Basic small engine problem - What fixed it?

[stuckmotor]

If you guys want to play, we'll see who answers the basic small engine question first.

Walk behind wouldn't start first time this spring. It had been under a tarp on a lift table since last run..
Pulled cord and got only one tiny pop
Put chainsaw mix of gas and oil into carb, got nothing
Squirted starting fluid into carb, got nothing
Put spark tester between wire and plug, got spark
The problem wasn't water in the gas. When I corrected it the mower started on the first pull
Why what made it start?

 

[kirkawilson]

Blocked air intake on carb/air filter?

 

[dodge man]

Bad spark plug.

 

[Richard]

mud dauber?

has to be fuel related, you need spark, compression and fuel. you presumably have compression, you confirmed spark so something is preventing fuel to go in




final answer!!

 

[stevem5215]

Since it ran last and probably had poor quality fuel still in it, I'd say a dump and fill with new gas and possibly some new fuel lines from the Ethanol/gas deterioration of them.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Mouse nest in muffler?

Kill switch shorted?

 

[stuckmotor]

Bad spark plug.

Bingo!

 

[stuckmotor]

Blocked air intake on carb/air filter?

Good try.

 

[stuckmotor]

mud dauber?

has to be fuel related, you need spark, compression and fuel. you presumably have compression, you confirmed spark so something is preventing fuel to go in




final answer!!

It was easier than that.

 

[stuckmotor]

Mouse nest in muffler?

Kill switch shorted?

Good guess.

 

[stuckmotor]

Mouse nest in muffler?

Kill switch shorted?

Good try.

 

[stuckmotor]

Since it ran last and probably had poor quality fuel still in it, I'd say a dump and fill with new gas and possibly some new fuel lines from the Ethanol/gas deterioration of them.

I told you the problem "wasn't in the gas". Pay attention!

 

[MossRoad]

Just curious why you put mixed gas in the carb VS just using the starting fluid?

 

[stuckmotor]

Just curious why you put mixed gas in the carb VS just using the starting fluid?

I was afraid straight gas would wash the oil off of the cylinder and I was out of starting fluid when I used the mixed gas.

 

[MossRoad]

I was afraid straight gas would wash the oil off of the cylinder.

So would stating fluid, so I've been told. Someone suggested carb cleaner instead. I've used that too.
And with just a squirt, you'd just get a pop. That would at least confirm you have spark.

Anyhow, troubleshooting is an art.

 

[stuckmotor]

Thanks for so many responses. In my non professional option they were all valid.

 

[dodge man]

It’s been several months back or maybe even years that someone was having small engine problems, a chainsaw as I recall. I posted something like “it’s probably not the problem but I’d stick a spark plug in it to make sure”. Of course this thread went on a while with solutions that didn’t fix it. I finally posted “did you ever put a spark plug in it?” You guessed it, spark plug fixed it. I’ve had one go bad exactly once in my 61 years of life but I also figure it probably needs one anyway when you start having problems.

 

[stuckmotor]

So would stating fluid, so I've been told. Someone suggested carb cleaner instead. I've used that too.
And with just a squirt, you'd just get a pop. That would at least confirm you have spark.

Anyhow, troubleshooting is an art.

I've read or heard all that about starting fluid. That's why I usually check the labels. Every can I can remember said it contained lubricant (for the upper cylinder, I think).

 

[caver]

this guy on youtube Mustie1 uses these little Zoom spout oil bottles for bottle feeding a carb in something that has a fuel delivery problem. I got one and they are handy for that.

 

[calfal]

just cause you see spark.. there is no spark..spark..and good spark aka new plug..