Fuel problem on hilly operation

dhammel

Member
My 17N (9N/8N engine)starts on first crank - runs smooth as silk but has a quirky habit of stalling out whenever I'm operating at any slight downhill and sideways angle. The engine sputters - then recovers - then sputters - then recovers - then quits. I really can't tell if it's starved for fuel or if it's flooding. When I attempt to start it there ends up being a lot of fuel - like it's flooded but I don't know if that is because it was flooded or because I'm cranking it without starting and therefore causing excess fuel to accumulate.

The most recent time this occurred, I was in a spot where I could use neutral and roll down a slight hill to a flat area. The tractor started immediately.
 
Also check that the float tanks do not have fuel in them, causing a low float condition allowing fuel to over flow into
carb.

Also, could also have a partially collapsed float tank.
 
Thanks all for your comments. This is a new carb. so if its the float catching on the side - is that an adjustment? From the diagram in my manual, it looks like it is connected with a pin so that's not adjustable is it?

Regarding the floats filling - I'd be really surprised (not to mention angry) if a new carb had bad floats already. I always shut the fuel off when the tractor sits - so I don't think they are getting fuel into them for that reason.
 
the adjustment for the floats would be sideways and not discussed in the manual. Fuel in the floats would be because of a defective (hole in it) float tank. Fuel will get in but NOT out easily.
 
dhammel.......that "pin" is a hinge. The floats hinge on. Some floats "leak" and will hang low causing the fuel to overflow, flooding yer carbie. Iff'n you think yer floats leak, sink'em inna glass jar fulla HOT WATER, that will cause enny leaks to stream an air bleed you kenn see inna the HOT WATER. Simple, eh? .........HTH, the amazing Dell
 
(quoted from post at 13:05:15 06/09/17) the adjustment for the floats would be sideways and not discussed in the manual. Fuel in the floats would be because of a defective (hole in it) float tank. Fuel will get in but NOT out easily.
osition, both up & down and sideways is by bending the metal.
 

[b:cd4cc50a2d]"I always shut the fuel off when the tractor sits - so I don't think they are getting fuel into them for that reason."[/b:cd4cc50a2d]

the floats reside in the carb's bowl, which is normally full of fuel. shutting off the gas doesn't prevent a bad float from filling with gas. the carb bowl would need to be empty all the time to prevent it, and if it were, u couldn't use the tractor.
 
If you can figure out where the float is hanging up, carefully bend it a little so it does not hang up.
 
Good comments below but I will add that your problem is most likely due to the almost never verified float drop adjustment.

1. As others have suggested, verify that the float is in good condition, not leaking and has no fuel inside.

2. Verify proper float level setting.

3. Inspect float for evidence of interference with the tapered float bowl casting. I expect that you will find such.

4. Check the float drop adjustment. The float should not drop far enough to contact the sides of the tapered float bowl (Sorry, I cannot give you the spec from memory but I believe it is about 1/4" lower than the float level setting.). If it does, it can "wedge" temporarily preventing it from floating to close the needle valve, which, of course, causes the engine to flood. The float drop is adjusted by bending the tang on the end of the float arm farthest from the floats. The tang contacts the needle valve seat limiting downward travel of the float. Note: When bending the tang, use two suitable needle nose pliers, one to securely hold the float arm near the tang, the other to bend the tang. Simply holding the float assembly by the arm or, worse, the floats while attempting to bend the tang will disturb the float adjustment or even result in failure of the solder joint between the float arm and the floats.

Of course, the above assumes that your problem is not caused by insufficient fuel in the tank resulting in fuel starvation on slopes. Cannot determine from your description of symptoms.

Dean
 
I had a similar problem with Box elder bug wings floating in the gas tank. Sometimes they would shift and block the gas tube and sometimes they would move out of the way and everything would be fine. It drove me crazy for months! The gas pick up tube hole is tiny and anything floating in the gas could cause erratic behavior as you describe. It's a long shot but if you don't find a problem in the carb you might try it. You could rig up a lawn mower tank and take a ride on the hills and see if the problem still occurs.
 

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