[rippinryno]

OK guys I picked up a log splitter with an 8 hp Briggs & Stratton motor the horizontal. When I first got it it would fire up with the choke on shortly run and then die. I cleaned the carb and still had the same symptoms although I was able to use the log splitter for about 30 minutes with the choke on. Anyway, I bought a new carb. After installing the new carb I have the exact same problem I put a clear fuel line on there and I can see it flowing to the carb. if I shoot starter fluid in the intake it will fire up and run but shortly after it will die I know the carb was clean because it's brand new. I am pretty handy with small engines however this one has me stumped for this not seem to be a fuel issue although the symptoms are very much like a fuel problem

 

[Bolens 1000]

How your spark?

 

[rippinryno]

Spark is good every time I check it. And the fact that it'll fire up with starter fluid consistently tells me it's not spark. I replaced plug when I got it. New plug new carb and new fuel line. Fuel flow seems good when I pull line off the carb it pours fine

 

[637Yeoman]

Spark is good every time I check it. And the fact that it'll fire up with starter fluid consistently tells me it's not spark. I replaced plug when I got it. New plug new carb and new fuel line. Fuel flow seems good when I pull line off the carb it pours fine

Problem might be that its getting hot and messing with the spark. I dont know why it messes stuff up but it does.

My simplicity 637 Yeoman runs great. Rebuilt carb. and every thing.

How ever. It dosent have points and condensers. It has some sort of total loss system but no car coil.

Any ways. you can mow with and do what ever you want for as long as you want. but if you shut it off it wont start. So you might be having some sort of heat issue like i have.

 

[Bolens 1000]

I'd run a spark tester on it and see if the spark goes intermittent or goes completely many times a spark looks good while out the cylinder but under compression its a whole different story

 

[bbuckler]

Get a picture of the end of the spark plug.

 

[Chopperhed]

How's the screen on the fuel line, if it has one?
some tanks have a screen inside that can plug up.
It sound to me that fuel flow is inadequate., but, really, it's only 8 hp, it should take very little.

Could it be temperature related, possibly valves? or vibration in the coil or wire.

Does it have a decent air filter? is the exhaust modified?

 

[Eric]

When you replaced the carb did you just buy an exact copy of the carb coming off or did you look the engine up and order by referencing the manual? Sometimes used machines have the wrong parts on them due to bad research or just plain lazy syndrome! Could be a similar but not exactly the right carb or wrong parts used during rebuild, those carb kits can get tricky and look the same just different needles or orifices. Just a thought, good luck!

 

[rippinryno]

JUSt to clear up some potential possible issues that I've already tested. The carb for this older horizontal 8hp briggs was original. These motors are great and I'm rather familiar with them as I've cleaned several of these carbs. I ordered a china replacement off ebay for about $20. I was hoping this would fix my issue as it has in the past. But again, even with the new carb, i still have the same symptons. I have run a fuel line directly into the carb off of a funnel and my issue still persists. The fuel from the tank is flowing properly but i did bypass it with a straight funnel and fuel line in order to eliminate that possibility. First thing I do on a machine that has "no fuel" symptons is put a clear line in place so that i can see the fuel flowing. The spark plug wire does appear new, which tells me somebody replaced it in order to address a possible no spark issue. As stated, the machine will fire up consistantly with ether. It will not stay running though, it dies when the ether runs out, then i have to spray more in and fire it up again.

it's getting frustrating, but it's something I'm determined to fix. I have no interest in buying a motor to replace this seeing as this one has potential to run. I will likely pull the motor off the machine and do a full maintenance and partial rebuild on it. It seems i cannot determine the problem and have only been able to make it run steady with the choke on during one sitting and that was with the original carb.

 

[tater195]

Blown head gasket?

 

[jms180]

how is the compression. with choke on it is pulling more fuel and less air. sounds like fuel restriction in the carb or pick up tubes clogged.

 

[petrj6]

I agree with compression, check that then check the valve seats. I know you say it isn't a fuel problem but have you checked the float, if that it out of adjustment then it will run itself out of gas and take a few minutes to re-fill
Pete

 

[rippinryno]

I agree with compression, check that then check the valve seats. I know you say it isn't a fuel problem but have you checked the float, if that it out of adjustment then it will run itself out of gas and take a few minutes to re-fill
Pete

not only have i checked the float, i've checked both floats on both carbs, remember i did put a new carb on this thing. I'm going to double check compression tonight to see where it is at, however the thing seems to have plenty and will run good and fire right up with fluid.

 

[tater195]

... that is because you are injecting the fuel instead of it being drawn in from the venturi

low compression and leaks will cause that

 

[jms180]

... that is because you are injecting the fuel instead of it being drawn in from the venturi
low compression and leaks will cause that

I agree

 

[rippinryno]

i will double check the compression. i'm fully aware as to why the thing is running off of starter fluid and not the gas int he carb. however, you do realize that if i can draw it through the intake which runs directly through the carb into the intake, it should be drawing it out of the carb int he same exact manner, i'm not injecting fuel into the cylinder it's drawing itself into the cylinder just as it would from the carb. This is an upflow carburetor meaning when i spray ether into the intake it's going straight up through the carb just as the fuel in the carb would. I'm now wondering if this is a spark related issue, i plan to take the motor off the implement tonight and get it ont he bench for a full inspection i'll let everybody nkow.

Either way it's very wierd that it will run off ether but not off of the gas that's going to the carb. also i cannot maintain it to run with ether, it will still die if i continue to spray it, then i can pull the starter cord and it will fire back up for 2 seconds again.

 

[jms180]

Either way it's very wierd that it will run off ether but not off of the gas that's going to the carb. also i cannot maintain it to run with ether, it will still die if i continue to spray it, then i can pull the starter cord and it will fire back up for 2 seconds again

strange that it will not continue running on starting fluid maybe loosing spark. should pick back up with a little spray after starting. If you had another coil just for test and make sure gap is set correct.

 

[bbuckler]

Does it have points and condenser ? If it does it might be the problem .

 

[rippinryno]

So I cleaned the tank again today and I'm noticing that fuel is not pulling into the carb. I can attach the clear fuel line 1 and when I open the petcock on the gas tank no gas will flow through the line while it is connected to the carb if I disconnected from the car it will flow in pour. It's as though my carb isn't sucking fuel and won't allow to fill

 

[rippinryno]

it's almost like the fuel can't flow when the gas line is attached. THis morning I drained the tank. attached the fuel line to the carb, filled the tank and then opened the petcock, zero gas went into the carb. as soon as i pulled the line off the carb it started flowing.