F I N A L L Y

[LBrown59]

After Battling it for the last 10 years since I bought it I got the B&S motor on my MTD PowerCraft to run right after taking it to 2 different Repair shops 8 to 12 times during the 10 years and them never getting it fixed.

I fixed it my self.
Ran a new fuel line from the gas tank clear to the carburetor and installed a new different fuel filter in the new fuel line.
After the installation it started right up and ran smooth as a top.
Hasn't done any loping missing sputtering or galloping since putting on the new gas line and fuel filter.
It's been going strong now for the last couple of weeks.
Thought sure the looping would still be there when I first started it up with the new line and filter, but to my pleasant surprise it was gone.
I figured for sure I'd have to have the Carburetor cleaned and install a new air filter after I got the fuel line and fuel filter on but I didn't have to touch either one of them.

No wonder the shops and mechanics never did get it fixed by just cleaning and adjusting the Carburetor.
They wouldn't anymore than get the carb cleaned and set and the dirty gummy fuel hose would gum it back up.
They were only treating the symptoms -I cured the problem.

You'd have thought that the lame brained mechanics and shops would have gotten suspicious by the fourth or fifth time they saw that what they were doing wasn't working.

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> (They wouldn't anymore than get the carb cleaned and set and the dirty gummy fuel hose would gum it back up.) </font>

That's one way to get repeat business. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> (They wouldn't anymore than get the carb cleaned and set and the dirty gummy fuel hose would gum it back up.) </font>

That's one way to get repeat business. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )</font>


That is one reason why I use "premium" fuel in my gas powered lawn equipment. I found the premium grade fuels, while costing more, tend to dramatically reduce maintainence time & costs in the long run. I use about 5 gallons of gas each week in the summer between the lawn tractor, trimmer, chipper, chain saw, etc. Typically a 5 gallon can will last me an entire winter. So I figure I probalby use 5 gallons, multiplied by about 30 weeks for 150 total gallons a year at the very most. 150 gallons multiplied by about 15-cents per gallon extra to upgrade to 'premium' = $22.50 extra per year. Spark plugs last at least 4 years, and I've never had to clean a carb or have one adjusted since switching to premium gas. All of that easily saves me the $22.50 per year that I spend on the fuel upgrade when you consider 1 trip to the repair shop usually runs about $75.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( <font color="blue"> (They wouldn't anymore than get the carb cleaned and set and the dirty gummy fuel hose would gum it back up.) </font>

That's one way to get repeat business. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )</font>


That is one reason why I use "premium" fuel in my gas powered lawn equipment. I found the premium grade fuels, while costing more, tend to dramatically reduce maintainence time & costs in the long run. I use about 5 gallons of gas each week in the summer between the lawn tractor, trimmer, chipper, chain saw, etc. Typically a 5 gallon can will last me an entire winter. So I figure I probalby use 5 gallons, multiplied by about 30 weeks for 150 total gallons a year at the very most. 150 gallons multiplied by about 15-cents per gallon extra to upgrade to 'premium' = $22.50 extra per year. Spark plugs last at least 4 years, and I've never had to clean a carb or have one adjusted since switching to premium gas. All of that easily saves me the $22.50 per year that I spend on the fuel upgrade when you consider 1 trip to the repair shop usually runs about $75.

)</font>
'' <font color="black"> Bob you may very well have some valid points about the premium gas.
However I use the same Reg. gas in 2 Bolens tractors
2 different push mowers.
A chain saw and a string trimmer but the B&S motor on the MTD is the only one of them that gave me the problem I described.
Nevertheless I think I will try the premium gas in every thing and give it a test run for a while.
Thanks for your input.
LB59
</font> '''''''''''''''''''''

 

[slowrev]

I use premium gas and stabil in all my small engines. No problems.
Ben

 

[Panache]

In my Stihl manual it recomends premium. Someone told me it will run cooler than the current mess of regular.

