Briggs & Stratton Vanguard

  • Thread starter Thread starter treesmith
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treesmith

treesmith

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i have a B&S Vanguard 18 HP on one of my Ramrods. When I went to move it yesterday, it cranked right up and ran a couple of minutes, then sputtered and died. As long as I played with the choke, it would sputter a bit and then die repeatedly. After several tries, it won't even fire now. The engine was put on the Ramrod Brand new back in the summer. I'd estimate 20 hours on it, and that's probably overestimated. Anybody got an idea what it could be? It's getting fuel down to the carb. Haven't had time to investigate. Just wondered if there was some problem known to these engines. I'm wondering if the plastic gas tank might have acquired some condensation and gotten water in the bowl. Advice? :?
 
I'm thinking it's just a carb float stuck closed. You parked it with the fuel off, right?

Tap the carb body sharply a few times with something non-marring, like the handle of a BMF screwdriver, and see if that solves it.

Went through this with my quad a couple weeks ago; exact same symptoms.
 
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Where is the fuel pump on these engine? Is it the little black plastic round do-dad next to the air filter cover? And would it be likely that the pump is bad on a new engine?
 
Yup... the little doo dad next to the air filter, one hose in ... one out... Chances are if it is a new unit... I doubt the pump is bad. Erik also has a valid point about the float. But I am betting it is water.
 
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  • #9
brendonv said:
Carl didn't borrow it did he?

Maybe he rolled it or something.
Click to expand...

Nah, Carl hasn't been too hyped on mini's since he acquired the Gehl. He does seem to have a flair for showing off the underneath of machinery, doesn't he? :lol:
 
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  • #10
I didn't cut the fuel off on that one, Erik. I've had zero problems with it until now. I habitually cut the fuel off on the other one, as it has more than once washed the rear platform with gas when the float stuck.
 
Lots of problems with those engines, but that's an entire new thread!
It sounds like a fuel issue, if none of the other suggestions work pull the carb off and clean it then try again.
 
If it weren't a new engine I'd say fuel pump .Fact I've got a bad one on an 18 HP opposed piston I just haven't gotten around to order yet .
 
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  • #14
Not sure what it was. I drained a bit of gas, knocked on the carb, managed to burn two of the wires up on the wiring harness, and generally had a fit with it, but it's running now. I detected the smell of old gas, which it had none of, therefore, I'm thinking it had a little water in it. Thanks, guys.
 
I have two Kawasaki engines that do the same damn thing every year. I can have them covered with a tarp... yada yada..
Still end up draining all the gas out of the tank and start over. I have been luckier of late than in the past though. The cap on the tank is vented. I just put a coffee cup that would fit over it and it helps a lot.
 
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