18.5 Briggs and Straton engine

[haphazard]

Why does my motor cough and sputter and blow lots of black smoke. Doesn't run to well either. This is on a Troy-bilt riding lawn mower.

 

[El Toro]

Sounds like the carburetor is set too rich and needs to be leaned out. I would pull off a plug wire and see what the fire to the plug look's like. If it looks yellow and weak your coil may be getting weak. I would call B&S at 1-800-444-7744 and see what they say. Hal

 

[Kentb of SWMO]

If this engine is the 18.5 I think it is, the high speed section IS NOT adjustable. Look to a stuck float from fuel that has gone bad.

Kent

 

[haphazard]

This motor was running fine until one day when I pulled the throttle back nothing happened, it kept running fast. The little hook had broke off, my husband bent the end and put it back together. It has run bad ever sinse. Spark plugs are constantly fouling out. Clean them and won't run 2 minutes until fouled out again. Also when I checked the oil there was to much in it when the day before it was fine. Could gas be leaking into it some way?

 

[Kentb of SWMO]

Sounds as if you have gasoline in the oil. DO NOT run this engine until you have CHANGED the oil. You need some carb. work. I think it is coincidence that this started after you throttle control wire issue.

Kent

 

[El Toro]

I wouldn't run that engine until you have the problem fixed. Your float may be the culprit if it has a metal float could be full of gas and sinking not shutting off the flow of gas. Some Ford cars had floats made from a composite and they would become gas soaked and would sink causing flooding. You probably need to have that carburetor rebuilt. Hal

 

[haphazard]

Thanks guys for your comments. Had a friend come over who works on small motors. Come to find out the way my husband had put the throttle cable back on he had it wide open when pushed all the forward and that was causing it to choke down. Runs good now but will not mow with it until we change the oil. He said the gas in the oil will wash off the bearings and throw a rod or something to that effect. Any way thanks again for the comment and I am sure I will be on here again.

 

[haphazard]

Thought I would post what this engine is: 18.5 Briggs and Stratton Intek twin OHV Model#407777 Type 0174E1 Code 030804Y8

 

[jd b puller]

I think what you're saying is that you have a single stick for both the throttle and choke. Shortening this wire activated the choke.

Everything is probably fine with your carb, but change the oil. As bad as it would have been running, I doubt you ran it very long that way.

You don't have any bearings in that motor, and I think there's only one bushing (upper main), everything else is just steel on aluminum and vice versa. Without good oil = bad.