I recently acquired an old tiller that I have gotten to run. It will only run on full choke. It will only till for about a minute or so before going dead. It will idle for a long period, but it's kind of a rough idle. Do I need to adjust the carberator? I have already changed out the gas and sprayed carb cleaner in the carb. I have let it idle for over an hour all together so it should be cleaned out fairly well. When I ease it off full choke it starts sputtering and goes dead. I put it back on full choke and one pull it fires right back up. I've let it idle for 30 minutes straight and it still has to be on choke.

Any suggestions??

Thanks,
Jim Bob

You can try opening the main jet if it is adjustable but it sounds pretty pluged. I would remove and clean completley.

Don

You can try opening the main jet if it is adjustable but it sounds pretty pluged. I would remove and clean completley.


Should I just soak it in gas for a few days? Or use carb cleaner again? Or both? I tilled with it this afternoon for about 30 minutes or so. It ran fairly well, but was still on full choke. I figured it would have to be a fuel delivery problem. I couldn't find a fuel filter on it. Do they have one?

Thanks again,
JB

I am not sure of your engine model, but most have a nylon filter in tank tha does not give much trouble. If you disassemble the carb the problem should be obvious. Buy some spray carb cleaner and clean all orifices.

Don

Thanks for the help. I'll try that.

JB

I have toyed with briggs & stratton small motors most of my life. Now, with the bragging out of the way, I believe the trouble is the circular screen at the bottom of the suction tube that runs down into the fuel tank. It is probably clogged to the point where it will let a little fuel be sucked up (enough to let the motor idle) and not enough to allow the motor to retrieve the fuel it needs to operate at a higher speed. I hope this helps and let me know either way. I know how frustrating it can be to not get your engines to run properly. If this does not help then we'll work on another possible solution. Good luck, Paul T. One more thing, also clean out the tube with a small piece of wire then with carburetor cleaner.

Thanks boxblade22. I have since cleaned out the fuel tank carb and every other orifice on the thing and have run it for a long period. It runs fairly well now. I think it had just been sitting up for a long period.

JB

Did you remove the diaphram cover and clean the holes there also? And while you are there check to see if the diaphram is hardened

I had the same problem with mine, took it all apart and the screen was clogged in the tank. I cleaned screen,put in a new diaphram, now I can't remember how all the linkages go back. Mine has the adj. throttle, my neighbors does not. Any where I can find a good picture on how it goes? I might still have the manual, if I can find it, thanks

I just found my manual, it has the parts catalog, maybe I can get it back together, but if anyone knows a better picture, please let me know. I never was impressed with this engine to start with Thanks, Doug

Can not get belt guard back on for cratsman tiller 917.298351. There is a bolt with a hook on that goes inside that I can not see where it hooks or what it does. The top and back bolts are no problem .
Thanks

The metal gas tank is probably rusting on inside. I had this problem. Replace tank.