OK, it’s not technically homebuilding but it is a powertool question…my leafblower suddenly won’t start. Here’s what happened:
– was running just fine then ran out of gas (oil/gas mixture.)
– filled it up with oil/gas mixture; put the cap back on tank.
– while I was putting my gas container away, the leafblower tipped over on its side…the gas cap side of the blower was pointing into the ground.
– it now won’t start.
At first I thought the engine had gotten flooded while it was tipped over. I couldn’t have had it in that position for more than 10 minutes (I got distracted with something else in the shed.) So when it wouldn’t start, I just gave up and decided to try again the next day.
Next day, won’t start again. I’ve confirmed that the gas filter/line is sucking in gas. The new spark plug is gapped correctly and getting a spark.
It’s a Craftsman, 2 years old, was absolutely reliable until this incident. I use it twice a week in the spring/summer for about 10 minutes each time to clear the sidewalk of lawn clippings. It gets used about 3 times each fall for the leaves. Never once had a problem.
Any ideas?
Replies
Pull the plug, give it a shot of starting fluid (ether). If that don't work ,then you got a real problem!
How do I give it a shot of starting fluid? Do I put a few drops into the plug receptacle? Or do I dip the plug into the fluid?Is this fluid something I can buy at Home Depot or Sears...or do I need to go to a special hardware store for it?
Auto parts store or wallyworld.
Starting fluid.
It's an aerosol spray can with the plastic straw like a wd40 can has.
One short blast into the sparkplug hole. Insert and tighten plug without waiting around and then start it.
A person with no sense of humor about themselves is fullashid
Edited 7/3/2005 11:59 pm ET by razzman
Have you got fuel coming out the exhaust?
IF so, it is flooded..dry the plug off and try the ether.
If not..you are dry lined ( air in the fuel supply)
leave it on start ( full choke) and flood it by triggering it.
as you yank it.
if that dont work..you need a chip or a coil to get more spark to the plug. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Iffin ya cain't spell it, don't eat it
What Rez said!
Buck ninitynine @ the Bag & Save, they sell the stuff everwhere here!
flip the switch to ON. Not joking, I got a weedeater for free cuz the owner couldnt start it.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Iffin ya cain't spell it, don't eat it
HA! Been there myself that way once. Had the whole thing apart before I realized how dumb I am!!!
)G(..me too Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Iffin ya cain't spell it, don't eat it
Holy smoke those replies came fast.Already tried a new plug. I also thought it was a sudden case of a bad plug. Also have the choke and throttle in the right position. Been there myself with the switch in the 'off' position...but that was on my weed wacker. When the throttle is in the full speed position and the choke is in the full choke (vs "run"), it sounds like it will start. That's when I would move the choke to the 1/2 way mark and it would start up. Now it just keeps trying to turn over but never does.
Thang,
Sometimes, if a engine gets flooded real badly, the spark plug will get "washed" with fuel and nothing other than replacing the plug will fix the problem. A plug is cheap, give it a try.
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
Pull the plug, leave it out, and crank the unit several times to blow out any excess gas.
But before you do this, make sure the plug body is grounded, as leaving the plug wire "floating" can damage the magneto.
While the plug is out, observe that there is definitely spark at the plug when you crank it.
If it's still not firing, I'd suspect that it's not getting gas. There may be a tip-over shutoff valve in the unit that has gotten stuck closed, or something like a carb float valve that is stuck. (May even be a gas cutoff lever that got twisted.)
Did you say the gas cap hit the ground ? Wash the cap to make sure it vents (gas going into the machine must be displaced by an equal volume of air, and that air comes in through a vent in the gas cap).
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
I do believe you could be onto something, there, mon vieux....
It's also possible either the float needle or the float in the carb got jammed in the closed position when it was upside down like that. Maybe whack it with a medium small whacker... (as in 'tap the carb bowl a few times with a screwdriver handle')?
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
Get a rake, broom and large scoop.
Leafblowers are a curse. Your better off without one.
I really don't think they are any faster than a rake or broom. I did my lot in about the same time as my neighbor. Of course he also curses when the storm sewers overflow. Oblivious to the fact his wastes, blown into the street and curbs, are a good deal of the problem.
Second, if your like most Americans, no insult intended, you could use the exercise. And that blower isn't doing your, or your neighbors, any favors in the breathing or hearing departments. But who knows you may be the one out of a thousand that wear a respirator and ear muffs.
