No start- not pulling fuel into head?

So I have a Tecumseh 17hp OHV (plastic bowl series 7 carb with fixed jets) vertical shaft that was running. I stopped for a moment and let sit at idle... it stalls (like running out of fuel) and no start.



The tank is freshly cleaned with new fuel lines, filter, and shutoff. Fresh gas.

There is fuel in the bowl and fuel continues to flow out when I remove anti-backfire solenoid.

New spark plug gapped to .030.

New air filter.


There is no fuel getting to the head, Plug is dry and no smell of gas. There seems to be plenty of compression turning by hand (it was recently running) and I removed the spark plug and cranked it over. There is compression and spark but no fuel in the head. After several carb cleanings and new o-rings, I replaced the carburetor with a known good carburetor and fuel shutoff solenoid... exact same symptoms. I even tested and replaced the known good solenoid again just to rule it out

So what might cause this? Stuck valve?

I'd check the carb again, I use throttle body cleaner (because it's gentler than carb & brake cleaner) with a short cut straw to spray through all passages and jets. Fine guitar string works well to manually clean ports and especially jets just make sure to sand/smooth the edges after cutting. So fuel will flow indefinitely from the fuel bowl? Can't just test for a few seconds, what I do is make sure my fuel tank is tip top full (less airspace) then let it flow into a 1 liter pop bottle, if you can fill that bottle and it doesn't slow down your flow from the tank is good. If it chokes out take the fuel cap off and see if it improves, if not a fuel filter (some have in tank fitting/filters) could be the culprit. If all that checks out the only other things I can think of is that the intake valve is stuck or sticking. Hope this helps and good luck, ive been there too! Lol

Spark? It needs to be there.

Thank you for your responses. There is spark at the spark plug but no fuel seems to be making its way into the head.

The tank is freshly cleaned and immaculate, and the fuel line and filter are brand new.

The carburetor was switched to a known good unit. I just put the known good carb back on its origional engine and it's running as I type this. So the carb is good.

I guess it's on to checking the valves. I adjusted them but maybe not tight enough

Leave the ohv cap off and see if the rocker is at least going up and down.  If so, I'd say the valve is ok.  No obstructions in the intake manifold?  No dirt dobbers got in there to make a home?

Bingo... rocker slipped. I reset the rocker arm and adjusted the lash

So a maiden voyage shot. The green machine in the back is the one that had valve trouble

Sooo much fun!

Great job, sometimes just a little troubleshooting to find an easy fix.

Right on! A cheap (or free) and easy fix are always a welcome thing! Wonder how it jumped ship in the first place though? Might be worth a quick investigation

Are those tecumseh ohv motors any good i usually wont even give em a chance my first rider had a tecumseh it gurgled oil had low compression barely started and smoked like a freight train prob a bad headgasket but i dont like ohv tecumseh engines only flatheads and cast iron ohvs. Also i had one on a rer craftsman once other then that i dont get them because i dont like em

So many thanks!
I had adjusted the valves already and must have forgotten to tighten up the intake side. The exhaust rocker was still secure, with proper gap.

As far as tecumseh ohv motors... I can't really give an opinion yet because I'm new to small engines. I hear that they're crap. So far my only experience in the last few months is an identical parts mower. I got it running and went out mowing the lawn while under test. The engine block literally crumbled, with the entire contents of oil spilling out. However, I have a cub cadet snowblower that has a horizontal tecumseh. That snowblower has started and performed for me for years without any maintenance (shame on me.) I'm the second owner ( first guy won it on 97 Rock radio) and this thing just keeps running. I plan to give it a proper tune up now that I know how.

Now I just have to figure out how to adjust engine RPM on these tecumseh. One of them is slower and you can tell the rpm is slower by just the sound of the engine

those horizontal flatties if the carb is good they are tanks but ive had a tecumseh push mower do well and one of those horizontal 10hps but the starter went out. i gave away one of those vertical tecumsehs the other day it was a pile of garbage

I have a 10hp Tec flathead original to my 1974 Bolens G10, smokes a bit and could use a rebuild after nearly 50 years of service but she still runs strong!

a loyal fan of Tecumseh flatheads here I have about 16 Tecumseh h series motors and i love em . my sears suburban in my profile pic has a Tecumseh 10 hp, in 2 gear low with the peerless 633 it can pull about 10,000 pounds, 275 feet (its a pulling tractor). I also have a marry widebody lt with a 13 hp enduro so far it is a good motor. anywho that's my opinion on Tecumseh's!

Wowee! Lol. Yup mines a HH100-115181D, not sure what rear diff though I haven't looked into it yet! Lol

i have two tecumseh big block side shaft motors two small block side shaft motors and one vert shaft push mower all tecumsehs and all good engines both big block motors the starters went bad around the same time

Wow, lots-o-luv for Tecumseh engines... I have an enduro 13 as well as these two enduro 17. Now the Roper RT-10 in my profile pic has a HH100 that's as old as me and can still mow a few acres. I'm happy to hear the luv for Tecumseh. I heard they cut a lot of corners and cheaped out on parts when going out of business. But that snowblower convinced me that they keep on running. Cool, let's see what happens

Maybe the newer but the old Tecs are solid!