B&S refuses to start (video)

5614 Views 10 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Shann, Apr 18, 2011

Shann

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2011

Hey all. I'm having a tough time getting my pressure washer started. It weakly sputters a couple of times when I first pull the cord and then does nothing.
It's a Briggs and Stratton Quantum XTL (Clean power 60).

I've emptied the tank and added fresh fuel. I've cleaned the air filter. Put in a new spark plug. Replaced the fuel line. Cleaned the carb (sprayed carb cleaner, cleaned out the bowl, cleaned out the bowl nut jet holes with a wire etc.)

Any ideas to why it won't start or direction on what I should try next is appreciated. Thanks a lot.

I made a youtube clip of an attempted start - maybe it willl give some insight to the problem. clip:YouTube - Generac pressure washer will not start.

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Mark / Ohio

· #2 · Apr 11, 2011

Looks like some smoke when it tries to start. Might try to spray some carb cleaner into the intake and see if it takes off for a sec or two longer. If it does then that goes back to the carb again. If not then maybe it has weak spark.

Did you set/confirm the proper gap on the new plug? Is the plug wet with gas if you pull it out after it sputters and stalls?

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Shann

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 11, 2011

Thanks for the reply. I gave the the intake a shot of carb cleaner and still nothing. I can't even get to sputter anymore.

I checked, and the spark plug is gapped correctly.
I pulled out the spark plug after trying to start it and yes, it is slightly wet with gas. I'm guessing this is not a good thing? (I'm a real novice with engines).

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Mark / Ohio

· #4 · Apr 12, 2011 (Edited)

Shann said:
...I pulled out the spark plug after trying to start it and yes, it is slightly wet with gas. I'm guessing this is not a good thing? (I'm a real novice with engines).

Neither good nor bad. Just gives a clue as to what might be going on.

Since the plug is "slightly wet" that means gas is getting into the carb and from there into the cylinder. (That is a good thing.

) But is also leads to the question of why it is not getting burned. It could be the gas is coming from the carb with too rich of an air/fuel mixture flooding the engine. But I'm still kind of leaning toward (guessing) a weak spark as the problem. Next I would check the spark to make sure it is bright blue and strong. It's not totally out of the realm of the possible to have a bad plug right out of the box. It's happened more then once to me replacing plugs in my cars over the years.

Couple links that might be helpful for you:

You can probably find the engine service manual here that would include troubleshooting information:

Manuals | Customer Support | Briggs & Stratton

Here they give troubleshooting tips and how to resolve different issues:

What would prevent an engine from starting? | Frequently Asked Questions | Customer Support | Briggs & Stratton

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Shann

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 13, 2011

Ah, o.k. that makes sense. I'll definitely head out to the store tomorrow and pick-up a new spark plug (fingers crossed). Thanks for the help and the links.

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Ihatemowing

· #6 · Apr 15, 2011

Mark / Ohio said:
Next I would check the spark to make sure it is bright blue and strong. It's not totally out of the realm of the possible to have a bad plug right out of the box.

I second the weak or no spark idea. if there is no spark throught the plug don't forget to try it w/o the plug. stick a screwdriver into the plug wire and set it near the block pull it over slowly if there is still no spark it could be the coil.

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Shann

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 16, 2011

Thanks for the spark plug tip. I tested it out and it appeared I was getting good spark. I tried starting it again today. And I'm not sure what I did, but now the engine starts a little. It starts up, weakly chugs for ten seconds or so and then quits. It's also smokes a bit when it runs.
I made another clip of what it's doing now. new clip: YouTube - Generac pressure washer - progress?

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Mark / Ohio

· #8 · Apr 16, 2011

From that video looks like the fuel mixture is too rich with the continuing smoke. When you looked at the plug, did it only have gas on it? Or was there also oil on it?

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Shann

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 16, 2011

Just took another look, and yeah, there also appears to be oil on it. I checked the oil level and it's slightly above the "full" line. But just slightly.

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TC

· #10 · Apr 17, 2011

Shann, May I make a suggestion....

lets start with no fuel and add back the fuel until it starts. I do believe ( and I am guessing) that you engine is simply flooding. It does want to run. First, remove the plug and pull the rope several times with the plug removed. Do not choke and do not give any fuel. This will clean out the cylinder and remove any excess gas. Now with a dry spark plug replaced, try starting by allowing more fuel with each pull. It may take a few pulls at each stage. Get the air filter and cover out of your way and as a last resort, add a small amount of fuel directly into the carb. Somewhere along this path, the engine should start. Good luck.

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Shann

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 18, 2011

Thanks for the help. As soon as the rain lets up here I'll go out and follow your step by step (I'm learning a lot). Hopefully I'm close to getting it running. Thanks again.

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