OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines Brand new mower - major rich problem!

Hi Guys

I found this brand new Victa Vantage with Briggs 450 outside my unit complex. Being a qualified motor mechanic, I figured I'd be able to fix whatever was wrong with it. Boy, was I wrong! It runs (barely) super rich - belching out black smoke and misfiring like nothing else. I've removed the fuel tank, drained and refilled with fresh fuel (thought someone had put 2 stroke fuel in it), removed the carb and blown out all orifices (removed & blew out main jet), checked the diaphragm, air cleaner, new sparkplug, everything is new and spotless clean - now it's just driving me crazy! It was slightly over filled with oil so I drained out the excess and it's spot on the full mark now. I removed the throttle linkage and governor springs and I can get it to idle ok (no smoke) with the throttle plate fully closed. When I open the throttle past about 1/4 it smokes and farts like nothing else. I've heard this is a common problem but it's got me stumped! Any information would be very much appreciated!

Chris