Sears 5 HP

[scottmitten]

Hi,<br />I could use some expert advice. Today I bought a Sears 5hp Model 217 58991 at a yard sale. The motor started when I brought it home but it does not run well or for very long. It acts as if it is running out of fuel. I made sure the fuel was running from tank to carb and it still acted the same. I messed with idle and flow knobs and not much difference. I tore the carb apart and cleaned all of the green gunk from the float and other parts. I think I made a mistake when I used compressed air to blow into the fuel intake portion of the carb. I think I saw what looked like a piece of pencil lead shoot out of the center of the carb (the bowl was off) so was this a needle valve? Not the engine runs a little better but there is fuel flowing out of a hole in the side of the carburetor. Nothing stops it except shutting the fuel off. I have read on other posts that this is actually an Eska 5HP 1971 and it has the same parts as a Techumsa Lawn mower. Can I take the carb to a lawn mower guy and get it fixed? Does anyone know the name of the part or the number I shot out into my lawn? What are the proper adjustments for flow and idle on this motor? <br />Thanks for any help.<br /><br />Scott M<br />scottmitten@comcast.net

 

[Aatcman]

Re: Sears 5 HP

Hi,<br /><br />your problem is simple. You dropped the needle valve. This "pencil lead" looking thingy is pushed up by the float when the fuel level rises -- EXACTALLY the same way the water in your toilet shuts off when the tank is full. Without that pin, you have no way to shut off the fuel (except as you said, with the manual shutoff -- or disconnecting the external tank)<br /><br /><br />Don't feel bad, I did the same thing. Get an old speaker and wipe it over the ground in the area you were working (make sure to hold the back, which is a MAGNET, DOWN.) Eventually, the pin will stick to the magnet.<br /><br />Once you put this pin back in, your motor should run fine. I would recommend spraying the whole thing out with a GOOD aerosaul carb cleaner -- soak it good, let it drip dry before you re-assemble.<br /><br />d)<br /><br />good luck d)<br /><br />As far as the "seems like it runs out of fuel", see the end of my long post in the "sears 5hp no spark" thread for a description of how to set the main and secondary needles. d)

 

[scottmitten]

Re: Sears 5 HP

Thanx,<br />I bought a small engines repair manual(chiltons) and the carbs look indentical. I think my course of action is to purchase a tecumseh carb repair kit for about ten $. It seems they havent changed too much it 30 yrs. Anyway, a new neddle valve and spring, idle adjustment screw, welch caps, gaskets, and so on are all included. Since I have it apart is it worth the effort to replace rings, condensor, points?<br />Other than a large stlotted screw driver and puller it doesent seem too tough.<br /><br />Scott M<br /><br />Scott Mitten

 

[HarryHydro]

Re: Sears 5 HP

HI:<br /> That sounds like a needle valve to me. Maybe a big magnet will pick it up! Problem soulds like a gummed-up carburator. Probably running lean. Some spray GumOut will help. They say use NO metal wire inside a carburator, either, but I've used guitar strings before with no problem. <br />Harry