Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Sears/Poulan Blower, plastic squeeze bottle, engine crankcase

Question
QUESTION: Hi Eric, I am having a big issue with a 25 CC craftsman blower that is about a year and a half old.  Last month it stopped running.  I took it apart and found the cylinder head loose.  I tightened the bolts and put it back together.  It gave out one whine and quickly cut out.  When I took it apart again, I discovered that I had crushed the cylinder/crankcase gasket and it was now torn.  I ordered a new gasket and installed.  Tightened everything up and it still will not start.  The cylinder looks good and I tested the compression.  It is about 110 Psi.  I have a spark.  What could possibly be wrong with this thing?

Joe

ANSWER: Will it start if you use some fuel/oil mix to prime the carburetor?  I have a small plastic squeeze bottle that I keep fuel/oil mix in so I can squirt just a little directly into the carb.  If the engine starts I know the compression is probably good and the ignition system is working properly.

It is possible there is an air leak or the carb pulse hole is not working.  Have you removed the carb?  You will notice a small hole on the engine side of the carburetor.  This hold uses the vacuum pulses from the engine crankcase to activate the carb fuel pump. Inspect the carb insulator gaskets between the engine and carburetor to make sure the channel/ports are lined up.

Let me know if any of this helps.
Eric

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Eric, I have put fuel and starting ether in the cylinder and it doesn't even sputter.  I can feel a slight kick once and a while but it is very slight.  I put a new plug in it last night and took the engine apart down to the ignition to see if there was some damage that might be affecting the timing and everything looks pristine.  With the plug removed and grounded while pulling the cord, you get a steady, nice spark.  My only thought is the carb.  I have a full gasket set and have replaced the one that addresses that hole.  The hole looks clear but today I was going to soak the carb and see what happens.  This is crazy.  It would seem to me that if putting fuel in the cylinder doesn't stsrt the engine, then it has to ignition right?

Answer
With a little fuel in the cylinder and you have spark then compression is the most likely problem.  Most other brand 2 stroke products require about 125 psi to run but I have had Craftsmans run on 70 psi.

Is you fuel less than 30 days old?  Did you check to flywheel key just to be sure the igntion timing is correct?  

Let me know.
Eric