How do I Adjust the Idle Speed of a 14.5 HP Briggs & Stratton Model 287707 Motor?
- 1). Start the engine. Place the throttle control (which is typically labeled with a turtle on one end and a hair on the other) in the "slow" position. Allow the engine to warm up for five minutes before continuing.
- 2). Clip the black cable of a hand-held tachometer to any unpainted metal area of the engine. Clip the red cable to the spark plug. It is not necessary to disconnect or remove the spark plug; the tachometer is sensitive enough to detect the electrical field fluctuation around the plug. An rpm reading will appear on the screen.
- 3). Rotate the throttle lever located on top of the carburetor until it hits the idle speed screw. Using a flat-head screwdriver, adjust the idle speed screw until the tachometer reads 1750 rpm. Rotate the idle mixture valve as far as it will go clockwise, then back counterclockwise, then leave it set it in the middle of its travel. Check the idle speed again and reset to 1750 rpm if it has changed.
- 4). Push the throttle to the "fast" setting and listen to the engine. It should accelerate in a smooth fashion. If not, turn the idle mixture valve counterclockwise a 1/8 turn.