Small Engine Carburetor Tips A Guide to Small Engine Carburetor Service and Troubleshooting 60 1 2 59 Carburetor Adjustments Small Engine Carburetor Tips Comments About the techniques: The techniques described in this booklet have been tried and tested over the years by small engine repair technicians and back-yard-mechanics alike. There are several companies that manufacture carburetors for gasoline powered small engines, I acknowledge that they may not be the ONLY techniques and there are many different models and styles available for small engine carburetor troubleshooting and repair, and they may not be the best possible techniques, of carburetors in use. In some cases the differ- but they were chosen for this booklet because they have ences may be subtle, while in other cases the been proven to work in the vast majority of cases and they differences are drastic. Therefore, this booklet are the easiest to understand and to perform. will approach the subject of small engine carbu- retor problems from a generic view. The outcome: As stated at the beginning of this booklet, there are so many different types of carburetors in use to- This booklet will help you determine whether or day that it would have taken volumes to address the is- not your small engine problem is in fact related sues, benefits, and shortcomings of each specific one. to the carburetor, and provide instructions to I believe have done my best to provide you with a generic remedy the most common carburetor problems. working knowledge of small engine carburetors, and to of- fer informed suggestions as to the nature of certain opera- The bowl and float style carburetor is the most tions, problems, and remedial measures. common, and problematic, carburetor used on small engines. You will, therefore, find this style I sincerely hope that the final outcome of this booklet is used in many of the illustrations throughout this one that has met your small engine needs. booklet. While you may have a different style carburetor on your machine, the remedies de- For additional assistance, or to offer your comments and suggestions, please feel free to email me at: scribed here-in will work with most any type of carburetor. [email protected] 58 3 Final Comments 4 57 Carburetor Adjustments Idle Speed Adjustment Turn the Idle Speed Adjustment screw until it “just” con- tacts the mechanical throttle linkage arm. This will pre- vent the engine from dropping below “stall” speed when you move the throttle to slow. Carburetor You must now readjust the main valve Basics 56 5 Carburetor Adjustments High Idle Adjustment Allow the machine to run until it reaches normal operating temperature, then set the mechanical speed control (throttle) on the machine’s handle to the fastest possible speed. Begin turning the high Idle Valve screw inward (clockwise) until you hear the engine change speed. If the engine begins to run slower, turn the screw in the other direction. The machine should begin to run faster. Continue increasing the engine’s speed (by turning the screw) until the engine either begins to sputter or begins to slow down again. Once this happens, return the screw to the position where the engine was running at it’s fast- est speed. This adjustment is complete. Low Idle Adjustment Move the mechanical throttle to the engines slowest speed and perform the same procedure on the low idle valve that you just used on the high idle valve, until you reach the slowest speed at which the engine continues to run smoothly without stalling. NOTE: It may be necessary to back-off the mechanical idle speed adjustment screw first. 6 55 Carburetor Adjustments Carburetor Basics Rule-of-Thumb Before we get started it is important for you to understand some simple and basic concepts about carburetors If engine will not start A general rule of thumb for all adjustable valves is to gently turn the valve inward (clockwise) until it seats, Regardless of the type, style, or manufacturer, (DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN) and then back the valve out every carburetor, performs the same function: (counter-clockwise) one full turn. 1) to mix fuel (gasoline) and oxygen (air) in the exact In many (if not most) cases, where the valve is not dam- proportions needed to sustain combustion aged and the ports are not obstructed, this will provide 2) To send that mixture to the combustion chamber sufficient fuel to allow the small engine to start and run. where it is converted into energy to perform work. If this fails, you may have to experiment with your par- ticular machine by changing the number of turns any where from a low of one–half turn, to a high of two In order to accomplish the above, a carburetor re- complete turns (it is not an exact science). quires two things: Fine tuning of these valves will