Tecumseh engine leaking gas in storage

20 years ago

This afternoon I ran a Tomahawk chipper I bought this summer and put it in the garage for the night with just a little gas still in the tank. I kept smelling gas and thought I must have some on me, but I eventually changed clothes and realized the smell must be coming from the garage (under the bedroom). Sure enough, I went out and there was a wet circle on the floor under the chipper and I could see gas slowly dripping from the air filter. I took off the air filter and could see gas seeping out of the carb.

There is no shutoff on the tank or the fuel line, so I can only imagine that something must be bad for it to be leaking gas like this. Is this a common thing with some engines? Does anyone have any ideas as to what sort of problem might cause this?

I am sure if I add an in-line shutoff that will be the end of this problem, but I thought I would ask here first for ideas on what might be going on.

Hmm... now that I think about it, could this just be a clogged vent on the gas cap? I opened the cap and it didn't seem like there was any pressure. In fact, it seemed like the leak sped up a bit.

Greg

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Comments (5)

baymee
20 years ago
Either the float is not closing the gas inlet needle or maybe the primer bulb is bad.
delcogreg
Original Author
20 years ago
Well, there is no primer bulb so I guess that leaves the inlet needle. I am waiting for a call back to sell this chipper, so the timing is really not good. I guess it would be bad to just put a shutoff on the fuel line (especially if I sell it), but I hate to go mucking with the carb when it seems to be running fine now. If I open it up and check the float, how will I know it is bad? Will I be able to shake it and hear/feel fuel in it? Should I just go ahead and order one with the rebuild kit? Obviously this isn't the sort of thing I usually get into, but I think I should be able to handle it if I have to do it.

You may recall I bought the Mighty Mac chipper near you from Dave. I wasn't going to buy this chipper, but I was buying a bunch of stuff from a guy who was moving to Florida and he made me a deal I couldn't refuse. This one came with a tow kit for the tractor and I was thinking that it might be easier to deal with that than mounting the Mighty Mac on the tractor (which is not easy if you don't have someone around to help you). I finally decided that I really didn't want another engine to maintain and the might mac has more power anyway, so I posted an ad for the Tomahawk. Of course now it seems I was right about maintaining another engine. I don't know though, I may have to reconsider the mighty mac if I get personally 'invested' in this chipper.

Greg
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baymee
20 years ago
Greg, you have jogged my memory. I wanted to get that chipper from Dave for my Wheelhorse, but he sold it to you and I never heard back again. Since I had a need, I bought a Might Mac, at a mighty price, about 2 months ago.

I wouldn't doubt the carb has varnish in it. If you remove the bowl, you should be able to shoot carb cleaner on the float hinge and needle. However, if there is varnish there, it is probably also in the jets, which is more difficult to fix. You'll have to remove the Welch plug in the idle circuit and clean the main jet, if it's a Tecumseh carb. None of the is hard if you've done it before.
jww65
18 years ago
I have inherited an old ? Gardenway Tiller (Gardenway TH1019 stamped on one handle). It has a Tecumseh engine with a horizontal engine pull start in the front and a keyed electric start (12v) as well. It has two transmission levers (Foreard-Neutral-Reverse) and (Slow-Neutral-Fast). It has large (15 to 18") tractor tread wheels and a large hood over the rear mounted tines) It has been painted, and I cannot find any model or serial numbers anywhere on the engine. It cranks and runs, but leaks a great deal of gas constantly. The tank is in the front and the carburetor is mounted on the right (looking from the rear)by two Phillips head recessed, machine threaded bolts. There is spring linkage back to the magneto and a circular float bowl underneath with a needle screw in the center. (The needle and its seat have been damaged which is probably the problem, and a circular (4" to 5") metal air filter terminates the carburetor assembly. I'd like to determine what Tecumseh engine this is in order to purchase a new carburetor, and I'd like to find a manual if possible. Anyone with any help would be appreciated. It is a heavy, powerful tiller, and I'd like to repair and keep it working. JWW
davefr
18 years ago
JWW,
All Tecumseh engines have the model number, spec number and date code on the engine shroud.

Here's a link to the Technicians handbook for most Tecumseh engines:
http://www.cpdonline.com/692509.pdf

If you need detailed parts diagrams and part numbers enter the model number/spec number here:
www.partstree.com