Engine Trouble

[MHubes]

I am having trouble with a Briggs and Stratton 14 horsepower twin cylinder engine. It has run fine for 4 years, regular oil changes, air filter, spark plugs, ect, however the other day is started running at normal high rpm's then dropping to low rpm's in a regular pattern several seconds of each. There is also some stalling. Any ideas on what the problem could be? Thanks.

[Richard Martin]

Sounds like a governor problem. Look at it to see of there are any obvious problems. If you can't see anything then take it in to get it checked out or buy the service manual for the motor.

[Fish]

Post your engine's full set of model numbers for more
detailed advice, but you most likely have dirt and/or water
in the carb, and the jets may be partly clogged. Let us
know your model numbers.
Fish

[bwiesner]

Like Fish said but also check the fuel filter. Later Butch

[James234]

Sounds as if you didn't use fuel stabilizer in your tank last season.

[MHubes]

Yeah, I'm guessing the problem is something of that nature. I did buy gas from a station where I had never bought it before when all this happened, so I went at got the gas I normally get and drained the tank, put the fresh stuff in. The gas doesn't seem to be traveling past the fuel filter, it just doesn't fill up with gas, so I am assuming that the engine also has no gas. The model is 400700, Briggs and Stratton Twin Cylinder 14 HP. Thanks

[MHubes]

One other thing--I took the carb apart a little, there was condensation, or at least droplets in it that I assumed to be water, so I wiped them off.

[Fish]

On the bottom side of the carb is a 5/8 nut that
you should remove and fuel will dribble out. It may
or may not have a mixture screw in it. After removing
the nut, remove the jet inside with a 3/16 allen head
wrench and clean it out and reinstall and see what
happens.
fish

[MHubes]

I have determined that I need a new carburetor. I took it apart, and cleaned it, the top of the carb is broken, at the part where the float attaches it is broken off. A new carb is about $150, while a new 15-17 horsepower engine would be around 500-600. Any advice on which way to go. I'm not sure how old the engine is, but its a Briggs and Stratton 14 HP twin cylinder. Code number begins with 86, does that mean 1986? By the way, how nuch stronger is a twin than a single? Thanks for your responses everyone.

[Robert Doubrava]

I'm sure of the model #'s thing.

Ex.

Model 170702
Type 1517
Code 80032709

In the code, the first two #'s is the year built, second set of two is the month, then the next set of two is the day built, and the last two it the assembly line and manufacturing plant #.


(I'm good at this stuff, eh?:) )