ohv 160 leaking gas out of carb at idle

[patb069]

Hi all. So my Tecumseh 160 was running terribly. The fuel in the tank was filthy. I suspect that the guy I bought the machine from just filled up the tank with fresh gas without cleaning out the old crud. I pulled drained and cleaned the fuel tank. I replaced all the fuel lines. I pulled and cleaned the walbro carb. I removed whatever could be unscrewed and sprayed air and carb cleaner in everything. Now at idle, gas comes pouring out of the mouth of the carb. As I rev the engine, it slows down, but when I come off the gas it comes out much worse. I dont see a way to acces the main jet. The carb seems pretty simplistic. I see only 1 adjustment screw other than the idle adjustment. I set that to where it was before I removed it for cleaning (about 8 turns in from the top) I really dont want to throw another 120 bucks at this engine for a new carb. Any ideas on what may be wrong? Thanks.
Pat

[ARGOJIM]

Possibly a stuck float? some of the Tecumseh's need the fuel bowl oriented correctly. I would also set the mixture screws at 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 turns out from (finger tight) bottom and adjust from there

[Dave Smith]

I would definitely pull carb, soak it in carb cleaner for a day or so, then put in a rebuild kit. I did that with my OH160 and its been running great. Watch that leaking fuel though. Years ago I had the same problem, the engine backfired out the carb and the gas ignited. That was fun. Goodluck.

[amphibious drew]

My suggestion would be to make sure the coils are good, and part that thing out to the tractor pull guys. My OH160 was nothing but headaches in my Attex. I hated that thing. I dumped so much into it and spent so much time working on it. The carbs are the main problem, but if anything goes wrong, they cost a fortune to fix. That coil is a good start to buying a new engine.

[patb069]

Thanks for input guys. I was going to try to save this engine for my sons Wild Wolf once I get the new engine for my Max. The more I work on the OH 160, the more I am realizing Drew is right.

[jpswift1]

Pat, the Tecumseh OH160 coil, starter, stator, carburetor, flywheel, head and valvetrain, voltage regulator, and other miscellaneous parts will bring over $300 on ebay. It's a good way to go.