Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

i have an older 8hp briggs on a 78' toro. i changed the oil a few weeks ago with 5w30 syn and i filled up to the cap as per manual.  i was running the blower the other day and it stalled and woun't start up.  i opened the oil fill cap and oil started to gush out as if it was under pressure.  oil seemed fine, possibly a hint of gasoline smell but not too diluted.  it has an older flo jet carb if that makes any difference. after letting some out, it restarted no problem. appreciate any help to fix.  thanks rob

Seabird-

Sounds like the float  needle/seat on the carb is not shutting off the fuel flow when the bowl is filled and  fuel is overflowing into the crank case. Does the tank have a shut off valve? If so make sure to close it to stop the fuel flow. You also need to drain the oil out completely as it is fuel contaminated and isn't doing that engine any good.

The problem with the carb can be anything from a porous float to a gunked up needle/ seat or a worn out needle and seat. Sounds like a candidate for a carb rebuild with a full kit including the float.

Marc

hi marc, thanks for your reply. given the position of my carb relative to the crank would the gas stll flow up into it? my carb does leak if i don't shut off the gas...it drips from the bottom of the bowl.  appreciate your help. rob

Be carefull taking that carb apart. There is a Emulisfier (spelling?)  jet screwed in the bowl under the neelde in the left of the photo.  If you don't get it out before you take the bowl apart it can be bent or sheared off..  Look at a breakdown and get an idea of how to take it apart before you start..

Friiy

Are you sure the oil is full of fuel?...   the carb would have to fill past the intake of the motor to fill the crank case...   I think fuel would leak out the throttle shaft or the tap / stud on the bottom of the carb... 

Good Luck,

Friiy

seabird wrote:

Rob- Friiy is right. I don't see how the fuel could get that "high" up in such volume to contaminate the oil/ raise the volume of the oil. The gasoline smell in the oil could come from worn rings/valves/guides but the over fill condition escapes me unless you accidently over filled it.

Is there any signs of fuel in the air stack?

Marc

thanks for the input guys and no there is no fuel in the air stack.  a member from the other forum suggested to clean out the breather which i did but it looked pretty clean.  anyway, i changed the oil and will keep an eye on it.  it's strange b/c i don't think you can overfill the crankcase with oil b/c you fill to the top of the oil filler cap...which i did.  it starts up fine and seems to be ok now so i'll keep my fingers crossed.