3165 engine quits every half hour

[gary_g5]

I have an old 3165 that has had a variety of issues over the years. The latest that just started this year is that after about 30 minutes of mowing, the engine starts to falter a few times and then shuts off. I can usually restart it a few times and drive for 30 seconds and then it shuts off again. After a few more tries, the engine will crank but won't start. I noticed that the in-line fuel filter is empty during all these episodes, and the engine sounds like it's just running out of gas. If I let the tractor sit for an hour or two, it will start up fine and run for another half hour before repeating the same thing.

What could cause this problem to occur after 20 or 30 minutes of mowing that is cured by letting it sit? Is it the fuel pump or is something overheating? I had an issue last year where a huge oil leak occurred while mowing but I didn't notice and overheated the engine. I replaced the drive shaft oil seal and haven't had a leak since. That was at the end of last season, so the engine is getting its first workouts since then, so is it possible that something more serious is wrong with the engine? It's a B&S V-twin.

 

[Egon]

noticed that the in-line fuel filter is empty during all these episodes, and the engine sounds like it's just running out of gas

Maybe that is what it is doing.

Check the fuel supply system, change all the filters and clean any screens including one in the fuel tank if it has one there.

 

[rcbe]

I have an old 3165 that has had a variety of issues over the years. The latest that just started this year is that after about 30 minutes of mowing, the engine starts to falter a few times and then shuts off. I can usually restart it a few times and drive for 30 seconds and then it shuts off again. After a few more tries, the engine will crank but won't start. I noticed that the in-line fuel filter is empty during all these episodes, and the engine sounds like it's just running out of gas. If I let the tractor sit for an hour or two, it will start up fine and run for another half hour before repeating the same thing.

What could cause this problem to occur after 20 or 30 minutes of mowing that is cured by letting it sit? Is it the fuel pump or is something overheating? I had an issue last year where a huge oil leak occurred while mowing but I didn't notice and overheated the engine. I replaced the drive shaft oil seal and haven't had a leak since. That was at the end of last season, so the engine is getting its first workouts since then, so is it possible that something more serious is wrong with the engine? It's a B&S V-twin.

Also check to see that fuel tank cap vent is not stopped up - run the engine for a time with the cap on loose. Be careful of slopped fuel.

If it's blocked up, the running engine will draw enuff fuel in 20-30 minnits out of the tank to to create a vacuum... and then starve/stall. A stiff small wire run thru will unclog the cap vent...

 

[savageactor7]

I suppose if all else fails disconnect the fuel hose from tank to carb and blow out with compressed air. Our 1440 did the same thing and a wad of grass in the hose was the culprit.

 

[VinceSMTA]

RCBE and Savage have good ideas on where to start, I'll add one other possibility...cracked fuel hose. I'd try the other ideas first as you'll need to remove the fenders to check out the fuel line. If it is weather checked and cracked it could be drawing too much air. Just a thought

 

[gary_g5]

Thanks for all the ideas. I don't think it's cause by a clogged fuel cap vent because the rim of my tank is a little warped, so the cap doesn't make full contact with the rim anyway, which allows a little gas to slosh out when I drive over bumpy terrain with a full tank. So there's plenty of air getting into the tank. I replaced all the fuel hoses a few months ago when i was doing some other engine work. Perhaps some junk got in the lines when I was putting them on, so I just blew them all out with air. It's also a brand new fuel filter.

I found some older posts in this forum that mentioned issues similar to mine that were solved with adjusting the air/fuel mixture screw or replacing float needle valve. I don't know much about those things, so I might have to let an engine shop do that.

 

[Egon]

Opps, for some reason I was thinking diesel!:ashamed:

You might want to try adjusting the carburetor needle jets but remember where you started from.