Not very satisfactory service from HF on a Predator engine

[3930dave]

Aside from the small engine repair shops, keep the powersports guys in mind.

Royal is a large regional distributor here. It was a while ago, but the last time I was in there, they had a large display of Chinese carb parts out on the showroom floor.

Motorcycle Parts and Accessories, Motocross Parts & Accessories, ATV Parts and Accessories, Snowmobile Parts and Accessories, Marine and Bicycle Apparel, Parts & Accessories Canada

Prices are usually better south of the 49'th, but if you're stuck, check with Royal.

Rgds, D.

 

[JRobyn]

Is that part # 76, page #19 ?

http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/69000-69999/69731.pdf

Yes it is. They don't sell it separately.

-Jay

 

[JRobyn]

Most likely the primer bulb has a split (usually from ethanol) ...you can get them at most repair shops...there are several different sizes so take the one you have with you to match it up...

usually if ethanol has been in the gas used...the fuel lines are in as bad as shape as the primer bulb so I would replace them at the same time...

Good Luck...

It has been ethanol-free its entire life. No cracks evident in the outer rubber surface, but I haven't had it apart yet to look for whatever failed.

- Jay

 

[445A]

Walboro makes carb primers for most small engine manufactures. Some are single output, one barbed tube, and some are pass thru that pump the fuel to and from via 2 usually barbed tubes. Either of these should work, but if you use the pump style make sure the side that pushes out is hooked to your existing tube. This primer system works by pressurizing the air in the float bowl forcing fuel up through the main jet and emulsion tube into the air horn just before the throttle plate creating a very rich fuel mixture, for cold starting. Any remote mount primer should work, no matter who makes it. Look at Echo, and Stihl for the Walboro stuff, and Toro made a 21" walk behind that used the same looking part, but I suspect that is no longer available as this was probably 20 years ago. Anything that puts a puff of air out should work, but don't let your neighbors catch you blowing your primer hose!:laughing: If you can't find anything, PM me and I'll ask my wife (parts person at a mower shop) to help. Good luck 445A

 

[JRobyn]

I got lucky. Removed the bulb assembly and the attached short hose to the carb fitting. Finger-sealed the bulb hole and puffed on the hose to confirm that there were no leaks/cracks in the hose or bulb. A squirt or two of carb cleaner down into the carb fitting and I could clearly see the cleaner coming out inside the carb bore. Put it all back together and it works fine. Evidently just a piece of trash in the carb fitting or internal passages. The extra pressure of the carb cleaner spray must have dislodged it.

- Jay

 

[ultrarunner]

Always good to have the follow up... sometimes it's the simple things.

A retired friend of mine had worked himself into a rage over his snow blower... was ready to drop it into the lake... had spend hours on it... said it never worked right after his brother in law used it.

Turns out the nephew had lost the gas cap and found something that fit... except it was not vented!

 

[445A]

JRobyn: Good job on diagnosing the problem. Out here in California, we have the California Air Resources Board, or CARB. They have seen to it that all engines emissions are compliant. This now includes very lean fuel mixtures, catalytic converters, and fuel vapor recovery. (Charcoal canisters) on all small engine equipment sold in this state. Echo and Stihl ,and all the rest, have been using cats for over 3 years and cans are being used on bigger walk behind/rider mowers. Kohler has a 24hp v twin that is fuel injected, and you can own one for about $2400. Complete with the computer and all sensors. Not sure if their $130 fuel pump comes with it. The up side is that we were able to get 4000 hrs. of fairly trouble free run time out of our mowers, with regular scheduled maintenance. I expect that when the state goes to tier 3 emission standards, all small engs. will be FI. The Honda mowers went up about $200 with the addition of the cat and closed system fuel tanks. Combine all this with the fact that our fuel is only good for 30 days before turning to a nasty green varnish goo in the equipment. One way around this problem it to buy the canned fuel at $7+ a quart. It will last a year in the can after opening. This beats buying a new carburetor every year for usually over $100 with labor. I hear the Feds are looking to adopt the CARB rules to the national level, and it will simply be called the ARB (Air Resources Board) Hopefully they will leave your fuel alone and not follow California's lead. It's so nice having the state take care of us all, with all their infinite wisdom.:laughing: Spark plugs, fuel filters and fuel caps are all covered by CARB fuel related components. Next time I go to HF I'm going to see what they say about that primer not being part of the fuel system. Maybe those engines won't be CARB compliant and HF will have to cease selling them here! All of this in the name of clean air and a healthier life. What do you want to pay for? 445A

 

[Katahdin]

I'm borrowing a friend's HF towable trencher, it has the 9hp Predator engine. I am very impressed with how easy it starts. I've dug almost 200 feet of trench with it, and last year used it to dig a hole for septic risers. Seems to be a good buy IMHO.