Pressure Washer Carburetor Problem
Briggs and Stratton carburetor
I waited to long now my pressure washer has a carburetor problem. I confess this problem cropped up because I waited too long(didn’t use the equipment) and didn’t do my due diligence and run out my fuel. Now I am faced with this problem.
Gummed up
I need to clean out my carburetor jets. They are gummed up and now my pressure washer doesn’t want to start. This means that I need to remove my carburetor and disassemble it so that I can clean out the passageways, make sure the float is working, and clean out the idle circuit jet.
Still have the spark
My diagnostic checks revealed that the spark is still present for the spark plug. While the plug is still good it looks extremely rusty and in need of replacement. The air filter is plugged up and the fuel line is brittle and cracked. How did this little-used machine get into this condition? Oh wait it’s my fault, I haven’t looked at it in a very long time. But let us get back to the carburetor.
Spray or Dip?
I will need to buy a can of carburetor cleaner spray and or a can of carburetor dip to clean the carb. Sometimes the carburetor can be cleaned out by spraying the passageways after it has been disassembled. Cleaning out the bowl and the gas inlet can also be sprayed until clean. The other method has you place the individual parts(without gaskets, O-rings, needle seat) into a metal basket and immersing the parts for several hours to a day to allow the chemical to “clean” them. A small wire brush and some spray into the jet and passageways after the dip should get the carburetor clean. You may need(a rebuild kit) consisting of a new needle, and seat, gasket for the bowl and an O-ring and gasket for the air filter housing where it bolts to the carburetor.
One more option
I weighed those options against a new carburetor and to my surprise, the cost of a new carburetor was a very reasonable cost-effective option. My fuel tank was clean without residues so it did not need to be cleaned(sprayed). A new fuel line sold by the foot(one foot was more than enough) and a replacement gas tank cap rounded out the fuel system. I ordered the carburetor and a new air filter. I didn’t know it at that time but there are kits available that have all these parts included a “one-stop shopping” kit if you want to give it a name. That would have been easier as I could have purchased all the parts I needed in one kit.
Changing the Carburetor
The new carburetor came with a new gasket for the air filter housing and O-ring for mounting the carburetor to the engine. I measured out the new fuel line and cut it to length. The carb is held to the engine by two bolts. Three bolts mount the air cleaner filter housing onto the carburetor. A quick fill of the fuel tank, Set the speed to maximum, add a little choke and after a few pulls of the starting cord the engine fired up and ran like a brand new engine.
Information for ordering a new carburetor
If you want to replace your carburetor you will need to know the engine model number to determine the correct carburetor number. Here is a link that will help you locate where the ID plate is located depending on what type of equipment it is. Briggs and Stratton has an excellent page on how to read your engine’s number and finding your engine’s replacement parts.
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