Primer bulb for Briggs & Stratton. How it works and why the right bulb is key!

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

First time viewers and new follower please dont be shy to comment. Off topic questions are always welcome. Maybe you want to see how to install something or you have a click clack noise that has nothing to do with throttle adjustment. Ask here because someone else will or my learn something. Sometimes you see a tip or method that will apply to your DIY fix. Thanks to all the Guys and Gals that follow this channel. Zombie Dave

[@johnfisher8751]

thank you as I am now much smarter as I didn't have much to begin with:) Very helpful.

[@Gusto9876]

I literally spent hours trying to understand out how the bulb with the hole in it worked so I could trouble shoot it. Thanks for making it so clear.

[@pollyhorlander7389]

I couldn’t figure out how that thing worked! Now I know! THANK YOU?

[@luckydog-287]

A little late in posting here, but, WHAT A GREAT VIDEO !!! You are so correct... I learned it here! Thank you!

[@paulncvic]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Recently, I replaced the Briggs & Stratton carburetor on my Briggs & Stratton mower because it would start hard when the engine was warm. After putting in the new one it starts very very hard when the engine is cold, and I neglected to realize that in the carburetor kit, there were three different primer balls, or bulbs rather. And I also didn’t notice that there was already a gasket on here so I put on another gasket and I think that the primer area is clogged anyways so thank you so much.

[@paulncvic]

I have to add to my own own post. I thought I was all set but then I was still having a problem with the mower starting. So I pulled off the air filter again. I tried spraying air through the hole and I could see how the fuel sprayed into the chamber.. So I ended up doubling up the gasket because I don’t know if the holes and the new carburetor were deep enough to accommodate the screws which would’ve caused a gap. not deep enough in the new carburetor, but there was probably enough of a gap where it wasn’t allowing the air pressure to go through so after doubling up the gasket and really tightening it it works again. I’m so glad I found this KZbin channel. sorry my words are a bit garbled, but I’m dictating this.

[@tolifetolife1872]

Out of all the video's I have watched on primer bulb issues, Dave educated me very well. I actually order a new primer bulb on line but after watching this video, I went out and cleaned out that brass tube with a wire and then, not having a compressor, I used canned air and blew it out. After cleaning it all up, I put it all back together and finally, the gas came out and mower started on the first pull.

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

You da man!

[@racyfreeman317]

Excellent video explaining how the primer bulb work...

[@blackjack98enterprises]

Ha. . . . . Ha. . . HAAAA. . . . . not. . . I put in the wrong bulb and wondered why it wasn't running. Your explanation made it clear. Frik. Thank you

[@romanm9862]

Finally , an informative video, great job and many thanks .

[@nrviking]

Good stuff! My bulb stopped working recently. I couldn’t find any cracks in it or anything but bought a new one anyway...without a hole because I didn’t realize there was a difference. I also noticed that the gasket was worn badly so I bought a new one as well. I replaced both and I’m still not getting any gas from the primer. I will put the old bulb back on (with the hole) and hope for the best!

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

Some guys double up the gasket. Make sure you are getting gas to the bowl and that the jets are clear. It should start on the first pull.

[@nrviking]

ulitepilot aka Zombie Dave I did double the gasket. Put the bulb with the hole back on. I can hear the air but it still isn’t priming any gas.

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

@@nrviking carefully remove the nut on bottow of the bowl (13mm or 1/2 inch) if fuel does not drain out then the float is most likely stuck closed. If fuel does come out then most likely the main jet is clogged. Thats your starting point.

[@nrviking]

ulitepilot aka Zombie Dave Thanks, I will check it out!

[@nrviking]

ulitepilot aka Zombie Dave By the way, it starts right up with a shot of starting fluid and runs beautifully. It just won’t prime. Still check the main jet?

[@mrodriguez5259]

Magnific 👌

[@stevemorton7141]

Finally an answer to why the primer bulb needs a hole in it for this type of system. I do have a question. At time 1:52 you show the plastic primer bulb housing. What does the metal plate do that sort of covers the entrance into the carburetor?

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

Really good question Steve. Notice that it starts in front of the PCV inlet. (positive crankcase ventilation) It continues up to the inlet of the carburetor from the outside air. Without that metal plate eventually the oil vapors from the crankcase would soak that paper filter and reduce it's efficiency. So hope hopefully I have not confused you too much. It's part of the pollution control to get the engine to ingest the oil vapors from the engine and burn them instead of releasing them into the air. Thanks for watching.