be required once the ma- 1) an adequate supply of fresh, clean fuel chine can remain running on it’s own. 2) an adequate supply of clean air Removing, restricting, or contaminating either of these two, will impede, or prevent, your carburetor from per- Main Valve Adjustment forming it’s function. Once the engine can remain running on it’s own, adjust the main valve by turning it in either, or both, directions until the engine runs smoothly at all speeds. It’s a fairly simple formula but one which can not be changed: This will have to be repeated after high and low idle adjust- ments are made. Air + Fuel = Combustible mixture 54 7 Carburetor Basics Carburetor Adjustments All small engines require these basic elements High Idle Adjustment in order to operate: The High Idle Adjustment (usually indicated by the letter “H” stamped on the carb) is a valve that controls fuel FUEL - AIR - COMPRESSION - SPARK flow when the engine is running at it’s fastest speed. Turning the screw clockwise will case the machine to run slower. Counter-clockwise will make it run faster. Remove any one of these and the This must be adjusted BEFORE the engine won’t run low idle is adjusted and only when the machine’s throttle (speed con- trol) is set at the fastest setting. ♦ FUEL - Fresh, clean, gasoline of an octane rating recommended by the manufacturer. ♦ AIR - Mixes with fuel to make it These basic elements are combustible. our main concern ♦ COMPRESSION - Fuel and air Main Valve mixture are compressed inside the engine. The main valve controls the flow of fuel from the bowl to the throat of the carburetor. Turning the screw clockwise ♦ SPARK - Produced by the “spark restricts the flow of fuel. Counter-clockwise increases the plug”. It ignites the compressed flow of fuel. fuel and air mixture and forces the piston to turn the engine. 8 53 Carburetor Adjustments Carburetor Basics Idle Speed Adjustment How It Works As the name implies, the Idle Speed Adjustment controls the speed (in RPMs) at which the engine idles. It is a mechanical adjustment and not a fuel valve. 1. FUEL 4. SPARK Fuel flows from the The spark plug ignites fuel tank to the the mixture and carburetor pushes the piston Tightening (turning clockwise) the screw will push the mechanical arm outward and make the machine idle faster, while turning it counter-clockwise (loosening) will cause the machine to idle slower. This adjustment simply determines how far the throttle linkage can move toward the slow position. This must be adjusted AFTER the high and low idle valves (if present) are adjusted. Low Idle Adjustment The Low Idle Adjustment (usually indicated by the letter “L” stamped on the carb) is a valve that controls fuel flow when the engine is at idle. Turning the screw clockwise will 2. AIR 3. COMPRESSION Air enters the Fuel and air mixture is cause the machine to run slower. Counter-clockwise will carburetor and mixes compressed by the make it run faster. with the fuel piston This is adjusted only when the ma- chine’s throttle (speed control) is set at the slowest setting. 52 9 Carburetor Basics Carburetor Adjustments The carburetor is the heart of the small engine. The (1) drawing below represents the most common design: a basic "bowl and float” type carburetor with adjustable valves. The carburetor on your machine may be TWO ADJUSTMENTS somewhat different and may not include a bowl, but many of the other parts will be basically the same and in approximately the same location. (2) Choke Linkage Throttle Linkage THREE ADJUSTMENTS Idle Speed Screw (3) Choke Plate Idle Mixture Valve FOUR ADJUSTMENTS Fuel Bowl (4) Main Valve (5) 10 51 Carburetor Adjustments There is no gauge with which a small engine carburetor can be properly adjusted, nor is there a chart, table, or diagram I can provide that will assist you in properly adjusting it. The art of adjusting a small engine carburetor comes from training and experience. A small engine technician adjusts more by feel and sound than by manufacturer’s specs and this is something that comes only from experience. That being said, I will provide you with some very basic, Carburetor “rule of thumb” techniques. I do not guarantee that they will make your machine run smoothly (or even correctly). Some small engine carburetors have no adjustable features Maintenance at all. Of those that do have adjustable features, most have two adjustments, some have a third, and others may have a fourth. These are: TWO ADJUSTMENTS Idle speed adjustment (1) Main Valve (2) THREE ADJUSTMENTS (1) and (2) plus: Mixture Valve (3) FOUR ADJUSTMENTS (1) and (2) plus: High Idle Valve (4) Low Idle (5) 50 11 Carburetor Adjustments 12 49 Carburetor Maintenance Preventive Maintenance Before we get into solving your carburetor problems, lets take a few minutes to talk about preventing them.