Tecumseh 6.5 hp runs 10 seconds, dies

[Dave M7040]

Most people who clean their own carbs are completely unaware of the emulsion tube under the main jet.

The main jet has to be unscrewed using a perfectly fitting flat screw driver tip. One that comes in a set of tips.
It needs to fit snug in the main jet slot or you will destroy the slot.

Once removed, the tiny holes in the emulsion tube need to be poked out using a tiny strand of wire
Dave M7040

 

[California]

Thinking back to what a PIA this mower has been to maintain. The main spindle up front that the cutting head turns on, seized after a couple of years and finding/installing a replacement was a nuisance. I had bought it discounted at Sears because it was sitting in a puddle of its own oil and I never did resolve that, just topped it up before use.

Considering it is a 2001 model, just pulling the carb for inspection would likely require new rubber fuel line fittings and it appears the gas tank has to come off to get in there. I estimate an hour of pro mower shop labor ($65??) or a half day myself to diagnose - get parts - reassemble - test. For a machine I never use.

I put it on Craigslist / free with an explanation it needs carb work and a neighbor nearby got it to repair and give to a friend. Finally I have its storage space back - I had been rolling it out every time I wanted to go in the basement.

The End.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Thinking back to what a PIA this mower has been to maintain. The main spindle up front that the cutting head turns on, seized after a couple of years and finding/installing a replacement was a nuisance. I had bought it discounted at Sears because it was sitting in a puddle of its own oil and I never did resolve that, just topped it up before use.

Considering it is a 2001 model, just pulling the carb for inspection would likely require new rubber fuel line fittings and it appears the gas tank has to come off to get in there. I estimate an hour of pro mower shop labor ($65??) or a half day myself to diagnose - get parts - reassemble - test. For a machine I never use.

I put it on Craigslist / free with an explanation it needs carb work and a neighbor nearby got it to repair and give to a friend. Finally I have its storage space back - I had been rolling it out every time I wanted to go in the basement.

The End.

I'm laughing so hard I can barely write. I bet that final recipient won't be a friend after that!!!!!
I did get mine running great...but I'll never use it, just put it somewhere in the way.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Tecumseh 6.5 hp runs 10 seconds, dies. it's on a Craftsman high-wheel HD string trimmer.

This ran fine when I ran it out of fuel then stored it 5 years ago. Now it fires off like new but runs 5 to 20 seconds before dying. Sounds starved for fuel. I repeated this many times.

I took off the float bowl and checked that the jet? (that holds the bowl in place) wasn't clogged. There was fuel in the bowl.

Clearing that jet, once when new, is the only repair this motor ever needed.

What do I check next? Will the float needle stuck cause what I observed?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Might be too late advice, but brother in law had a small generator that was doing the same thing. He cleaned the entire fuel system, new carb, still same thing. While rolling it around to get as some bolts I just happened to glance at the muffler and saw something white inside. It was a dirt dauber nest that had stopped up the muffler. We removed the muffler and combination of jabbing with a screw driver and washing out with a garden hose, we got all the dirt out which was a considerable amount. After putting the muffler back on, it started and ran like a champ. He now puts duct tape over the mufflers of his seldom used equipment.
A few days ago, I was using my leaf blower and smelled something like hair burning. A dirt dauber had stopped up one of the two holes in the muffler. Almost had the same thing as my brother in law.

 

[Gem99ultra]

The OP's did a little better than mine, on my wood chipper. It ran for the obligatory 10 seconds, and then blew the entire side casing out.

No more Tecumseh's for me. (Nor any 'like new' Craigslist finds.) wood chippers.)

 

[Ford850]

Might be too late advice, but brother in law had a small generator that was doing the same thing. He cleaned the entire fuel system, new carb, still same thing. While rolling it around to get as some bolts I just happened to glance at the muffler and saw something white inside. It was a dirt dauber nest that had stopped up the muffler. We removed the muffler and combination of jabbing with a screw driver and washing out with a garden hose, we got all the dirt out which was a considerable amount. After putting the muffler back on, it started and ran like a champ. He now puts duct tape over the mufflers of his seldom used equipment.
A few days ago, I was using my leaf blower and smelled something like hair burning. A dirt dauber had stopped up one of the two holes in the muffler. Almost had the same thing as my brother in law.

I've had the same issue, and was going to reply like you did. That's now my first step when dealing with a weak running engine... check the exhaust. :thumbsup:

 

[Eagleview]

You can also check the air vent hole in the fuel cap, if they block up, a vacuum forms in the tank and stops the flow of fuel .

 

[mikester]

Don't forget to check the exhaust. Sometimes the spark arrestor screens get fouled with carbon and rust

 

[GLyford]

Similar to the muffler story, I had a push mower that was just performing worse and worse every time I used it, until finally I could not get it to run at all. As I pulled it apart to work on it, the pleated air filter was completely clogged with very fine sand. Replaced the filter and it ran fine.

I have never had good luck with any tecumseh, constant fussing with barely acceptable performance. I actively avoid them (and "eager one"), I can at least work on a briggs and get somewhere.