Power washer help

Danase · 07-23-06, 07:04

Ok, yesterday I bought a power washer, 1500 psi Sears/Briggs and Straton 3.8 HP. I bought it knowing it would not run without dumping gas into the carb. I the carb was clogged, I cleaned it and it runs now. Now, the problem is that once it runs it lopes. It will rev high then bog down and then high again over and over. So I have good pressure then no pressure then good pressure.
Any idea what could be the problem?

WSUcommuter · 07-23-06, 06:01

I take it that your power washer is not new?

If this is the case, many Briggs & Stratton engines have diaphragms on the carburetors that tend to get weak and start losing seal. This often results in engine loping when extra air gets sucked into the carb. Also, you stated you cleaned the carb. Did you try running compressed air through the needles? Often they get clogged and a simple spray of carb cleaner is insufficient. Hope this helps!

themightytimmah · 07-23-06, 08:42

Sounds like it might be running too lean and bogging down. Try cranking the high speed screw a little towards the "rich" side.

Five Star · 07-23-06, 09:21

they should have a governer on them, could be over revving, then the governer kicks in causing it to bog down.

if thats the case, you need to find the cause of the high rpm's

Danase · 07-24-06, 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUcommuter

I take it that your power washer is not new?

If this is the case, many Briggs & Stratton engines have diaphragms on the carburetors that tend to get weak and start losing seal. This often results in engine loping when extra air gets sucked into the carb. Also, you stated you cleaned the carb. Did you try running compressed air through the needles? Often they get clogged and a simple spray of carb cleaner is insufficient. Hope this helps!

When I put the bowl back on the bottom of the carb the o-ring was cracked. I did not have a new oring that size so I put the cracked one in and forgot about it! Maybe this is the problem?
Where are the governors located?

Super · 07-24-06, 07:52

Go down and get a carb kit, empty out the gas put new gas in, clean gas filter inside the tank. the governor you need specs to adjust it right, but you can check the spring to the gov. make sure linkage is not bent or jammed (don't adjust gov unles you know what you are doing) The gov should be inside to engine cover