Of course landscaping using a blower raises a lot of dust and pollen. Which means your going to have to fight both again, and again. It's like living next to a dirt road. With asthma, allergies and bronchitis thrown in for luck.
A friend I used to work with makes good money doing lawn care on the side. He stopped using blowers. He claimed a lot of commercial customers enjoyed the quiet. It has helped him get and keep customers even though he charges more than other folks.
who said he was gonna blow leaves....
shop clwaning time...
Amen, brother!!
your muffler might have fuel in it ! no kidding !!!!
Also the air cleaner could have fuel or oil in it.
there too? His is probably two stroke I also had a bad needle valve in the carb one time, that thing wouldn't start for #### ,"
I haven't worked with any of the newer two-strokes. I'm sure they're a lot different from the ones of 20-30 years ago. I would guess that a unit like this has some sort of tip-over protection, and probably some features added to control emissions.
So many replies...thanks for all the info. I'll have to try the starter fluid.Also:
- It didn't get dropped or knocked over hard. It kind of just rolled on its side...kinda like a fat baby would. But I will give the throttle and choke levers a slight tap. - I didn't notice any gas coming out of the exhaust but I'll doublecheck.- I was wondering if there was air in line. The "bubble" primer is usually filled with gas after a few pumps of it. It doesn't get that way anymore. - Regarding the rake, it's impossible to rake up the lawn clippings. They're too short. I'd have to sweep with a broom...which is my last resort. Ah yes...nothing like firing up the blower to sweep out the garage. I've done that a few times. I'm not really sure if it worked or not. It sure did make a huge mess of the place while I was doing it. Floor was dust free...nothing else was. I now use my compressor or the shop vac in reverse.It's a 2-stroke (oil/gas mixture) Craftsman. What's this with the air filter? I'm not very good with engines...I can "hack" the carpentry and home repair...was never good with cars or engines.
Make sure the gas lines are submerged and not broken. My leaf blower gas line disolved in the tank and had to be replaced. The lines can move around and there are probably 2 in the tank. The filter end can move around so that it is at the bottom of the tank however the engine is oriented-normally. When it rolled over it could have got stuck where it is above the fuel.
This is not recommended, but sometimes I beat my equipment against a tree, or kick it, throw it to the ground, beat it with a big stick etc and leave it lay a while. OCCASIONALLY it will work when cool off.
Just kidding...
"OCCASIONALLY it will work when cool off."The machine or you?Read the U.S. Constitution here
ME
If it has an air filter, remove the filter and make sure it's clean and not soaked with gas/oil. If a paper filter gets oily it will no longer let enough air through.But if the primer bulb doesn't seem to work right then I'd suspect something wrong in the fuel line and related parts.
My first guess would be bad gas - how old is it? I've been down that road several tiimes. Some of the newer 2 cycle oil products have gas stabililizer built in it - sitll the gas has a shelf life. Matt
I'm with 4LORN1.
My rake always starts. Ruth DobsevageTaunton New Media
Check if the carburetor seems loose. It is mounted on a composite (plastic) block (manifold?) with the chintziest screws imaginable. Both the block and the screws will need replacement. Good luck.
good excuse to toss it!!!
nieghbors will thank you.
Witty tagline...
Also, if your dead set of starting the damned thing, check the priming bulb for leaks. Typically the mold mark in the center develops a pinhole that breaks the vacuum that allows the engine to draw in gas. Trick is to prime and start it with a thumb tightly over the priming bulb. You can also smear a bit of Vaseline or thick grease on the bulb.
If it starts and runs with the grease in place you have found the problem. On most of these units the bulb it easy to replace. Usually just two screws. Most better lawn equipment shops have the bulbs for sale. Cost you about $6.
Then again you can get a really nice broom, rake and scoop for about $40.
Same thing happened to me. The Husqvarna has been reliable for years. Not one issue.
However I was using it to dry my Jeep and i had to get on mini scaffle to dry the hood....I sort of tilted the backpack to get a better angle and the engine started to die like it ran out of gas.
Wouldn't run again.....just put fresh gas in.
It ran for a few seconds once or twice but for the most part it wont start.
EDIT: cleaned the spark plug and away she went. vroom vroom.....