OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Tecumseh / Kirby Engines Tecumseh on a Toro mower

I've got an older Toro lawn mower #20700 with a Tecumseh motor and a fixed main carb. I've rebuilt the carb (new float, seat and atospheric plug), cleaned it out. It doesn't want to run. At first all it did was run on what I could prime via the bulb. But after fiddling with it I got it to run buy placing my hand over the carb intake and regulating the vacume. I had the linkeage apart (governor and throttle) and I'm not sure if I've reassembled them correctly in sync. When running it wants to lope. There is no response to the throttle lever. Also it will only run when the air cleaner assemply is installed...I guess for vacume.
Any help would be appreciated. What can I do to tune this into a runner?
Thanks.

Your motor needs to be choked because there is not enough fuel getting to the engine. check the fuel line by blowing through it. if it seems block you will have to replace it. If this is not the case, your floats may be down too low.

Thanks Luke for the reply. I checked the fuel line and it appears to be clear. I'll try resetting the float but I was told 11/64"and that's where I'm at. Is erring on the wider side better? WHy no throttle response? Where can I get a picture of the correct way to connect the rod from the throttle and the rod from the butterfly to the governor?
Thanks again Luke.

Spike- These are good engines but are very finiky as to carb setup. They don't have a measured distance for the float. They have a special guage for setting float height. Also carb linkage can be a little tricky due to so many different configurations. Suggest you get a Techumse Service Manual, $8 to $10 dollars I think, or check your local library. Many have several good books for repairing small engines. You will have to get the guage from a Techumse dealer. Part number will be in the book.If everything is right, these engines start easy and run great. Hope this helps. John

Thanks John. I'll go looking for that manual.
Spike

Spike- Just reread your post. The nut that holds the float bowl on has one or two very small holes that meter the fuel . These must be clean. Also, I usually put the nozzle on the can of carb cleaner an shoot cleaner thru all passages I can find. If you do this and set the float level with the guage, I think you'll find it will run pretty good.John

Did all that John. The bowl bolt has one hole in it and I cleared it. Also did the carb cleaner trick as well. I have instructions from a Tecumseh manual that says 11/64" is the gap. Did that too. Still does the same thing. I'm beginning to feel like this is a "man against machine" battle of the "minds".
Next??
Thanks John.

Spike,
Have you checked your valve clearance?
Also check the valve seats for pit marks etc because if the valves are not seating correctly you will have problems that you have described.

Regards,
Bruce

Valve clearance? I'll have to check that out. I don't have any spec on it but I suppose I can find it. I'll check out any recession or pits too.
Thanks Bruce.