My 5HP TD 20 will not idle down. If I go too far down it quits. What can I do to correct that?
Thanks,Mike
There is a what is called a venturi (mini carb) at the front of the engine on the crank case. There is an adjustment needle (L shaped rod). Idle air/fuel mixture is adjusted there. I feel for it under the front of the cowl. They are a little bit of a challenge to get right on. I shut the low speed jet off (turn it all the way in gently) and get the high speed adjusted favoring lean then open and adjust the low speed at idle. The reason I do this is both seem to affect each high and low speed. Its just the higher rpms are more sensitive to the high speed adjustment and low rpms/idle are more sensitive to the slow speed adjustment. There are other methods out there including what Johnson recommended.
5/8 out from seated on the low is almost perfect on all of my T and H series of motors.
Also, have you been through the carb? Lines replaced? Spark jump a 1/4" gap on a tester with a bright blue ZAP!!?? Running on both cylinders? What is the compression?
If the motor does not have enough oil in it, and/or the brass bushings are worn, it will have a hard time idling slow. Carboned up or stuck rings can do the same thing. Use 1/2 pint per gallon oil-gas ratio and inspect the rings through the side cover to see what shape they are in. When in good condition and tuned up, those motors will tick over beautifully.