Tecumsah 8hp leaks gas

wayneclay · 05-12-2008, 07:28 PM

Hello...hope someone can offer this newbie a suggestion. My old Snapper rider with an 8HP tecum starts ok and runs fine - for about 15-20 minutes!...then, the engine dies and gas dribbles from the carb bowl area (looks like the leak is near the top of the bowl), and I have to shut off the fuel supply knob. Next day, I open the fuel line, and the cycle repeats again. I put Sea Foam in the gas tank, but that's all I've done. Is this a carb repair/rebuild situation? Or could the fuel filter be clogged? Anything I could do myself? I'm only mildly mechanically savvy. Thanks for any suggestions and for your time!

wayne
Oakdale, MN

RIGHTE0US · 05-13-2008, 12:07 AM

place a new seal at the top of the bowl for the carb. While you have the bowl off, be sure the needle for the float isnt sticking.

wayneclay · 05-13-2008, 02:18 PM

Hi...Thanks for replying. Is there any trick to removing the bowl or is it pretty obvious in most cases? (it's pouring rain right now, or I'd go out and look it over)...is a new seal a readily available part? (sorry for the dumb questions)...lastly: for my own knowledge, why does it run for awhile before the bowl starts leaking? Thanks again for your time!

wayne

BUDFAN8 · 05-14-2008, 09:39 PM

sounds like the needle valve is sticking and as rightoeus said making the bowl leak.

you only need the right size wrench or socket to take the bowl off. bolt in the bottom of it and it should just drop off. while you have it off make sure the float is working properly up and down without it wanting to hang in spots. another thing to check is make sure there are no liquids in the float itsself. on the hinge side of the float pull the pin (be careful the needle valve may fall out when you pull the pin ) once you have the float out shake it and try to hear fluid inside it if there is it needs replaced.

if the float has no fluid in it check the hol the needle valve is in to see if there is dirt or buildup in there clean if there is and put it all back togather using a new gasket for the bowl( can pick up new gasket at any small engine shop or some hardware stores).

hope this helps
Bud.

wayneclay · 05-18-2008, 05:31 PM

thank you so much! I will give it a try!...the bolt holding the bowl also has a little screw with a spring on it?...it's all part of one another. I hope that won't mess that spring thing up, (whatever it is?)...thanks again folks!

05-12-2008, 07:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
wayneclay Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3 OS: mac osX	Tecumsah 8hp leaks gas Hello...hope someone can offer this newbie a suggestion. My old Snapper rider with an 8HP tecum starts ok and runs fine - *for about 15-20 minutes!*...then, the engine dies and gas dribbles from the carb bowl area (looks like the leak is near the top of the bowl), and I have to shut off the fuel supply knob. Next day, I open the fuel line, and the cycle repeats again. I put Sea Foam in the gas tank, but that's all I've done. Is this a carb repair/rebuild situation? Or could the fuel filter be clogged? Anything I could do myself? I'm only mildly mechanically savvy. Thanks for any suggestions and for your time! wayne Oakdale, MN

05-13-2008, 12:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
RIGHTE0US Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Central NY Posts: 348 OS: VISTA/XP PRO SP2/HOME/ME/LINUX	Re: Tecumsah 8hp leaks gas place a new seal at the top of the bowl for the carb. While you have the bowl off, be sure the needle for the float isnt sticking.

05-13-2008, 02:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
wayneclay Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3 OS: mac osX	Re: Tecumsah 8hp leaks gas Hi...Thanks for replying. Is there any trick to removing the bowl or is it pretty obvious in most cases? (it's pouring rain right now, or I'd go out and look it over)...is a new seal a readily available part? (sorry for the dumb questions)...lastly: for my own knowledge, why does it run for awhile before the bowl starts leaking? Thanks again for your time! wayne

05-14-2008, 09:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
BUDFAN8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 193 OS: XP	Re: Tecumsah 8hp leaks gas sounds like the needle valve is sticking and as rightoeus said making the bowl leak. you only need the right size wrench or socket to take the bowl off. bolt in the bottom of it and it should just drop off. while you have it off make sure the float is working properly up and down without it wanting to hang in spots. another thing to check is make sure there are no liquids in the float itsself. on the hinge side of the float pull the pin (be careful the needle valve may fall out when you pull the pin ) once you have the float out shake it and try to hear fluid inside it if there is it needs replaced. if the float has no fluid in it check the hol the needle valve is in to see if there is dirt or buildup in there clean if there is and put it all back togather using a new gasket for the bowl( can pick up new gasket at any small engine shop or some hardware stores). hope this helps Bud.

05-18-2008, 05:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
wayneclay Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3 OS: mac osX	Re: Tecumsah 8hp leaks gas thank you so much! I will give it a try!...the bolt holding the bowl also has a little screw with a spring on it?...it's all part of one another. I hope that won't mess that spring thing up, (whatever it is?)...thanks again folks!