Briggs And Stratton Leaking Gas Out Of Air Filter? (Fix It Now!)

Your trusted and reliable Briggs and Stratton engine is showing signs of trouble. You have noticed gas leaking around the air filter. You begin to wonder if it is time to replace that old engine with a new one.

Gas leaking around the air filter on a Briggs and Stratton engine is often a sign that the carburetor needs work or that the fuel shutoff valve is not closing properly. The carburetor’s problems can include issues with the float, the needle valves, or a bad float bowl seal.

You can remedy most of these issues with a local parts store trip and a little time. Let’s look at some of the most common problems that cause gas leaking around the carburetor or air filter. The fix for most of these problems takes a few simple steps.

The gasoline in your Briggs and Stratton engine is highly flammable. All it takes is a spark to get a good fire going in a hurry. Taking a moment to keep yourself safe is always a good way to start any project.

Before you do anything else, unplug the wire from the spark plug. It is unlikely that the engine will start without a sharp tug on the starter rope, but some electric start can kick over without warning.

You should always work on gas-powered equipment in a well-ventilated area. The fumes from the gasoline are dangerous. If gasoline vapor concentration in the air gets to a certain point, almost any spark or flame will ignite the vapor.

You are mowing along, and the lawnmower begins to bog down and then dies. The mower is obviously choked with grass clippings. The natural tendency is to tip the mower on its side and clear the blockage.

When you tip the mower on its side, gasoline can flow from the carburetor into the air filter. You have saturated the air filter on your Briggs and Stratton engine with gasoline. The liquid gasoline leaks out of the air filter housing and prevents your mower from starting.

It is never a good idea to tilt any Briggs and Stratton powered equipment on its side. You can spill grass and if the engine is hot, start a fire. The oil in the engine can run back up into the cylinder and foul the spark plugs.

The easiest fix for this problem is don’t tilt the mower. If you forget and find yourself with a Briggs and Stratton engine with a saturated air filter, you two choices. You can wait for the air filter to dry or replace the air filter and restart the engine

Emptying the fuel tank can be tricky. The safest way to empty the gas tank on a Briggs and Stratton engine is to start the engine and let it run. The gasoline will eventually be exhausted, and you will have a relatively dry gas tank.

Trying to drain the gas tank into another container can be dangerous. You aren’t saving anything. Once you pour the gasoline into an open container, don’t put the gasoline back into your Briggs and Stratton engine. It may be contaminated and do more damage to your Briggs and Stratton engine.

The float inside the carburetor bowl on your Briggs and Stratton engine can stick. A stuck float usually happens after the engine has been in storage. Gasoline left in the carburetor for long can cause a gummy residue.

This gummy residue can clog the ports and openings inside the carburetor. The needle valve may also stick, almost as glued to the needle valve seat.

If you suspect that the leak from your carburetor has a problem with the float or float bowl, you should consult with a trained Briggs and Stratton repair technician. Many new Briggs and Stratton carburetors require special tools to repair.

A little preventive maintenance will keep your Briggs and Stratton engine running for many years. Making sure the carburetor is clean is a major concern. Never leave gas in the carburetor for more than a few weeks. When storing your mower, run the engine until you burn all the gas out of the carburetor.

I hope that this article has given you some help in diagnosing and repairing your Briggs and Stratton engine leaking around the air cleaner. Be careful and work safely.