I got a free `97 Murray riding lawn mower (42" cut) with a Tecumseh 15.5 engine. All I know is it was given away (to me) becuase it had been sitting for a while. The previous owners wife (she gave it to me, tired of it just sitting!!) told me the drive belt was toast, and thats why it was parked. I've replaced the drive belt, it was toast ! Other than that it's in real nice shape so I figured I'd throw a few bones at it. Here's the trouble I'm having. It doesn't seem to pull any fuel through the carb. I pulled it apart and cleaned it 3 times with no luck. So I ordered a direct replacement unit. Put it on today and I've got the same problem (guess it wasn't the carb...darn it!). It will run fine if I take an eye dropper and feed it fuel with the air cleaner off. But w/o giving it direct fuel, NOTHING ! I'm stumped here. I've been working a vehicles for 25+ years. This one's got me. You need spark, fuel, and compression to make something run. I've got spark, haven't done a comp test yet (don't know what it should be?), but it runs smooth as glass when I'm using the dropper.

ANY idea's ? Thanks for the help !

Chris

thebriggsdude

Compression atleast 80, but that sounds good, it starts with a little gas down the carb, though since it was sitting a while, did you clean the tank? some have a tiny mesh screen at the outlet that gets clogged, and if it has a in-line filter, that gets clogged from gummy gas, and the fuel lines themselves can get clogged, for the fuel lines, don't mess..... get new. Your most likely not getting the fuel to the carb. Be sure to change the oil! to get that old acid/contaminant ridden oil out!

1968Droptop

I forgot to mention there is gas coming out of the carb at the drain screw. I did not clean the filter(s), but gas runs freely out of the line. I do plan on cleaning them, just wanted to get it to fire. The gas is new, I drained the old stuff out (wasn't really much in there). If I put my hand over the carb intake I can feel and hear it sucking air in. I'm really stumped here. If it had bad compression, it won't run with the eye dropper. If it had no spark, it wouldn't run at all. If I uncrew the carb drain, fuel pours out. Should I maybe let a cup or so of fuel pour out the drain hole ? BTW this was the case with BOTH carbs. When I pulled the old one off, it was FULL of fuel. I've got to be missing something, but what ??? Thanks for the help !!!

Chris

P.S. I've got a new oil and filter in hand. Was going to warm it up a bit and dump it. Currently 25* in outter Seattle area.

thebriggsdude

Does the new carb have adjustment screws? One for the high speed on the bowl nut? Try setting them at 1.5 turns out from snug.

1968Droptop

Nope, the only screw on it is at the top, torx head. I'm guessing it's idle speed. Other than that no adjustments at all. Frustrating to say the least. Thanks for trying to help me figure this one out.

Chris

P.S. Would pictures help ?

thebriggsdude

Pics may help, even though this also seems unlikely, trash could have gotten into the new carb. These new epa carbs are a pain......

ste6967

two things take off gas cap,give it a blo-job. gas cap port clog with bugs? or rubber o-ring [seat] neddle- seat dorps down with vibration . should have a main jet on bottem