EricJRW
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2010
- Messages
- 488
Model VE50TLETF
To make a long story short (initial symptoms omitted) I replaced all the 5/16" fuel lines on my motor this weekend. I did these lines because they felt particularly soft and I did not think about the smaller lines that go to the carburetors. Well after replacing the lines the engine would start, run for about 15 seconds and die. I could crank the engine again and it starts, runs 15 seconds and dies. This was very repeatable.
In thinking that it was the fuel pump, I pulled one of the small lines going to the carburetor and cranked the engine. Fuel and a lot of small black particles (hose innards) came out of the line. I did the line to the other carburetor with the same results.
So now I know I need to replace the smaller fuel lines too, but I'm sure the carburetor bowls are now also filled with the black gunk. So at the very minimum I think I need to pull the carbs and clean out the gunk. So here are my questions:
1. Will cleaning out the bowls be enough, or is there going to more disassembly required?
2. Can the bowls be cleaned/emptied without removal? I saw no obvious way to do this, but think it's worth asking.
3. What size are the smaller lines? I have a sample, but its old and stretched. Unlike the 5/16", I don't see a size on it.
Also, while doing this work, I pulled the cover on what I thought was an air filter and now realize it's probably a spark arrestor. Which led to the realization that the motor has no air filter. There is a spot (top rear) in the motor cover that that seems removable (via 3 bolts), but there is nothing in the space (I can see from inside to outside through it). Is there meant to be an air filter in the cover? Seems odd not to have a filter...
Thanks so much in advance.
Eric
PS. I don't own the repair manual, but the last time I needed it I checked it out from the library. I'm off to see if I can still get it (they were available via an inter-library loan, so not actually at my library, so I will have to wait).
PPS. I tried the "pump the primer bulb" trick with no effect, so I think it's the gunk rising and falling in the carburetor bowls. Oh, and the motor primes well with a nice solid bulb.
PPPS. Filter screen for fuel pump and in-line filter both look good, i.e. no black gunk.
-ew
To make a long story short (initial symptoms omitted) I replaced all the 5/16" fuel lines on my motor this weekend. I did these lines because they felt particularly soft and I did not think about the smaller lines that go to the carburetors. Well after replacing the lines the engine would start, run for about 15 seconds and die. I could crank the engine again and it starts, runs 15 seconds and dies. This was very repeatable.
In thinking that it was the fuel pump, I pulled one of the small lines going to the carburetor and cranked the engine. Fuel and a lot of small black particles (hose innards) came out of the line. I did the line to the other carburetor with the same results.
So now I know I need to replace the smaller fuel lines too, but I'm sure the carburetor bowls are now also filled with the black gunk. So at the very minimum I think I need to pull the carbs and clean out the gunk. So here are my questions:
1. Will cleaning out the bowls be enough, or is there going to more disassembly required?
2. Can the bowls be cleaned/emptied without removal? I saw no obvious way to do this, but think it's worth asking.
3. What size are the smaller lines? I have a sample, but its old and stretched. Unlike the 5/16", I don't see a size on it.
Also, while doing this work, I pulled the cover on what I thought was an air filter and now realize it's probably a spark arrestor. Which led to the realization that the motor has no air filter. There is a spot (top rear) in the motor cover that that seems removable (via 3 bolts), but there is nothing in the space (I can see from inside to outside through it). Is there meant to be an air filter in the cover? Seems odd not to have a filter...
Thanks so much in advance.
Eric
PS. I don't own the repair manual, but the last time I needed it I checked it out from the library. I'm off to see if I can still get it (they were available via an inter-library loan, so not actually at my library, so I will have to wait).
PPS. I tried the "pump the primer bulb" trick with no effect, so I think it's the gunk rising and falling in the carburetor bowls. Oh, and the motor primes well with a nice solid bulb.
PPPS. Filter screen for fuel pump and in-line filter both look good, i.e. no black gunk.
-ew
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