Log splitter engine won't start

[brin]

I have a stand alone log splitter I bought from Northern a few years ago and it was running fine last year but now has been sitting with 1/2 tank of gas for a year and will not start...fuel comes out of the fuel line to the carb. bowl when I took it off but when I take the needle valve out of the bottom of the carb bowl I get no fuel...at first I thought it was a clogged line but the lines are clear and fuel is flowing but is not getting into the bowl...any help appreciated.

 

[sal64]

hello sounds like there is dried up fuel in fuel ports. did u take carb off and blow out all ports? ive had same prob from time to time now i run gas out after season.

 

[brin]

Thanks sal, I'll see if I can get the carb off and try that...the lines are clear but the opening at the sediment bowl must be clogged since no fuel flows when I take the needle valve at the bottom of the bowl out..

 

[J_J]

Are you talking about the fuel needle seat that closes off the fuel with the float, or something in the bottom of the carb bowl? There is a jet in the bottom of the bowl, and the fuel shut off in the top of the carb.

 

[brin]

Are you talking about the fuel needle seat that closes off the fuel with the float, or something in the bottom of the carb bowl? There is a jet in the bottom of the bowl, and the fuel shut off in the top of the carb.

JJ, It is a tapered long screw, comes to a point, with a spring around it that screws into the bottom of the carb bowl. When I took that screw out no fuel flowed out, yet when I took the fuel line loose that goes into the side of the bowl the fuel was flowing freely so the fuel lines are clear , I just wanted to eliminate some possibilities before I started trying to take apart the carb, which is not one of my strong points..LOL...any thoughts ?

 

[oldmech]

Hi! The long tapered screw with spring is the main jet. no fuel is correct. Remove the bowl with float down fuel must flow a lot. The main jet must be adjusted screw at stop unscrew about two turns Good Luck! Oldmech

 

[J_J]

When you take the bowl off, fuel should start flowing. If it doesn't, the fuel needle valve that is operated by the float is stuck . You will have to free the needle plunger, and clean with carb cleaner. Spray into the the fuel inlet and through the needle valve side.

 

[brin]

Here is what I did to get it running...I emptied the gas tank completely, then I took the air cleaner off and squirted wd-40 ( a good amount in the carb ), I disconnected gas line and drained and ran wd-40 through it, I removed the spark plug and cleaned it with some sandpaper, put a cap full of gas into the cylinder head and replaced the plug, then filled the gas tank and added a little stp. I pulled the cord and it started on the first pull. It sure wouldn't start before all that...thanks JJ , sal and oldmech for the tips...that wd-40 is good stuff...that and duct tape. I couldn't figure out what to use duct tape for on this job..LOL