Hello,

New to the forum here and small engine illiterate. Hopefully someone can help me out.

I bought a basket case mini bike that has a 3.5 tecumseh with a float style carb. The motor is rather new but she didn't run when I got her. I figured the carb was dirty so I cleaned it, bolted her back on and nothing. I take another carb (diaphram style) off another motor, bolt it on the 3.5 and Vroom,Vroom! So off too the lawn center for a rebuild kit. Install the kit, pulling, pulling and pulling. Nothin. I put my thumb over the carb yank it and it started. So I bolt the air cleaner back on, close the choke, give it a yank and it started again idling very high. I turn the idle down then let it run for about 2 minutes start to open the choke and it wont stay running without the choke closed. Also if it helps any, when I tried to take off it didn't stall but was very sluggish. I'm ready to take the carb off and hit it into left field! :mad: Any ideas???

Erik

i am not sure about this one i did have a 6 1/2 hp tecumseh and never had any problems i would just check the jets and make sure the float boal floats and make sure the jet seals.

Your gonna have to soak it if it was badly gummed, in carb cleaner for a few hours. Then blow out all holes you can find with carb cleaner. Make sure to tear the carb down first though.

Just buy a refurbished one

Its pretty cheap to try and get the old one right.

Thanks for the reply guys. I messed with it again with no luck. I found someone selling a NOS tall choke style for $45. I'm going to go that route.

I had the same problem, I had a air leak at the throttle plate linkage. You can buy a replacement throttle plate shaft that will fix it. to test, get a can of brake cleaner and shoot some on the linkage while its running, it will speed up the engine and you will know its leaking there.

I bought a new carb and she is running but not top notch yet. When its cold it is a PITA to get it started. Once its warmed up it runs but is a little hesitant under load. Would this be signs of an air leak?

My son and I just restored this mini bike. It looks great but I would like for it to run great as well.

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL867/3161308/6439421/131923731.jpg

It could be, like he said, go around the carb gaskets spraying. As for starting hard, any adjustments to be made to the carb?

I'm going to pick up a new carb and intake gasket tomorrow. Hopefully that will help. I tried messing with the carb. The screw on the side I did like I've read here. Turn it all the way in snug, then back it out 1.5 turns. The main needle on the bottom of the bowl I've tinkered with as well. Turned it in till it wanted to stall, then turned it out till it wanted to stall and set it in between the two. He was riding it today. Once the rpms start to get up is when it starts to run sloppy. Sometimes I hear it pop a little as well. Any other thing I can try? I will mess with it tommorrow again and let you guys know my outcome. Thanks again.