Tiller stops every two minutes

[RSKY]

I have a Troy Bilt tiller that has never given me a problem that I didn't cause with neglect or stupidity. BUT now it is doing something weird. The Briggs and Stratton engine cranks, and I till for about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes and the engine sputters and dies. I let it sit for about a minute, put the choke on a little more than half and it cranks first pull and runs for another minute and a half to two minutes.

Any ideas?

RSKY

 

[oldnslo]

Does this model have a carb mounted below the tank or on top of the tank?
If carb below tank I would suspect a fuel flow issue between fuel tank and carb.

If tank mounted not sure but possible rubber diaphragm fuel pump is stretched or has pinhole causing it to pump for a little then quit.

 

[RSKY]

Carb is below tank. I figure it is fuel starvation but can't see how.

 

[DK35vince]

Still sounds like fuel starvation. Its running out what's in the float bowl then quits.
Pull off the fuel line between the fuel tank and carburetor and see if you have a good steady fuel flow. (is the fuel tank plugged ? Plugged filter ? Fuel tank vent tube ? Float or needle valve sticking ?)

 

[tomplum]

There are decades of Briggs and Troy tillers. A model and type number from the engine would be helpful. The fuel cap or carb bowl not venting would be a good guess. Or a float valve that can't fill fast enough due to a swollen seat.

 

[i7win7]

Had similar problem with plate compactor, check vent hole in fuel cap.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

These carbs need cleaning every year with the **** ethanol additives. Guarantee that the ethanol is gumming up the needle passage. I bet it's got a carb where the needle is attached to the float and it's gummed up. I have to clean or rebuild nearly every small engine carb I have every year. It really doesn't matter if you use fuel stabilizer or not. Running empty before storage is your best bet.

 

[Mendonsy]

Does your model vent through the gas cap?? Try leaving the cap loose to see if that makes any difference. Dirt buildup or even spider webs in a gas cap vent can cause that problem.

 

[RSKY]

It isn't the fuel cap, that was my first guess and I ran it with cap off and still had the same problem. I am not for sure if the gas left in it over the winter was ethanol free or not. I usually burn only the ethanol free in my small engines but may have run short last year and used regular instead of driving 25-miles to get the alcohol free. Gonna run tank dry and fill with pure gas with some Gumout or something in it and try that first. Keep the ideas coming.

RSKY

 

[Egon]

If it has a fuel filter or screen in the bottom of the tank check those.