Carburetors

If you need a new carburetor or a rebuild kit, please note that there is no such thing as a "standard" or "universal" replacement. Below are some tips for finding the proper numbers to look up the engine or carburetor.

With the proliferation of engines made overseas, we have seen more and more carburetors that do not have replacement parts. In such cases, your only option is to clean the carburetor as best as possible or simply replace it.

Four-Cycle Engines

Please refer to the engine's numbers, not the model of the equipment. There are a few exceptions to this rule, namely some MTD-made equipment produced in the last few years with MTD engines.

• The majority of Briggs & Stratton have the model, type and code numbers stamped into a metal surface, whether it's the blower housing on older engines or overhead valve covers on newer models. Most of the latest Briggs engines have a sticker on the side of the engine with a QR code that has to be scanned with your smart phone to identify the engine.


• Honda puts the engine's model series on a sticker, usually on the recoil or blower housing. The engine's variation and VIN, or serial number, is usually lightly etched or stamped into the side of the engine block.


• Kawasaki's engine model and specification are labeled as the "code," which is on a sticker on the side of the engine.


• Kohler places a sticker on the side of their engines with the model, specification and serial number.


• Some newer MTD-brand units (including Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, etc.) have MTD-made engines. These engines will typically have a tag on the engine, but the model number of the equipment usually is enough to look up the carburetor.


• Subaru engines have a sticker on the side of the engine with the model and specification number.


• Tecumseh engines have a sticker on the side of the engine with the model and specification number. If the Tecumseh engine is on an older Sears Craftsman unit, the sticker likely has a nine-digit model number that starts with 143.

Two-Cycle Engines

Most two-cycle engines on blowers, chainsaws, trimmers, etc., use carburetors made by another manufacturer. Even with the model number of the equipment, it is almost always necessary to remove the carburetor from the engine to identify the maker and relevant numbers.

• Walbro is one of the two major carburetor manufacturers in the lawn and garden industry. Walbro usually prints the model and variation on the side of the carburetor body.


• Zama is the other major carburetor maker in our industry. Stihl, for example, uses Zama carburetors on most of their equipment. The body type of a Zama carburetor is normally cast in the body of the carburetor. The model number is usually printed on the side of the carburetor.


• Newer MTD-brand blowers and trimmers (typically from their Troy-Bilt division) have MTD-made engines and carburetors. If the carburetor on your Troy-Bilt blower or trimmer is not made by Walbro or Zama, the Troy-Bilt model number should be sufficient to look up a replacement carburetor.