briggs vangaurd looses power

[jmor1000]

I have an argo 6x6 with a briggs vangaurd and it looses major power when it gets hot. I was having carb trouble but we cleaned that out and put a new fuel filter and a new fuel pump because it seemed to run out of fuel because when this started to loose power we pulled the choke and it ran enough to get home. this just started a few days ago before hand it was running good. where should I start looking for the problem? any help would be great!!

[coosaridgerider]

I would run a compression check first.

[eightwheeler]

how many hours on the Vanguard? first thing i would do is a compression check, only takes about 10 mins to do and can tell you alot about your engine, these engines are bad for burning up the oil rings when ran really hot

[eightwheeler]

Hey.....good timing coosa

[jmor1000]

guys i checked the comp.

its 149 and about 130 and motor is low hrs like less than 30. it was sunk in a lake a few weeks ago. and the plugs look good it seems to do this when bounce alot but I couldnt find any loose wires any where. now what?

[eightwheeler]

Hmmm..........well what are your personal thoughts? do you think it is missfiring in one cylinder when you loose power?

[coosaridgerider]

If you had to pull the choke to make it run,Then there is still water in the fuel system some where.Did you drain the tank and fuel lines.

[jmor1000]

briggs vangaurd no power

I did drain the fuel and yes if you pull the choke it runs enough to get home but I drained the tank twice cleaned the carb 4 or 5 times and changed and added another in line filter. it seems like its running out of fuel and when this happens the fuel filters look like they only have a very small amount in them. this only seems to happen when it gets warm or ran for a whille. I ran it last night for about 45 mins with the family and it was a slow flat cruiz and then we hit some bumps in a feild and we were moving faster it shut down. I also had the carb apart and adjusted the floats. I also put a new gasket where the air cleaner attaches to the carb. the carb bowls are clean. this thing was brand new that sat in a whare house since 1996 or 97 and I found it a month ago and sunk it the same day.LOL when we got it out of the water I drained all fluids flushed motor and trans with Kero and replaced oils gas and plugs and cleaned everything. it ran good until last sat. night. any ideas!!?!?!?!?

[spits]

after sitting for that period of time I would put a rebuild kit in the fuel pump. If it ever ran when new and then sat, there is a chance that the pump diaphrams may not be functioning properly. The fuel that was in the pump will deteriorate the diaphrams if not used regularly.

[jmor1000]

i just replaced the fuel because I thought that was the problem and it still not working

[liflod]

Most of the time, you will not have a full fuel filter, so that's not a good indicator. You may want to add a picec of clear fuel line between the pump and the carb to see if you are really getting fuel to the carb. My Max IV had the same issues and it turned out to be some loose varnish in the bowl of the carb.

[jmor1000]

fuel line

I talked to a guy at an argo dealer and he suggested that I replace all the fuel line and the vacum line because of sitting the fuel line may pinch shut due to it being old and weak. I did have some black dirt in the bowl a few times when I cleaned it, so this kinda makes sence to me. If that doesnt work I am going to try an electric fuel pump with a remote fuel system to by pass the stock one to see if this works. this sucks on the long week end and my ride is broke........ just my freakin luck! any way and thoughts or ideas would be great.. thanks

[brushcutter]

Was your engine hot when you checked the compression? Carb trouble is usually the same, whether hot or cold. This sounds like a head gasket problem to me.

[jmor1000]

no engine was just warm not hot, I thought the same about the head gasket to but if I pull the choke it will stay running, if I stop and sit for a min and start again some times it works some times it doesnt. also some times it works until I hit some big bumps and then it does it to.

[brushcutter]

OK. Does your carb have the electric fuel shut-off? I built a towed bushhog that I put a 14hp briggs on. It has the electric shut-off and the thing HATES bumps, I think it can be removed and the hole plugged, but you would want to install a shut-off valve. What about the coil? Sometimes they will do this kinda stuff and they HATE getting wet. Also, you said you adjusted the float, why?