engine wont fire

[adventurer 94]

I have a 94 argo with a 16HP B&S engine, I had to tear it down because of a blown head gasket. After putting it back together now it won't fire with out a little starting fluid, it does not run on its own[ It is getting spark at the plugs and gas to the carb, float bowl is filling up. Any ideas that I could check??????








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[curtisbyrne]

what color spark you getting?

[adventurer 94]

I did not notice the color but it seemed strong, the Argo ran and started before I tore it down.

[curtisbyrne]

check compression and check the color of spark

[Noel Woods]

I would also check the fuel cut off solenoid (if you have one).

[ARGOJIM]

I would also check the fuel cut off solenoid (if you have one).

Noel I was thinking similar except of simply draining and cleaning the carb with compressed air at all ports, if it has a full bowl and spark ( unless the plugs are bad). My guess is that the bowl filled with water from the fuel sitting and separating. Try pumping some fuel with the carb supply line into a bottle.

[Timbo]

I have had luck pulling a spark plug and dipping the tip in gas, and then quickly screwing it back onto the cylinder head and trying to turn it over. If it briefly starts or almost starts then it is a fuel delivery problem or bad fuel that is being delivered. Not sure how long it sat before you replaced the headgasket... If not long then the fuel being bad probably isn't the issue. You can also troubleshoot by taking a spray bottle of gas and spraying gas directly into the throat of the carb which would then get sucked into the cylinder. If it doesn't start then it's most likely a compression or spark problem.

[adventurer 94]

Can anybody tell me how many psi I should have in a B&S 16hp when doing a compression check? I just checked my engine and have about 90 pounds. I am still trying to find my starting problem so I am checking everything. The motor started right up and ran not good of course but was able to drive it to where I worked on it.

[racerone3]

90 would be on the low side of acceptable.
Did you reset valve clearances when you put it back together? Put some oil down the spark plug holes and retest. if compression is better, then rings are the issue. If compression doesn't improve with oil then valves or head gaskets are usually to blame

[ARGOJIM]

With the decompression it is hard to get accurate readings( I think I got 100 or so), try the valves. Clean the carb.
replace the plugs.
did the engine start on its own?

[luffydog]

Check the wiring and fuel and choke make sure all is well.

[adventurer 94]

I have double checked everything I can, it has spark, it has gas to the carb, what is funny that it started and ran two days earlier. It almost seems like the gas is not coming OUT of the carb. I put a piece of paper over the carb to make sure the engine was sucking in air and it is.

[luffydog]

Check for water or bad fuel

[racerone3]

I have double checked everything I can, it has spark, it has gas to the carb, what is funny that it started and ran two days earlier. It almost seems like the gas is not coming OUT of the carb. I put a piece of paper over the carb to make sure the engine was sucking in air and it is.

does your carb have a fuel shut off solenoid? if so, you should be able to hear it click when the key is powered on. sometimes they will click , but not open fully

[adventurer 94]

No I don't have a solenoid, gas go's from tank to fuel pump, witch is new, to the carb. I have not pulled the top off the carb yet because I don't have a new gasket for it, but that is the only thing I have not done yet. Yesterday I checked the wires on the front of the Engine and tried a start it again, it only firers for a second or two if I use starting fluid, then it will run for up to 5 seconds then it dies.