Small gas engine woes

[cool hand]

It seems that many small gas-powered engines are pre-set at the factory to run as lean as possible and maybe a little leaner. They are made so they are not user adjustable. Only factory authorized technicians can work on them, and that is expensive as buying a new one. They simply will not run satisfactorily under load. I understand that all this is due to EPA regulations. Is there some way to deal with this (special fuel, special tools, etc.?)

 

[Mark - IN.]

About 15 or so years ago when I lived in Illinois, had a mower that was about a year old that couldn't get to run worth a darn. I was mad, but went to Home Depot ready to purchase a new one. The mower area guy said he'd be happy to sell me one, but the problem wasn't the mower. It was the EPA gas clogging the carb. OK, went home, took the carb off and cleaned it, put it back on, mower ran great. I was getting about three mows out of it before I had to take the carb off and clean it. Finally I started bring gas back to Illinois from rural Indiana that wasn't the same blend that I had to purchase there. Stopped needing to clean my carb after that.

Good luck.

Mark

 

[retired farmer]

Read somewhere you can buy the special tool to adjust the phony heads they have on some jet screws on eBay. I made my own from a piece of tubing, drove it over the screw and backed them out and cut a slot for a screwdriver. I have heard that some of the newer carbs don't have adjustment screws.

 

[Den N Ms]

Cool hand,Some carbs can be adjusted with special tools.Some carbs can not be adjusted and have to be taken apart and the main jet opened up to larger sizes to get enough fuel mixture.Using a torch tip cleaner or torch tip drills.

 

[Den N Ms]

Retired Farmer,I made my own odd ball carb adjustment tools also.
Check small engine carburetor adjustment tools on Ebay.

 

[shunkfarm]

I have lots of carb issues with this nasty gas we are forced to use! Especially on engines that dont get used a lot.

The Stihl dealer up the road says that Stihl might demand you run their canned fuel or void warranty.
Jay

 

[Dave Sherburne, NY]

I have a cheap small Homelite chainsaw that was just adjusted to lean to run well. I took a piece of brake line and fitted it over the adjusting screw and took the screw right out. Then I cut a slot in the top of the screw for a screwdriver so I could adjust it. I was able to get it running well after that.

 

[Ronnie Graves]

ever heard of magnuson/moss look it up and read it
if any manufactur requires you to use their brand of consumeable it must be furnshed free of charge
(fuel ,oil ,filters )

 

[Steve@Advance]

I know what you mean, just had to deal with one today. A Kawasaki 4 stroke on a commercial push mower. Got to where it just would not run without giving the primer bulb a push. No amount of cleaning would correct it, so ended up drilling the main jet .002". Used one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-piece-Small-Numbered/dp/B005AX72LC/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1429763651&sr=8-12&keywords=wire+gauge+drill+bits

This has to be done very carefully, no going back short of finding another jet if you go too far. Be sure there isn't another problem, like clogged idle jet, vacuum leaks, low float level, fuel restriction, compression problems, etc.

I start by determining what size the jet is. Using the shank end of the drill bit, find the size that will pass through the jet without forcing it. Then drill it to the next size and try it. Might have to repeat several times to get it right.

The little 2 stroke carbs sometimes have adjustment screws hidden under caps, special heads, or adjustment limiter caps. They can easily be accessed with a little surgery and determination. The screws with serrated heads can be turned with a short piece of 1/4" poly tubing pushed over the head.

 

[NoNewParts]

(quoted from post at 02:01:06 04/23/15) I know what you mean, just had to deal with one today. A Kawasaki 4 stroke on a commercial push mower. Got to where it just would not run without giving the primer bulb a push. No amount of cleaning would correct it, so ended up drilling the main jet .002". Used one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-piece-Small-Numbered/dp/B005AX72LC/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1429763651&sr=8-12&keywords=wire+gauge+drill+bits

This has to be done very carefully, no going back short of finding another jet if you go too far. Be sure there isn't another problem, like clogged idle jet, vacuum leaks, low float level, fuel restriction, compression problems, etc.

I start by determining what size the jet is. Using the shank end of the drill bit, find the size that will pass through the jet without forcing it. Then drill it to the next size and try it. Might have to repeat several times to get it right.

The little 2 stroke carbs sometimes have adjustment screws hidden under caps, special heads, or adjustment limiter caps. They can easily be accessed with a little surgery and determination. The screws with serrated heads can be turned with a short piece of 1/4" poly tubing pushed over the head.

good advice.
like to add, that a drill bit exactly the same size as the hole, twirled in your fingers will 'buff' the ID the tiniest bit
bigger if you only need a little.
And if you go too big drilling, small wires inserted in the jet hole will
get you back in the game.
I've had to do the wire thing on many tractor carbs
where the PO drilled out a non-adjustable, non-removeable jet too big.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I had just the opposite with my 20 hp kohler command. No adjustments, all fixed jets and running a little on the rich side. So I found a carb off an 18 hp kohler, now it's running a little on the lean side until it warms up.

You still have the float to play with. Try raising the fuel level just a little. By boy was given a snow blower, 5 hp briggs 2 cycle. It was running a little on the rich side. I told him to lower the fuel level with float adjustment. It worked just fine last winter. He ever cleaned his neighbor's drive with it. The neigbor who gave it to him.

 

[mkirsch]

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to buy or own one of those tools if you don't work on small engines for a living.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I had a weedwacker that required a special screw driver to adjust carb. I got one off
ebay for about $6, shipping included. I don't work on small engine for a living. No one
asked either.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 17:44:59 04/23/15) I'm pretty sure it's illegal to buy or own one of those tools if you don't work on small engines for a living.

llegal? Sorry, you have mistaken me for someone WGAS!

 

[oldtanker]

(quoted from post at 14:44:59 04/23/15) I'm pretty sure it's illegal to buy or own one of those tools if you don't work on small engines for a living.

I think about the only way they would catch you would be if you started to do adjustments as a side line and advertised it.

I had problems, not bad with newer engines. Local small engine told me to start using ethanol free gas. Haven't had any problems sense.

Some small engine makers are not forcing you to use thier gas but do offer extended warranties if you do. For as much as I use my saw it's a waste of money to me. I'll never wear it out.

Rick

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 18:44:59 04/23/15) I'm pretty sure it's illegal to buy or own one of those tools if you don't work on small engines for a living.

Please post the law that says it's illegal. Near as I can tell it's an urban legend.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Jessie,
It can't be my mistake, must be a computer error. Ha,HA
I intended reply for mkirsch. Sorry. Old age problem.
George