HUSTLER WOES...Fuel problems

[turtlecrawler]

I took it out for its first run last week....Yikes,,all kinds of little problems.. I got them all fixed but one. When it was at idle in the garage it would run fine but when i went to take it for a spin it would act like a vapor lock...The motor is a B&S 18hp.

Things I have done to try and fix it..
1) new fuel line and filter
2) 1psi. electric fuel pump
3) clean carb well
4) confirm fuel in tank......( LOL)
5) attempted to adjust carb

It now will start but will not contine to run...and the choke has too be closed ...
Any ideas or tips would be a great help..Thanks in advance

[jpswift1]

It sounds like the exact same problem I was having with my 18HP I/C opposed twin that was in my Hustler BIGFOOT before I replaced it with a Vanguard. It turned out that my problem was all of the junk that was in my carburetor. It was from some crappy sealant someone put in the tank and it kept clogging fuel filters and even getting past them. Take a really good look in your carburetor again and let it soak overnight or clean it with an ultrasonic cleaner or something along those lines. I feel like those carburetors are very sensitive to any debris that gets in them. Good luck with it.

[mudNmallards]

Just to cover all the bases in the process of elimination....

Have you ruled out the engine proper and things such as burnt or not fully sealing valves and the ignition/timing system?

Have you made sure the gas was the right octane and the proper mix for the altitude you are at as well as not being some of those new funky blends (I know from our remote powered equipment that some engines simply will not run on some of the e-85 and other mixtures)

What type of carb is on it? Maybe that could shed some light

[highrollinmopars]

I had the same problem as Jpswift. The rubber gasket from under my gas cap deteriorated and fell into the fuel tank stopping up filters and getting into the carb.

[lewis]

I am thinking like Jp,... the carb. If you have to pull the Choke out to run, the carb is clogged. A lawn and garden shop will have a ultra sonic cleaner and may be able to help you with that task. My 18 HP lawn mower had the same problem. Cleaned it best i could and then took it to a lawn mower shop and the sonic cleaner did a great job. This happened when i let it sit over summer. Never had any problems before but the fuel now is so bad it will, for lack of a better word "crap out" on you.

I only use High test in the 2011 Avenger because it does not have alcohol in it. This seems to cause run-ability and heat problems so no regular gas goes in the Avenger.

[turtlecrawler]

I have gone through the fuel system all the way up to the carb...(fuel line,filter,clean the tank,fuel pump,clamps).all new........I will need to get a rebuild kit before I tear into the carb any further than I already have.....What kills me it it was running fine when I bought it....It was everything else that needed the TLC..(aka rebuilt)......There are two adjustment screws on the carb...Where is a good place to start (how many turns) for basic set-up....The carb is the stock B&S on the motor......

[lewis]

You can go to: Repair Parts & Maintenance Products | Shop | Briggs & Stratton

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getModelNew!retrieveModelDetails.pd?modelNumber=422707013301013301&brandId=1245&productCategoryId=1503500&seoFormattedBrandName=BRIGGS-STRATTON-Parts&seoFormattedProductTypeName=Lawn-garden-engine-Parts&selectedDocumentId=00025252&selectedDiagramPageId=00001

This may help a bit.

[amphibious drew]

Just a thought but did youchock the petcok to make sure it was clear too. You mentioned everything else and I had a similar problem with a different engine. A previous owner changed the jets in the carb to attempt to compensate for a fuel issue and what really was going on was junk was stuck in the part between the tank drop in hose and fuel line.

[Bazooo guy]

Try setting the mixture screws 1 turn open and set the idle screw so the throttle plate just starts to open.
With the choke off spray some fuel into the carb while holding the throttle open.(so the spray gets past it)
If it doesnt fire pull the plugs and see if they are wet? Make sure you have spark at the plugs

[turtlecrawler]

Thank you all for your tips and tricks.....I tried them all last night and nothing would make it want to run....I got to the point I wanted to shoot the rig.....so I quit for the night....This morning with a better attitude I tried it again.....First try it started right up and ran with the choke closed after about 5 min in the garage I was able to open the choke all the way and do a little tuning....I have yet to take it for a spin but am now hopeful I am on the right track.....I did notice that I do get some fuel spray out of the carb when I rev it up...Is that NORMAL...when I try to lean it up it does not want to run.....I am at 5000 ft and will be taking this rig to 8000-10,000 ft when hunting...any ideas?

[racerone3]

I didn't see this mentioned in this thread, so I thought I would throw it out there. Check to make sure the gas cap vent isn't plugged. When it starts to cut out or run poorly, loosen the gas cap and see if it improves.

another thing to try, remove the entire air cleaner assembly. rev the engine to it's max governed speed, and hold it there while you cover the top of the carb with your free hand. hold your hand over the carb till the engine nearly dies, then remove and let it run till it clears out all the excess fuel that it just sucked in ( it will smoke a sputter a lot as this will make it run VERY rich) . repeat this 3-4 times. often this can suck out a piece of debris that is lodged somewhere.

you may need to get a "high altitude jet kit". go to any briggs dealer armed with the Model, Type, and Code numbers for your engine and they should be able to order it for you. the fuel spray you see is normal. here is a link to a section of a briggs manual talking about the high altitude kit http://www.briggsandstratton.com/sup...C166EDFA9.ashx

[Bazooo guy]

What were the mixture screws set at when it was running?
Did you have good response from the throttle?

[turtlecrawler]

Both the screws were about 1 1/2 - 2 turns out.......once it warmed up I had great throttle responce...

What were the mixture screws set at when it was running?
Did you have good response from the throttle?