[@stevemorton7141]

@@ZombieDaveAZ No confusion. With the filter in place it makes sense. Thanks for the response!

[@haileselassie5735]

Good job

[@brucecampbell6186]

Thanks for the video. It helped understand the prime system. My lawnmower was leaking fuel, it would start but I couldn’t keep fuel in it. I believe I miss diagnosed the problem, thinking it was leaking around the primer bulb. Now I need to investigate better I guess, where the actual leak is. Any suggestions?

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

Hey Bruce. I would need more info since I can't see it. Bowl gasket mis aligned? Dry rotted? Small gasket under the bowl for the main jet? Float not sealing proper and gas coming out carb vent? Too many possibles my brother with our more info.

[@brucecampbell6186]

@@ZombieDaveAZ Thank you.

[@philliphall5198]

Good information and advice AllWAYS match parts Put boxing tape over the channel area and then gasket

[@jacekp1374]

I just got this mower from a friend. He said it did not run. I was eager to try and fix it anyway because my old new lawn mower got stolen. I thought a new plug, oil, and gas, and air filter, would do the trick. I did all that and I could not even get it to start. I looked online and followed some instructions on how to clean the carb. I cleaned the thing out and replaced the gasket, and a few other parts, I can't remember the name of. I also cleaned out the bolt at the bottom of the carb, per the instructions. After all this, I was able to get it to start. It seems to start just fine after I prime it. It cuts my grass like a champ. It cuts better then any other mower I have had. Unfortunately, it only runs if I prime it. Even if it has been running for awhile, I have to prime it. Also, it usually takes at least two hard pulls to get it going. If you guys and gals can give me some idea how to get this thing to run without having to prime it every single time that would be great!

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

You got a make and model Jerry? That would be helpful. Sounds like a newer briggs or tecumseh.

[@TheCrittercam001]

More good info ZD...! I think the backing plate for the air filter on one of mine is warped...it's just not drawing any fuel into the carb. I may try the 2 gasket method and see if that helps. Otherwise a new backing plate should do the trick.

[@philliphall5198]

Use boxing tape to cover bottom of channel and then a new gasket

[@gotman4409]

it's still a goofy system ,but I understand a lot better how and why it works. That and the way the carburator is made makes it an easy system to service.

[@whitelightning3263]

I had to put gasket cement on the gasket to seal the air passageway in order to get it to work.

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

I've also had followers tell me that they doubled up on the gasket. Warpage in the plastic over time? Thanks for commenting.

[@yzx6391]

I tried to replace carburetor along with new gasket and O-ring which is located between engine and carburetor, but it did not start. I had to use old gasket and o-ring and it worked fine. The new o-ring is a little loose, that means that it is not fully sealed between engine and carburetor. I am curious what would happen if it was used. Thanks!

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

If the air leak is past the carb and before the engine is will cause a lean condition. Too much air and not enough fuel. I hope that helps you.

[@yzx6391]

ulitepilot aka Zombie Dave that helps. Thank you very much.

[@mrsemifixit]

How do the other primer bulbs work without the hole in them?

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

There is a check valve in the carburetor. When you push in on the bulb it shoots gas down the intake manifold towards the engine. When the the bulb is going back to its resting position it draws gas from the tank and waits for you to push/prime again. I hope that helps. Please subscribe and follow my channel for tips and tricks.

[@WV591]

some of these will kick you ass. I have one, I changed 3 carburetors and 3 primer bulbs. and that primer bulb gasket and no problem with gas tank or gas line and carb gets gas but no gas going into engine when you press primer bulb.

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

Briggs or Tecumseh?

[@WV591]

@@ZombieDaveAZ Briggs, I have never ever spent so much time trying to fix a mower gas issue. even rebuilding engine is only couple of hours.but this few weeks now. engine runs fine once it gets gas but nothing works.

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

@@WV591 carb on top of tank or bowl type carb?

[@WV591]

@@ZombieDaveAZ carb on side uses primer bulb with hole. I think i figured out the problem. thx to cheap Chinese carbs, side Air hole not aligning with air hole in the gasket.

[@WV591]

The problem is even if you pay 35 for an Original Briggs carb, you still get fake Chinese carbs.

[@danielmierop662]

Thank you

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

Happy to help Daniel. Stay safe. 👍🍺

[@pollyhorlander7389]

Oooooooohhhhhh! !!

[@Nozinbonsai]

I thought some bulbs push fuel and some suck, but it was air. so there you go!

[@ZombieDaveAZ]

Here is another little tastey treat for you guys kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4jIpWZomtGIhKs