Briggs backfiring

[swamp donkey]

I have 20 hrs on my 16 hp Briggs in my max2 any sometimes when turn the engine off it won't to backfire. Had the same motor in my 1999 Argo and never had this problem any ideas

[TalSet]

is your idle set too high?

[swamp donkey]

Actually it's very low. If it stays idling for a period of time it will go dead by it's self. But I like it like that because it makes it easier on the transmission when shifting from forward to reverse.

[Mike]

It's fairly common. If it is running fine then don't worry about it. If you want to avoid the backfire, let it idle for a couple of seconds and when when you turn the ignition off, immediately give the engine full throttle. If that doesn't work pump the throttle while shutting it off.

[jpswift1]

Mike is absolutely right. The Briggs I have do the same thing. It's nothing to worry about, just the nature of the beast. The later model Briggs have a solenoid in the carburetor to prevent/reduce the backfiring.

[swamp donkey]

I can remember the old 18 hp Briggs in my grandpas hustler sounded like a cannon but I thought they had fixed it. Don't ever remember the 99 Argo ever doing it but the max is doing it some not nothing like the old hustler though.

[cclingma]

Mine does it too. I guess some call it afterfire and say its from fuel being pulled into the hot exhaust after spark/coil has been grounded. Aggravates the tar out a me but I've had some luck with the methods others have mentioned here.

[2004javablack]

Your carb. is set to rich try leaning it out, and I bet your idle will come up alittle.

[robb]

Hey guys,can someone help me out with this ?..my 16 h vanguard is having carb problems,had it cleaned and replaced gasket,new fuel filter,plugs hole tune up..was running great but sometimes will only run with choke on when driving it..when chokes off,,it starves for gas..and bogs when u rev it..thanks..

[jpswift1]

Check to see if there are any small cracks in the fuel line or anywhere else that air may be leaking in......this would cause it to run too lean and need to have the choke on to run properly. It happened on my friend's Max IV with an 18HP Vanguard and we fixed the fuel line and it was as good as new.

[2004javablack]

I had that problem on my 2010 max II with a 16 hp briggs andwhat I had to take the top of the crb. off and remove the nozzle which is number 142 on the carb. breakdown. It is the brass round piece that you see when you take off the top of the carb.

[Bazooo guy]

Do you mean take the main jet out and clean it?

[2004javablack]

Yes, just unscrew it and there will probably be junk around it and inside it to.

[Sol]

I love this place. I can always find answers like this. Thanks to Mike for running this. Thanks to everyone for the contributions. I need to go renew my subscription right now.

[Countyboy]

My 16hp Briggs did the same thing. Backfire and having to run choke even having to operate the choke on off to keep it going. Also would not idle. Sprayed carb cleaner through it and it did not help. I took the top off the carb and cleaned all the passages with carb cleaner and put it back together. Still had the same problems. I took the top off again an removed the main jet brass screw. I could see green varnish on the tip and the seat down in the hole I used q-tips soaked in carb cleaner and cleaned it out the tip needed a little wet sandpaper and I lightly scrubbed the varnish from it as well then sprayed everything with carb cleaner again. I cut myself a new gasket for the metal air cleaner to carb surface and put it back together. It ran a lot better but would not idle low enough for smooth gear shifts. So I played with the throttle and got it close but was still not happy. I remembered seeing that black adjustment knob on the side of the carb (air fuel mix) I adjusted it full counterclockwise Now the machine idles real low. It run like new. Also replaced fuel filter and the fuel lines between the filter to pump and pump to carb. They were peeing black gas out which was not helping. Also sprayed the fuel pump with carb cleaner Will probably start using some fuel stabilizer from now on.