RED-85-Z51, a small engine question...

[lspencer534]

I have a Poulan riding mower, 42", 19.5 HP B&S engine, 3-years-old. For the last several times I've started it, it begins with a rough idle, black/dark smoke coming out of the exhaust. After several seconds it stabiizes and runs fine. Today, no such luck: It started with a rough idle and smoke, then died and wouldn't start again.

I suspect it's flooding. What do I adjust if that's the problem? Or what else might be the problem? BTW, I'm going to bed, so I won't be able to answer questions untill tomorrow morning. Thanks!

I do set the choke on when I crank it because it won't fire without that.

[Jeff '79]

Man.... What a POS!

[MrPeabody]

Help him, Red, before he winds up bleeding.

[Jeff '79]

Help him, Red, before he winds up bleeding.

He probably already is.

[NCC-1701]

Man.... What a POS!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[NCC-1701]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[RED-85-Z51]

These engiens had a bit of an air filtration issue, the first sign is a sticking choke...grit and fuel seep down between the plastic choke shaft and aluminum carb body anf after a while it binds up.

To check, pop the hood, look on the left side of the engine, under where the air filter goes...you will see a metal rod that looks like its doubled over on itself, like a LONG U shape. It will be pointing towards the rear of the tractor, kinda..behind the carb, on the throttle bracket. When you operate the throttle from idle to wide open....this rod should not move. When you go to choke, a TAB will come up and hit the end of this long U shaped rod..and push it forwards, activating the choke. If the rod is not returning...reach up under the air filter housing and feel for a little plastic lever and hinge it clockwise...crank it up..if it runs smoother, you will need to remove and repair the choke.


To repair the shaft, its pretty straight forward.

remove the 4 shroud retaining bolts that hold down the plastic shroud over the engine. 2 in the front, 2 in the rear, 3/8" usually.

Now remove the plastic shroud.

This will expose the carb on the left side. Now, remove the (2) 7/16" nuts that hold the plastic elbow to the front of the carb. and slide it off, unhooking the rubber hose on the back.

Take a pair of pliers and grasp the choke butterfly and slide it off the plastic shaft...set it aside.

Now, lift the plastic shaft up and away. Mind the little spring under the lever. Now, take some fine sand paper and polish the bottom 1/4" of the plastic shaft...now wipe it down and blow out the little holes it goes into on the carb. Put it back in, and you will see the tab that the spring rests on...engage it ,and spin the shaft 1 turn counter clockwise...stopping when the long arm side of the lever points towards the engine side of the carb body..and insert the butterfly back into the shaft..there are 2 ways it will go in...only 1 is right, mind how it came out...

When released, the choke should be open, and when manually closed, it should snap open on its own. Now, put the metal rod back into the hole, and slide that long U shaped rod back into the little slot on the throttle bracket....

Now, put the elbow on, and the shroud.

Sounds like a bitch...but in reality, only takes about 10 minutes....just pay attention to how it comes apart...its not complicated.

[Jeff '79]

Damn.... You da man! :yesnod:

[MrPeabody]

Damn.... You da man! :yesnod:

Not really, he just made all that up to mess with Spence.

[Jeff '79]

Not really, he just made all that up to mess with Spence.

Ya, it does sound like BS, don't it?:dance:

[RED-85-Z51]

Oh, and when you go to put the plastic shroud back on, the oil filler neck has to be centered in its hole...there is a flap it has ot go behind...if its not right, it will rub the flywheel and raise hell.

[MrPeabody]

Ya, it does sound like BS, don't it?:dance:

Hey, lawyers do that to us, don't they?

[RED-85-Z51]

Updates?

[Thunder22]

Updates?

Or a thank you for the help?

:seasix:

[RED-85-Z51]

Or a thank you for the help?

:seasix:

ill probably get a bill for the consult....:rofl:


:leaving:

[kingpin]

Spence probably cut himself beyond repair and can't type.

[RED-85-Z51]

Do not try to stop spinning blades with your genitals....use your fingers instead.

[lspencer534]

Updates?

Sorry. I've been in Court all morning. I've read what you wrote, and I'll give it a shot when I get home. Thank you, kind sir! I knew that if anyone could help me, it'd be you! :seasix:

[RED-85-Z51]

Sorry. I've been in Court all morning. I've read what you wrote, and I'll give it a shot when I get home. Thank you, kind sir! I knew that if anyone could help me, it'd be you! :seasix:

Did you get that restraining order filed against that angry transsexual hooker??

[lspencer534]

Did you get that restraining order filed against that angry transsexual hooker??

He changed his mind....

[kingpin]

He changed his mind....

before, after or during the act?