Why won't my 15.5 hp briggs and stratton lawn tractor start?

Question

It will start if I pour some gas down the carb, but then just stops running. Last year we could pour a bit of gas down the carb and it would stay running. Not this year. Curious as to why the choke isn't enough to start it? The fuel filter is fine. Btw, what is that electrical item below the fuel bowl? Thanks, Vince.

Answer 1

The guy at the repair shop said place a 9 volt battery to the two fuel solenoid wires (black to neg and grey to pos.) and see if the solenoid works. I did that and it fired right up. Since power didn't seem to get to the solenoid via the mowers wiring system, I took the solenoid off and jammed the needle down holding it with a sliver of rubber fuel line, so now it stays open and mower runs fine. Not a proper fix, but at least I can cut the grass again. Thanks for your answers.

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Answer 2

It takes fuel, compression, spark and timing to run. You have it down to a lack of fuel problem. I would start with the fuel flow to the carburetor by removing the fuel line and then removing the carburetor and replacing it and the gaskets to the intake manifold. The electrical item could be a fuel flow solenoid or fuel pump or the shutdown circuit.

The choke works by changing the manifold pressure so that fuel will flow through the carburetor and into the intake manifold. To do this the carburetor jets must be clean and the intake manifold gasket must be tight. Another fuel problem is the air vent in the gas tank is plugged and this must also be cleaned.

You should get a B&S Service and Maintenance manual for the engine.

Answer 3

I can keep it running for 10 seconds or more by just metering gas into the carb, but it won't run on it's own. The carb bowl looks clean, and fuel runs freely through the float shutoff system. Could it be a blown head gasket? How would you tell?

Answer 4

Briggs And Stratton Carburetor Solenoid

Answer 5

jim is right. pull the carb off and clean and whilst at it, check all your fuel lines. the prob. is in the carb tho, very common. good luck!

Answer 6

clean the air filter