power washer problems

[Fibersport]

While it isn't directly garage related, I do keep my power washer in the garage ... I was using it to clean the deck yesterday when it wouldn't run very well, it kept surging. The tank had been dry and I just got new gas so it isn't that. I sprayed some carb cleaner in it with no change. I then figured why not throw in some E-85 to really clean things up. I let it sit awhile and started it, it ran great, no surging at all. After I used up that tank full, I put in regular gas and the surging came back. Next tank went back to the E-85 and like before, it ran like a champ. I was low on E-85 and mixed in about 25% regular gas and the surging was back again. The motor is a Briggs 3.5 or 3.75 on a Craftsman 2 gpm pump. The carb has no adjustments that I can see, the tank is also mounted right under the carb so there is no fuel line to have issues with. Any thoughts why it won't run on gas? I've never had problems like this before, however if it runs on E-85 then I'll just keep using it.

 

[cdestuck]

You might have stored it with the tank empty but the wasvprob still fuel in the carb gloat bowl. Tired is prob some sort of blockage and needs a rebuild. Get it done and I'd really stay away from E85 for sure. Destructive stuff

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If it runs on e85 and not regular, sounds like it's running rich. There may be a blocked air bleed in the carb...

Tommy

 

[sberry]

They usually don't need rebuild but cleaning. I do them all the time, I can r&r a small engine carb in a few minutes.

 

[sberry]

Sometimes cleaning the bowl works but lately take them off first thing and air pressure blow them out. Lots of times they run on old gas, put fresh in and in a bit they got a problem, it softens the goo, lets it all loose, only fix is a cleaning. Careful with the bowl gasket, rarely need any parts.
Similar to old updraft tractor carbs, once they been serviced and the gaskets not broke they are made to be field cleaned, welders same way.

 

[Fibersport]

Thanks for the replies, I was really pressed for time yesterday and didn't want to take the time to tear into it, I would agree that something is plugged however I didn't know how easy they were to tear apart. Guess that might be my project tonight.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

If it runs on e85 and not regular, sounds like it's running rich. There may be a blocked air bleed in the carb...

Tommy

My thinking too.

 

[Fibersport]

Just got in after cleaning the heck out of the carb, while it does run better, it still surges. The next step was to Google it and low and behold, turns out it's a very common thing with the smaller Briggs motors and is related to the diaphragm gasket between the carb and the tank which is also the fuel pump. Watched a couple of videos with motors that sound just like mine. I'll look around for a kit and report back in a few days.

 

[rustyjames]

While it isn't directly garage related, I do keep my power washer in the garage ... I was using it to clean the deck yesterday when it wouldn't run very well, it kept surging. The tank had been dry and I just got new gas so it isn't that. I sprayed some carb cleaner in it with no change. I then figured why not throw in some E-85 to really clean things up. I let it sit awhile and started it, it ran great, no surging at all. After I used up that tank full, I put in regular gas and the surging came back. Next tank went back to the E-85 and like before, it ran like a champ. I was low on E-85 and mixed in about 25% regular gas and the surging was back again. The motor is a Briggs 3.5 or 3.75 on a Craftsman 2 gpm pump. The carb has no adjustments that I can see, the tank is also mounted right under the carb so there is no fuel line to have issues with. Any thoughts why it won't run on gas? I've never had problems like this before, however if it runs on E-85 then I'll just keep using it.

It's probably the diaphragm between tank and carb, easy fix. Another thing that can happen on these engines is the tank warps where the carb bolts on: what happens is the engine will start/run fine for several minutes then sputters. This can usually be cured with a little flat filing action.

 

[Fibersport]

Picked up a gasket/diaphragm kit at Lowes, took all of 5 minutes to install, first pull and she fired right up and ran better than ever. Amazing how stable and smooth it ran. A storm was brewing but I was able to run a tank of regular gas through it before the rain, it ran flawlessly! Best $5 spent in a long time.