 

[fishman]

Me too. Premium and the maintenance dose of Stabil (one ounce in every five gallon can). No carb (or other) issues in the past six years since I instituted this rule. Well, except for my Generac generator, that MUST have the fuel line shut off after every use or it won't start. But that is an endemic equipment problem not fuel related.

 

[LBrown59]

I'm wondering if it might have been a chemical defect in the old fuel line.
Appears as though the gas was dissolving the rubber and turning it into a sticky black tar like substance.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I use premium gas and stabil in all my small engines. No problems.
Ben
)</font>

============
It's running like a top on the Reg 87 grade I have in the tank.
Seems like if the gas had been the problem it would still be running poorly.
Going to try Prem.Gas anywho!

 

[JTKub]

You wont hurt a thing by running 'premium' gasoline, but there is absolutely nothing special about 'premium' aside from having a higher octane rating. That's it. It's your cash, but running higher octane than what your engine is designed to run on is a waste of money.
G/luck
Joel

 

[Mith]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( lame brained <font color="black"> (lawn mower) </font> mechanics )</font>
So thats my problem! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You clearly need to modify your choice of repair shop. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Maybe you ought get a job there and show em hows its done /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> (Appears as though the gas was dissolving the rubber and turning it into a sticky black tar like substance.) </font>

Rubber? Sounds like someone, MTD maybe, installed something other than proper fuel line. Windshield washer hose, maybe. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">
1*( lame brained <font color="black"> (lawn mower) </font> mechanics )</font>
So thats *my problem! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
2*You clearly need to modify your choice of repair shop. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Maybe you ought get a job there and show em hows its done /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )</font>
=========
1* *when did you become a mechanic.
Sorry low blow I know-Just teasin.
2* Been there done it found an independent one - been quite good so far.
3* Wouldn't work cause I've gotten fired twice for being to good.lol
It didn't work I told them Get my check I'm going home I QUIT !

 

[robison]

The two most common reasons for fuel line failure like you describe are using gas with too much alchohol or using the wrong type rubber line.

 

[mark1]

I just had one of my string trimmer fuel primer bulbs get all gummy and sticky.I have to wonder if it might be from using gas sometimes that had 10% menthol in it.Like from Sunoco? I remember seeing some engines that the carbs wouldn't handle the menthol(I know, spelling??but it's some kind of alcohol) anyone else see this happening? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[frank_f15]

I am using a 13 year old Briggs engine, and probably run 50 gal of gas thro it per year, HAVE never had a fuel problem, never had to change the filter, and have never had to even adjust the carb! MABEY i am just lucky /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The two most common reasons for fuel line failure like you describe are
1*using gas with too much alchohol
2*using the wrong type rubber line. )</font>
==============
This was an on going constant problem for 10 years.
I bought many different brands of gas at all different stations during that 10 years so I very much doubt the problem was caused by #1.
Could you elaborate more on #2 please.?The only rubber line on it was the one MTD put on it when they built it in 1995.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am using a 13 year old Briggs engine, and probably run 50 gal of gas thro it per year, HAVE never had a fuel problem, never had to change the filter, and have never had to even adjust the carb! MABEY i am just lucky /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>
============
You're not luckey you just got what you should have gotten for the money I didn't.
My brother has a Murry with a 12 HP 1 Cyl B&S older than My 18.5 HP 2 Cyl B&S.
He has never had a fuel problem with it either.

 

[robison]

Some small diameter hose designed to carry other fluids will become mushy carrying gasoline. It's possible the wrong type hose was fitted.

A more likely cause of the hose becoming gummy (in addition to alcohol) is the addition of certain carburetor cleaner type chemicals to the gas tank. Some of these will melt rubber pretty quick. You really have no way of knowing what may have been poured into the tank by well meaninc emchanics over the years.

 

[Mith]

I know it wasnt aimed at anyone, no harm done, honestly. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Independants are usually best as they have to work and please you for buisness.