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Followup To
Question -
I am trying to start a craftsman eagle push mower with a Tecums. eng. after sitting in storage for 1.5 yrs. It is about 5- 7 yrs old total, 4-4.5 hp. I had drained the gas back then. I added gas, fuel came out the carb, I guess the bowl was full. I have checked the plug, dirty though decent, removed the carb bowl, float seems to be working, sprayed the heck out of the carb linkage with carb cleaner, all those parts are free moving now. The primer bulb does not get hard as I thought it use to. It will start briefly, runs for 3-5 seconds and dies out. It won't start again until minutes later, again runs for 3-5 seconds and dies out. What else could it be or can I do to start it? Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Answer -
Hi Randy,
Try to start it while squirting fuel or starting fluid into the carb intake. If you can see the primer squirt fuel into the carb, you can use that. If it starts and you can keep it running, then the carb most likely has dirt, debris, gummed fuel or water inside. You will need to remove the carb, disassemble it, clean all the small internal openings and blow it out with compressed air. The float bowl should always be full but stop and not over flow or leak.
Let me know how you make out.
Michael
Thanks, Michael. I did that a weekend or so ago. I can't really see if the primer is working or not. I can hear the primer squirting faintly when manually pushing it. The primer button does not feel as firm after a few pushes as it did a couple of years ago. The more carb cleaner or starting fluid I used, it would run a few more seconds though not stay running. the carb is now clean as a whistle. It seems as though not enough gas is keeping to the carb. fuel line is good. So I am thinking primer is failing, or float or needle in float bowl is failing. what do you think?
AnswerHi Randy,
Check the primer bulb for any pinholes or tears in it. If its okay, then the problem is very common: The carb most likely has dirt, debris or gummed fuel. You will need to remove the carb, disassemble it, clean all the small internal openings and blow it out with compressed air. Even though it looks clean, each and every small opening must be open. Use a small wire to probe with. I have had to re-do a carb several times after missing just one opening. Adding a rebuild kit or even carb replacment is sometimes needed.
Keep me posted.
Michael
