Tecumseh Carburetors are fairly simple units. The float model carbs are easy to rebuild/repair. Before you
start, one thing you will need is a factory repair manual.
There are some common problems with carburetors that should be checked before you start a rebuild. Many times
the following items will correct the trouble your engine is having. You will still need a repair kit to replace
certain gaskets and seals that should be replaced whenever disturbed.
One of the more common problems is the flooding of the carb. If this is your complaint check the float first.
Remove the float bowl, float pin and remove the float. Be careful that you do not loosen the float needle valve.
Now shake the float and listen for gas inside. If the float sloshes, replace it with a new one. Replace the float
needle valve seat and adjust the float per the factory manual. Replace the float bowl gaskets.
If you are experiencing performance problems and suspect the carb, you will have to remove it from the engine to correct
the problem. After the carb is off the engine there is one thing you need to check before going any further. Remove
the float as above. Now hold the choke and throttle butterflies so that you can shake the carb without them making a
sound. Shake the carb and listen for it to rattle. If you do not hear the rattle, the emulsion tube is stuck. This
tube is sealed into the body of the carb during manufacturing and can not be replaced. The carburetor will need to be
replaced. Also if the aluminum body of the carb is corroded inside, any rebuild will only be a temporary fix. Once
the corrosion has started it can not be stopped.
If everything checks out up to here, a rebuild and cleaning should fix the carb. However there is one more
tricky thing you will need to do. You must remove the welch plug on the side of the carb. This can be done
by driving a sharpened small punch or screw driver through the plug and popping it out. Take extreme care when
doing this procedure. There are two jets cast into the carb body under this welch plug. If you damage them
the carb will have to be replaced. With the welch plug removed and the main jet(in the bowl nut) out the three
holes that need to be cleaned are exposed. Using a piece of soft tag wire clean these holes. Now clean the complete
carb with carb cleaner.
Re-assemble the carb. Make sure that the needle valve seat is completely down into its bore. After driving in
the new welch plug, paint it with finger nail polish to seal it. Adjust the float height using a #4 twist drill as
directed in the repair manual.
Now that your carb is rebuilt don't drop the ball on the 90 yard line. Replace the gaskets between the carb and the
engine, and the carb and the air cleaner. One common mistake made is to fail to replace the fuel line between the
carb and the fuel filter/tank. If the carb was full of dirt or varnish the fuel line will also be. Plus when the
carb or fuel line is removed, the inside of the hose usually is damaged. Small fragments of hose materials can break loose
and flow into the carb. This will ruin the job that you just completed.
After the carb is remounted to the engine it must be adjusted correctly. You will need a repair manual to do this. Remember
that the idle circuit must be adjusted first. Without the idle circuit working correctly you will never get the main jet
adjusted correctly |
