1641 won't Start

[rk20033]

I parked the tractor the beginning of the summer and it ran, fast forward 8 months I can't get it to start.
It will fire on starting fluid but that is it (so I don't think it is electrical). I drained the gas out of the tank and the carb float bowls and put new gas in. Same results, The fuel pump is working because the fuel filter filled with fuel.

Any ideas?


Thanks,

 

[OldMachinist]

Was there junk in the fuel bowl when you cleaned it? If so the main jet is clogged up with the same stuff. Happens to me all the time if I don't drain the fuel and bowl before I store a small engine because the fuel these days goes bad so quick.

 

[OhioGuy]

I believe that tractor has the Briggs Vanguard engine. Those engines were supposed to have the valves adjusted every 100 hours, which nobody did. The valves can get sloppy enough to throw the timing off.

I'd download the service manual and check the valve adjustment.

Good Luck,
Curt

 

[rk20033]

Yeah there was junk in the fuel bowl. Should I pull the carb to clean it or can I spray it out still on the engine?

I have never adjusted the valves, 623 hours. I bought this tractor new so the valves need to be adjusted. I guess this will have to wait till I get it running. Or is there a static type adjustment I can do?

Thanks,

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

Valves are usually adjusted with the engine shut off. You have to crank the engine to the point where the cylinder is on the compression stroke and both valves are fully closed. Too little clearance will cause burned valves and too much clearance (usually the case on an engine with many hours) can cause excessive noise and a slight reduction in power.

Bob B.

 

[OldMachinist]

All you need to do to clean the main jet is unscrew it from the carb and clean it out. Spray carb cleaner thru it and maybe push a very fine wire like the wire in a twist tie thru the ports to help clean it out. Don't use drill bits or anything hard because the jet is soft and you will damage it. Your manual should show a breakdown of the carb to identify the jet so you know where to look.

 

[rk20033]

I will pull the top of the carb off and clean it out. I will see what happens then, hopefully it will fire right up.

After I get it running I will try and set the valve clearance.

 

[OldMachinist]

Here's a breakdown of your carb. The main jet is item #10.

 

[rk20033]

Thanks for everyone's help. I pulled the top of the carb off sprayed all the passagge ways with carb cleaner and it started right up.

 

[OldMachinist]

Gasoline these days seems to have a very short shelf life and if you use a ethanol blend its even shorter. Ethanol aborbs water and when stored in a vented fuel tank like a lawn mower it will absorb enough water to start separating in less than 3 months. I have over 20 small gasoline powered machines and I try to run all the fuel out the carb and drain the tank when ever I plan on not using them for a while. But I run into this problem several times a year on equipment that I don't run dry because I think I'll use it again soon. Products like Sta-Bil do help but again you have to remember to use them.