently replaced the belt and it did half the lawn fine then died. I have cleaned the air filter with petrol and am waiting for that to dry but the carb looks pretty ordinary. There is a small spring that has come off that is probably important. Is anyone aware of a service manual or something I might look up how to remove and clean the carb or am I on the wrong path altogether? Many thanks, Josh
Most likely a blocked up fuel screen, or the fuel bowl in the tank has water or rubbish in it.
There are briggs workshop manuals but most are printed, I've not seen them online.
That little spring doesn't do much, just takes the slop out of the throttle linkage. you're local mower shop should have one but last time i got one last week it was approx $15 for it
3 bolts remove the carb, 2 head bolts and one at the back of the tank.
Carb off, remove the 3 i think screws that hold it to the tank, check the tubes that go down into the tank. they have screens in them. Won't hurt to check you're diaphragm while you have it off too.
Most likely a blocked up fuel screen, or the fuel bowl in the tank has water or rubbish in it.
There are briggs workshop manuals but most are printed, I've not seen them online.
That little spring doesn't do much, just takes the slop out of the throttle linkage. you're local mower shop should have one but last time i got one last week it was approx $15 for it
This. But just get a new diaphragm, while you've got the carby apart anyway.
The Briggs Repair Manuals aren't viewable online AFAIK, but PDF versions can be downloaded [free to ODK Subscribers] from HERE
#270962, or #CE8069 if the engine is pre-1982, is the one you want.
If you can give us the Model/Type/Code numbers for the engine, we can point you to the Illustrated Parts List for it, and determine its date of manufacture.
These numbers will be stamped on the cowling, above the spark plug. A touch up with a wire brush will usually make them legible.
Cheers, Gadge
"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."
"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
Another thing to try is to rev the motor up on the governor arm and put the heel of you hand onto the throat of the carby for a second, let go of the governor, allow the motor to settle again, repeat this process a few times and it may clean/suck out whatever is causing the problem. It may clear it, it may not got nothing to loose.
Thanks for the tips guys, I will give all those a try today. I still can't figure out what model or size motor I have. There is a B&S logo on the air filter sponge and pull cord handle but those are the only branding or markings I can find on the motor. There have been some backyard repair jobs done by previous owners which may be obscuring the numbers above the spark plug. Can anyone tell what I have from the pics?
It looks like you could fit one of the later pulsa jet carbs to it, at least that would tell where the problem was. Only downside is the fuel tank would be a lot smaller. At least this way you would know which way to head
Well that all went a bit pear-shaped. I decided to give everything a degrease and couldn't start the thing at all to test as you guys suggested. I noticed a wire had become disconnected and the piece I think it was connected to fell out. I can see the square hole this piece should go in but no idea which way up or down it goes. Do I push the plastic piece down into the hole or up from the bottom? Any ideas gratefully received?
That just pushes up from the bottom, it is just a bog standard Briggs kill switch. It has nothing to do with it not starting, unless the end of the wire is touching something metal. It is only used for stopping the motor. It looks like the wire may be resting against the tank and that could be killing the ignition.
Another thing to try is to rev the motor up on the governor arm and put the heel of you hand onto the throat of the carby for a second, let go of the governor, allow the motor to settle again, repeat this process a few times and it may clean/suck out whatever is causing the problem. It may clear it, it may not got nothing to loose.
This did the trick! Lawn mowed. Thanks for all the tips guys, I'll be back.
Just a quick heads-up, on a potential problem with the Foote 35 gearbox on your machine - the OEM grease in it, which is supposed to be 'semi-fluid', goes off and sets 'hard' over time. This results in excessive wear of some of the internal parts, which are no longer available as spares.
