Abby's Guide to Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more)
Username Password
Discussions Reviews More Guides
Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Briggs and Stratton 3.5 HP engine surges...why?

Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Search For:
kat3c


Joined: May 13, 2006
Points: 2

Briggs and Stratton 3.5 HP engine surges...why?
Original Message   May 13, 2006 8:17 pm
I recently bought a used, late model McLane reel mower.  The B&S engine sometimes surges up and down.  When it does this, I can see the arm that the idle screw is attached to moving back and forth.  The former owner said it would happen to him, but he said after letting it idle for 10 minutes or so, it would stop, and be o.k. unless he didn't use the mower for a while.  He said something about the carburater bowl needing to be primed and that would fix it?  How do I do that?  He thought maybe the gasoline in it had evaproated due to being shipped to me in an open air trailer.  Any advice/ideas would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Kurt

Replies: 1 - 2 of 2View as Outline
Majorxlr8n


Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092

Re: Briggs and Stratton 3.5 HP engine surges...why?
Reply #1   May 13, 2006 9:11 pm
Kurt - the surging (also called hunting) is caused by a lean fuel condition. If there is a mixture screw on the carb, turn it counterclockwise 1/4 to 1/2 turn & see if the hunting stops. If not, try one full turn counterclockwise. If that doesn't work, the carb needs to be removed, disassembled, cleaned out & reassembled with a rebuild kit.

Marty

kat3c


Joined: May 13, 2006
Points: 2

Re: Briggs and Stratton 3.5 HP engine surges...why?
Reply #2   May 13, 2006 10:54 pm
Thanks Marty.  Turned it about 1/4 turn and that fixed it right up.

Kurt

Replies: 1 - 2 of 2View as Outline
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Guide   •   Discussions  Reviews  
AbbysGuide.com   About Us   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us
Copyright 1998-2024 AbbysGuide.com. All rights reserved.
Site by Take 42