OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Tecumseh / Kirby Engines Firing up?

Just purchased an old 45. Had been out in the weather for a while & can't fire her up. Have taken carby apart & cleaned,same with fuel tank, lines etc. Float & needle seem ok, plenty of fuel in bowl etc etc. If I take out spark plug & add some fuel she fires with one pull until fuel is spent. Any ideas as a possible cause?.
Should add the old girl is Kirby Tecumseh with a solid deck.
I have a pic but how to upload?
Thx
newby 1st post.

If it fires when you prime it, that eliminates ignition, valve timing and compression. You are left with fuel not getting from the float bowl to the intake port. The most likely causes are a fairly huge vacuum leak or a blocked main jet.

I think I'd start by cleaning the jet. If that isn't it, I'd look for a vacuum leak somewhere between the intake port and the carburetor.

Have tried a couple of things.
*swapped carby from my other mower & had instant success in starting.
*Put original carby back on without air filter, covered air filter breather with tape & pulled cord. Could see tape pulling down with the vacuum, could also feel it with my thumb over hole.
*Have cleaned every hole I can possibly find inside the carby & have blown through with compressed air.
Bugger won't start! Are there kits for these guys & is this the way I should be heading?
* Along the same lines my other mower needs a new pull start mechanism, the centre cap that has the tongue inside is almost cactus, are these parts readily available?
*My question is do I upgrade to a new engine (Honda) on one mower & keep the second as parts for the other?

tp290,

From what your are saying I am leaning towards either exhaust/inlet valve or worn rings.

You can still get some parts for the old Tecumseh motors and I think that we have some in stock as well.

If it works properly with a different carburetor, your fault is in the original carburetor. Since you are sure the float bowl is filling, it can only be the main jet or one of the associated drillings. I think you need a manual that shows how the carburetor works and how to service it. Best guess is you haven't found the main jet yet, and it is still blocked. Second best guess is there is a lump of crud in one of the drilled holes and you haven't blown that one out yet. This is all based on your statements that the float bowl is filling properly, and the mower runs properly when you replace the carburetor.

Tp290 & Grumpy,

We have the workshop manual in the parts list and manuals area of the forum for the carburetors.

Thx for the info.
It has to be in the carby, i'll check it out again.
It looks a very simple set up, & has to be a block somewhere.
I have soaked it in petrol over night & have pocked a very fine copper wire down three tiny holes, all seems ok.
The main jet blasts air quite easily so have eliminated that.
I will try the online manual to see if it can enlighten me with some more info?
Thx again