John Deere 827e Snowblower Surging, Backfiring

[snpower]

Here in Virginia this machine has gotten very little use since new. I have tried to keep gas out of it in the off season.

It runs OK in choke, surges and backfires when put in the run position. I removed the carb, sprayed carb cleaner in every orifice I could find and also submerged it in an ultrasonic cleaner for 30 mins. It looks new, at least

Still backfiring and tries to die when put in the run position but seems to run smoothly in choke. The spark plug is several years old - as I type this I realize I have not checked that yet.

Any engine adjustments or other recommendations? I do not have a manual for the engine - it is a B&S Snowblower Series 15C114-0150-F8 I do believe.

 

[sd455dan]

Here in Virginia this machine has gotten very little use since new. I have tried to keep gas out of it in the off season.

It runs OK in choke, surges and backfires when put in the run position. I removed the carb, sprayed carb cleaner in every orifice I could find and also submerged it in an ultrasonic cleaner for 30 mins. It looks new, at least

Still backfiring and tries to die when put in the run position but seems to run smoothly in choke. The spark plug is several years old - as I type this I realize I have not checked that yet.

Any engine adjustments or other recommendations? I do not have a manual for the engine - it is a B&S Snowblower Series 15C114-0150-F8 I do believe.

Very likely the pilot jet is plugged. Different carbs take different procedures to remove and clean them.

Some are fixed orifice jets while older carbs sometimes have needle valves that allow adjustment.

Plugged pilot jets will do exactly what you describe. They won't idle and cause an ultra lean mix at idle to over 1/4 throttle causing backfiring missing and bucking. You could also have a partially clogged main jet, but the pilot jets machined hole is very small od, sometimes around .010" which doesn't take much to restrict or stop flow.

Worst case you can pick up an ebay sub $30 complete carb with spark plug etc. Replaced the one on my kohler and it works fine. Probably work for a Briggs as well.
Dosing the fuel with seafoam might do the trick as well.

Hope this helps.

 

[snpower]

Thanks for the input. I didn't see how to remove components/jets like I can with my mower carbs. I did put some Seafoam in the gas; if I have to spend much more time on it I think I will just look for a replacement as you suggest.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

It sounds like it's definitely a plugged jet. My experience has been it's almost always fixed by removing the bowl and pulling the main jet. It doesn't take much of a restriction to make it to lean. I am attaching the link with the parts breakdown. Page 12 has the carb on it. #117E is the main jet. Torch cleaning tips work great if you have them. Otherwise hopefully you have small drill bits. On this carburetor the main jet also holds the bowl on. So when you unscrew it you won't need to go further and often the bowl will stick to the carb body. Don't loose the sealing washer. Turn the gas off but verify that it flows freely before you put the main jet back in.

https://www.thepowerportal.com/ipls/ipl.htm?md=15C1140150F8~_IPLURL_LO.pdf

 

[snpower]

It sounds like it's definitely a plugged jet. My experience has been it's almost always fixed by removing the bowl and pulling the main jet. It doesn't take much of a restriction to make it to lean. I am attaching the link with the parts breakdown. Page 12 has the carb on it. #117E is the main jet. Torch cleaning tips work great if you have them. Otherwise hopefully you have small drill bits. On this carburetor the main jet also holds the bowl on. So when you unscrew it you won't need to go further and often the bowl will stick to the carb body. Don't loose the sealing washer. Turn the gas off but verify that it flows freely before you put the main jet back in.

https://www.thepowerportal.com/ipls/ipl.htm?md=15C1140150F8~_IPLURL_LO.pdf

Thanks for the assist!!

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

Hope that got you going. I know you are getting significant snow out that way in some areas so a working snowblower could be very nice to have indeed.

 

[snpower]

Hope that got you going. I know you are getting significant snow out that way in some areas so a working snowblower could be very nice to have indeed.

It did!

As much mechanical work as I do, I’ve never done much at all with carbs. The main jet was the only part I hadn’t cleaned. The machine is running well now.