How to Adjust the Carburetor on a Tecumseh Engine

Tecumseh brand engines one of the most popular small engines and are found in many different types of equipment. The carburetor is responsible for maintaining the proper air-fuel ratio in your engine. It is important that you adjust the carburetor correctly whenever necessary to keep your equipment running smoothly.

Things You Will Need:

• Screwdriver

1. Find the adjustment screw on your Tecumseh carburetor. It is located on the side of the main barrel of the carburetor. The exact location will depend on the type of equipment that you are working on.


2. Close the needle valve by turning the adjustment screw clockwise. Be sure that you do not overtighten the adjustment screw, as this can damage the needle valve.


3. Turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise for one-and-a-half rotations, and then turn the engine on. Allow the engine to run for at least 5 minutes.


4. With the engine still running, carefully and slowly turn the adjustment screw in a clockwise direction. Continue to turn the screw until the power in the engine lessens to the point where the engine is about to turn off. Do not turn the screw so far as to cause the engine to shut down. Note the approximate rotation of the screw that almost causes the engine to loose power. You can mark this on your engine using a pencil if desired.


5. With the engine still running, slowly and carefully begin to turn the screw in a counterclockwise direction. You will need to continue to turn the screw until the engine appears to have too much fuel running through it. The engine should start to struggle and appear to be ready to shut down. 


6. Turn the screw to its final position by turning it back in a clockwise direction and stopping at the midpoint between too little fuel and too much fuel. At this point, your engine should be running soundly.