If you think about the design, once the fuel level evaporates just a little bit in the carb- the float lowers opening the inlet. These little disc pumps don't have much in them for a check valve, so it is kind of like letting the finger off the top of a straw and the soda runs back. So when cranking for the first time, the pump fills the line, then finally the bowl and it starts. Usually I see these take an extended crank after a few weeks though. Everything listed up above comes into play. Some will say an line fuel valve helped them, others need to dig deeper. The old gal has a few years on her.
@#$%&* B&S. Hard Starting....
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2manyrocks
Super Member
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Doesn't take much sitting with fuel in the carb to cause the needle valve to stick especially if it is ethanol gas.
I installed a shut off valve in my fuel line and intentionally run the carb dry when I know the engine won't be started for a week or more.
I installed a shut off valve in my fuel line and intentionally run the carb dry when I know the engine won't be started for a week or more.
To try and run them dry for intermittent storage, the lower seal would be sitting in fuel either way. The mains may not be though? BTW this lower seal and the moth seal above the fuel pipe can both be contributing factors to the extended cranking cold.
workinonit
Elite Member
An anomaly. Like I said. Stick to Kawasaki....or Honda. It's not that hard.
gstrom99
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Keep a can of starting spray nearby. A shot or two, and it should be good.
Wolfy
Veteran Member
Kawasakis use plastic gears and more gasoline than my wifes Corolla. Id pass.
Wolfy
Veteran Member
That said the Intek is the worst engine Briggs and Stratton ever made. Maybe only beat by a Kohler Courage.
jaxs
Elite Member
I had a similar experience and after looking at everything I thought could be wrong it wasn't any better. I drilled a hole in filter cover so gas can be squirted in carb for cold starts and it has started fine since. In the interest of cost I use a zoom-spout bottle with gas rather than starting fluid. Apparently vacuum is too weak to pull gas while using starter to let it fire a couple times and pull stronger vacuum.
OP
WranglerX
Elite Member
Sort of what I'm doing now, yes drilled hole and use carb cleaner with the wand.... Carb cleaner is less volatile than ether...
jaxs
Elite Member
Does it bust right off with carb cleaner or is it still stubborn?