16 hp tecumseh engine loosing power

[guyfox]

Having trouble with my 16 hp tecumseh engine....It idles fine and I can give it full throttle with no problems in neutral....When I put it in a forward gear and start to run there is no problem...I can run about half throttle all day...The problem is when I open up all the way the engine will suffocate for fuel and shut off....There is no problem starting again and running at half.

I have drained all the old fuel and put in new.....changed all the fuel lines...cleaned the carb (may not be set up right...this is what I am thinking )....any help would be great....Thanks

[jpswift1]

How does the diaphram in your fuel pump look? I'm guessing it could be worn out. Did you put in a new fuel filter as well? Will it run well under load at full throttle when you put the choke on?

[guyfox]

Diaphram looked fine....Did not change fuel filter...and have not tried running with choke open.....

[jpswift1]

OK, try both of those and let us know what happens and we'll take it from there.

[LarryW]

I was having issues with my oh180 and finally ended up with it was the air cleaner so check that out too. Possibly the float is not adjusted right?

[Bazooo guy]

Is there a high speed needle adjustment you can open more?
It needs to be set under load so open it 1/4 turn and drive it and see how it reacts.
The choke closes when you pull it on and normally should be open.

[guyfox]

Is there a high speed needle adjustment you can open more?
It needs to be set under load so open it 1/4 turn and drive it and see how it reacts.
The choke closes when you pull it on and normally should be open.

Bazoo,

Just took the manual and it shows a high speed needle adjustment for the type of carb (walbro carb) that is on the machine. Went and took the carb off but there is no high speed needle adjustmednt on the carb. Do this make a difference. Can run at half speed no problem. When I open full throttle it will run for a few seconds and thedn shut off.

[amphibious drew]

There are several model carbs for the oh160. You must have the fixed high speed set up which came on my shred when I got it. I had some of the problems that you described and was able to solve it in a most effective way. I simply bought a vanguard18 and parted out my techemseh to pay for it. Tractor guys pay big big bucks for their parts like $225 for a coil. I got the Briggs for $630 new shipped to my door. Best fix ever.

[jpswift1]

Some of the carbs on the Tecumsehs had Walboros with and without high speed adjustments. Talk to Amphibious Drew about this. He had a Tecumseh OH160 in his Attex Tomahawk before he swapped it out for a Briggs Vanguard and he knew quite about tinkering with it.

:EDIT: Drew just beat me to it. haha.

[Hogneck]

Where did you find a new Briggs 18hp for such a good price?

There are several model carbs for the oh160. You must have the fixed high speed set up which came on my shred when I got it. I had some of the problems that you described and was able to solve it in a most effective way. I simply bought a vanguard18 and parted out my techemseh to pay for it. Tractor guys pay big big bucks for their parts like $225 for a coil. I got the Briggs for $630 new shipped to my door. Best fix ever.

[jpswift1]

Where did you find a new Briggs 18hp for such a good price?

Just keep an eye out online such as surplus places, Craigslist and Ebay. For example, I know that Princess Auto for you guys up in Canada has some crazy good deals on engines at times.

[amphibious drew]

Freq42 is much more knowledgeable than I am about these engines. He had the 180 and did the Briggs upgrade too. the oh series is great if you sit still but is not designed well for being in a moving application.

[jpswift1]

Freq42 is much more knowledgeable than I am about these engines. He had the 180 and did the Briggs upgrade too. the oh series is great if you sit still but is not designed well for being in a moving application.

Drew is absolutely right, the stand still, or slow moving applications with the throttle in a fixed position or not as much "up and down" motion of the throttle is certainly where these Tecumsehs shine. A garden tractor, welder, generator, or other applications such as these are a better place for these, compared to use in an AATV. Many AATVs had them as OEM equipment though.......the Super Swamp Fox, early Argos, Attexes, and early Max II and Max IVs all came with the Tecumseh OH series engines.

[Bazooo guy]

Try adjusting the low speed needle and see if it makes a difference.
Close it 1/4 turn...if it trys to stall open it 1/2 turn.
And make sure the air filter is clean.

[Joe H]

If your fuel pump is ok, and fuel filter is good then it is either a plugged high speed jet or a bad crank seal not allowing enough pulse to operate the fuel pump properly.