The tiller for the garden wont start, its got spark, getting fuel, choke is on, throttle is set to "Start" and compression is good, from what we can tell...
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It turns over fine, nice and strong, it sounds like it wants to start, but doesnt... Anybody have something we can try?

Thanks in advance....

 

I've worked on basically that type of engine before. Have you opened the valve spring box? I know on the engine I looked at, it would turn over and maybe turn once or twice before dying. I found out that the valve wasn't set on the spring that would cause it to close again, so it couldn't achieve compression.

 

how old is the gas?

 

was gas left sitting in the lines and carb for a while? that's what happened to my weed trimmer and I wound up throwing it out.

 

You could try draining the gas and putting in new gas...

Your prior attempts may have flooded it... I usually just pull the air cleaner, and let 'em air out for awhile.

I'm going to have to try and fire up my old mower and tractor later today (If I don't get distracted by other projects, like repairing the old mower deck).

 

We siphened (spelling?) the old gas out as best we could, its possible that there is still gas in the line from last year? How can we get the rest of it out now?

 

I bet your carb is clogged. Get some carb cleaner and spray it in there. Wait a while and repeat. Also, get a new spark plug and gap it.

 

I would replace the plug, clean the filter, and use new gas. In the event you may have flooded it, just keep cranking. Turning the engine over a bunch of times usually gets the gas out of the cylinder and into the exahust. Oh, and turn off the choke while you are doing it.

If all else fails, remove the air cleaner and plug, and let it sit for a few hours to allow the gas to evaporate a bit.

Beyond that, to the shop unless you know how to rebuild small engines.

 

had one that used to have the same problem, the motor would seem fine but it would not start, i found that a little starter fluid in the carb would get it going and then it would run just fine.

 

Got every last drop of old gas out of the tank, cleaned everything up, bought a new plug, gapped it, shot some Qwik Start in it, started up on the first pull, runs like a champ now...

Thanks for the tips

 

those small engines are bulletproof!

 

Yeah, new plug always helps... Getting the suckers to fire up for the first time in the season is always the toughest...

Next year, throw some STA-BIL® in the gas

 

Absolutely... Some kind of storage additive would help alot...

Did you get around to your mowers? Did they fire up?

 

Very true... I think its the simplicity that keeps them running. If it doesnt start, theres not many things that can cause MAJOR problems...

 

Nah, still patching the mower deck. I'll fire 'em up next weekend. I definitely will need to cut the grass by then.

 

Change the oil and filter as well. Use a 10w-30 grade oil.

You'd be surprised how frequently this is neglected on small engines.

btw, I was checking my maint records the other day...my lawnmower gets more frequent oil changes than the cars. :freak:

 

^ @ Michael and his oil.

 

One of my employees has an old Craftsman lawn mower that was handed down to him. The original owner (his aunt) had it for 15 years, and he's had it for 5.

They have NEVER changed the oil in it (yes - in 20 years), and he says it starts on the first pull every time. He says he checks the oil and adds it when it's low, but he never plans on changing it.

 

At the same time...mine still has the original air filter and plug after 8 years!

Carb was replaced after 3 yrs under warranty...

And no, I don't know why the oil is changed that often. When my dad took care of it, it was done once-a-year, I just happened to do it twice as often.

Speaking of which, May is when its due for an oil change. I think I'm going outside now to fire up the lawnmower...

 

They don't make 'em like they used to :killer:

My 19 y/o craftman:

 

Tractor, push mower and weed wacker all started up fine... But I did put stabil in the gas last fall...

Don't know about the chainsaw or JD tractor tho' (haven't used 'em yet).