Gasoline in Crankcase

[Little Red Tractor]

My buddy has an old--likely 40+ years--JD "Scotts" 17 HP, that's orange. He's having trouble with fuel in the crankcase. My best guess is that the carb is flooding and it's running into the cylinder, past the rings. Anybody got any history with this. Below are some pics of the engine:

Any help or suggestions are welcome. He generally only uses this to mow his hunting camp property.

 

[tomplum]

Unless the fuel pump diaphragm is ruptured, most likely the carb as you suspect. Briggs 594593 (suggest the OEM Ruxing) and a fresh oil change.

 

[Roadworthy]

In my limited experience either the float is sticking, has sunk, or the needle valve is not stopping fuel flow. It's also possible the needle has become detached from the float.

 

[big bubba]

In my limited experience either the float is sticking, has sunk, or the needle valve is not stopping fuel flow. It's also possible the needle has become detached from the float.

my take too

 

[AntiqueIron]

My buddy has an old--likely 40+ years--JD "Scotts" 17 HP, that's orange. He's having trouble with fuel in the crankcase. My best guess is that the carb is flooding and it's running into the cylinder, past the rings. Anybody got any history with this. Below are some pics of the engine:

Any help or suggestions are welcome. He generally only uses this to mow his hunting camp property.

Oh. One of those with the Nikki carburetor.

Probably needle and seat are sacked out.

Those carbs have a whole “fuel transfer assembly” (entire lower half of the carburetor-needle/seat, main jet, float mounts, etc) made of plastic.

You cannot clean them with solvent, heat, or an ultrasonic. Compressed air is all you can really use.

My recommendation is just a replacement carburetor.

 

[TMGT]

I'd check the fuel pump first. Pull the line going to the crankcase, if fuel is present than its the pump.
If that checks out good, then I'd pull the carb.

 

[2manyrocks]

Install a manual fuel shut off so gas can't leak through the carb into the engine when it's off. Cheap and effective.

 

[RandyT]

Oh. One of those with the Nikki carburetor.

You cannot clean them with solvent, heat, or an ultrasonic. Compressed air is all you can really use.

Why. Do it all the time. A hour in the ultrasonic at 120 degrees, and blow it down with brake cleaner afterwards. Never had a problem. And been doing it for over 20 years,

 

[TMGT]

Why. Do it all the time. A hour in the ultrasonic at 120 degrees, and blow it down with brake cleaner afterwards. Never had a problem. And been doing it for over 20 years,

Agree, the only problems I've had with them are the gasket swells and pretty much has to be replaced once its taken appart.
Also you have to be careful of the main jet, I've had them fall out while taking them appart and dissappear!

 

[RandyT]

Agree, the only problems I've had with them are the gasket swells and pretty much has to be replaced once its taken appart.
Also you have to be careful of the main jet, I've had them fall out while taking them appart and dissappear!

Agree. Everybody that takes one apart for the first time always and I mean always looses the jet.