only runs with 1/2 choke

[itteitj]

Tecumseh 5 hp model hssk50 67317m snow king. This engine only runs with choke in 1/2 position. Starts on full choke but will stall with choke fully open. It also lacks power and after running for a while will stall. The spark plug electrode is kind of white. Machine is about 10 to 12 years old. Any help will be appreciated.
Tom

[I MOW ALONE]

carb needs to be taken off and cleaned. main jet is probably plugged. good luck

[Two Seasons]

Tecumseh 5 hp model hssk50 67317m snow king. This engine only runs with choke in 1/2 position. Starts on full choke but will stall with choke fully open. It also lacks power and after running for a while will stall. The spark plug electrode is kind of white. Machine is about 10 to 12 years old. Any help will be appreciated.
Tom

Half choke is a normal setting with L-Head engines. You won't affect gph much either. Cold blooded beast of any engine. See this post
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=125312 for more detail.

[ricky86]

1/2 choke is not normal. Your reducing to amount of air which in turn reduces horsepower. If the carb is clean, there is a possibilty the inlet needle seat has swollen, That will raise the float, and engine will run extremely lean(white plug). The float height must be correct for the engine to perform. It should sound terrible with no load (popping and spitting) but smooth out under load.

[AmsoilPower]

Half choke is a normal setting with L-Head engines. You won't affect gph much either. Cold blooded beast of any engine. See this post
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=125312 for more detail.


Negative. No engine is made to run on half choke. If you are running on half choke, you are compensating for lack of fuel due to a most likely dirty or gummed up carb. You will eventually foul spark plug running on half choke for a period of time.

[Bill Kapaun]

The brass nut holding the carb bowl on should be the main jet on that.
Clean the holes in it. One hole may be clogged enough to just look like a dark spot.

Vacuum leaks in the intake system could also result in similar symptoms. IF this is an OLD engine, the throttle shaft may have worn the bushings oval, resulting in a severe air leak.

[itteitj]

Thanks for the advice. I changed the plug because it was original. Next I will drop the carb bowl and look for debris and I will clean that area and check gaskets for dammage that might cause air inleakage. I will put carb cleaner in bowl and run machine. I will also adjust the bowl needle valve. If this does not help I will pull entire carb off and soak in cleaner for a few hours and see how that works. will post results.
Tom

[44DCNF]

Don't forget to look for wear where the throttle shaft passes through the carb body, as mentioned. You might try dripping a bit of a heavy oil on there while it's running, to see if it straightens it out temporarily, as it blocks air leaking in.

[itteitj]

I changed the plug, put in some hd carb cleaner and let it sit for a couple of hours. Prior to restarting, I screwed the bowl needle valve all the way in then turned it out 1/2 turn. Started engine and let it run to warm. Warmed on full choke until it stalled. Then I adjusted bowl needle valve out 1/2 turn at a time until it ran on no choke and ran smoothly. The Throttle was at 3/4 for the adjustments. I ran engine for 15 minutes at all throttle settings and no choke. It ran well at all throttle positions. I will let it sit for 2 hours and then try it out again. I will try the oil spray on shaft next if it does not run smooth.
Tom

[44DCNF]

That may not be needed then, as it sounds like you cleaned it out with the additive. Good Work!

[Bill Kapaun]

So it has the adjustable needle-
When actually loading the engine at full throttle, you may find you need to back out the screw another 1/4 turn or so for max power.
"nominal" setting should be about 1-1/2 turns.

[ein999]

New carb or clean carb. Main jet like said before needs cleaning. Spray with carb cleaner and blow with air. Make sure you use the right size screwdriver exactly or you will strip the threads and you will not be able to take it apart and then you will be forced to buy a new carb. So make sure you use the right width and length screw driver on the jets.. when taking apart.