B/S 16HP I/C Twin - fuel pump

[Jay4200]

My Snapper LT16 suddenly wouldn't start. Found no fuel flowing and thought fuel pump. Turns out in the end that I had a kinked a fuel line, but I figured that out AFTER I pulled apart the pump and lost a part.

My engine is older (mid-80's) has a pump that is partially integral to the carb. I took it apart and lost one of the 2 little coil springs for the bitty flappers on the diaphragm sheet (dropped it 3 times, found it twice - dang). I couldn't find a replacement spring anywhere, so bought an entire new fuel pump from a local JD dealer. The new pump was mostly plastic and completely self contained (unlike mine), but appeared to have a similar design (rectangular shape) and the outer cover (metal) was identical. I figured if I couldn't use the pump, I could pull the little springs out of it ($26.50 for a spring...eek).

When I got home, I found there was no way I could use the new part, so I gutted it and found that it appeared to be of identical internal design, but did not use the bitty coil springs for the flappers at all! I ended up reassembling my pump with all of the new internal parts, and simply left out the spring that I lost.

My tractor started up OK, but definitely seemed to be idling rougher than normal. I cranked up the RPMs and it seemed to run fine, although it seemed down on power (running lean due to unfilled bowl?) - might've just been the unfamiliar sound though, as I was running with my hood off. The fuel filter used to be completely filled up all the time, but now was only filling up halfway, although the level stayed consistent. I also only had about 1/8 tank of gas, so that might've had something to do with the fill level.

Anyway - I'm looking for insight on:
1) Are the little springs really unnecessary - have they been eliminated by prudent engineering, or are they a setup for a different motor design?
2) Is it possible for a weak pull to make the motor run lean? I don't really understand how these pumps work.
3) If I DO need the springs, where can I find one?

thanks - JayC

 

[chad22]

I don't know where you could get the spring individually. But here's a kit and it appears to have the spring you need.

Carb Kit for Briggs 16 to 18 hp Twins "L" Head Engines | eBay


Chad

 

[Scooby074]

yep need a kit. Those fine, fine little springs are needed. Welcome to the club of losing a cheap part and having to buy a whole kit.. BTDT

/A little dab of white grease on the "studs" that the springs go over will hold them till assembly.:thumbsup:

 

[Jay4200]

I don't know where you could get the spring individually. But here's a kit and it appears to have the spring you need.

Carb Kit for Briggs 16 to 18 hp Twins "L" Head Engines | eBay

Check THIS out:

22-8380 - B&S 393397 Fuel Pump Kit

'Course, the guys at the outdoor power shop never-ever heard of fuel pump rebuild parts. They're "special".

As luck would have it, a complete stranger on another 'friendly' tractor forum had an old pump that he wasn't using any more, and offered to mail me the springs out of it. How cool is that?

thanks all - JayC

 

[Jay4200]

A little dab of white grease on the "studs" that the springs go over will hold them till assembly.

Sure - IF you can even get the spring that close. On the final (fatal) drop, I didn't even make it to the pump, much less inside of it. Harrumph.

JayC