I need some help from you guys where it gets really cold.

[jekjr]

Have a Shindiawa back pack blower and an Echo back pack blower. They both run great and do a good job when it is warm. This morning it was 32 degrees and I could not get either to start.

What do you guys up north do to get your hand held equipment to start when it is cold?

 

[reynoldston]

Use starting fluid.

 

[mowerman05]

I just choke the stihl equipment to start when cold

 

[jekjr]

Use starting fluid.

Will starting fluid cause other problems?

 

[Carscw]

Will starting fluid cause other problems?

You can use carb cleaner if you want.

I have been lucky with my Husqavana blower. Starts second pull with no choke
Even today in the 20s

 

[Parkmower]

I go thru the normal starring procedure.
3-6 primer pumps
Full choke and pull til pops
Turn off choke
Full throttle pull starts by 2-3 pull
As long as it has been used in last few days it's no problem starting. Sitting a week or two then gets a little stubborn.
We usually start and run everything at the shop before heading out to avoid problems in the field.

 

[exotion]

A few extra primes and choke until start it was 5 degrees today

 

[Carscw]

A few extra primes and choke until start it was 5 degrees today

There is no way I am going out of the house if it gets 5 degrees here.

It's 45 right now. We out riding mud mowers and go carts.

 

[bt3]

One of my homes is in a cold zone. I only start a snow thrower It starts on choke. If needed, I can use starting fluid sprayed into the carb.

 

[reynoldston]

Starting fluid got a bad name in the earlier years because it washed out the lubricant from the cylinder walls which caused problems. They have since put a additive in starting fluid to prevent that. If you get a good brain name it doesn't hurt a thing but help start your equipment. All you should need is a small spray pass the air cleaner. I sure would use starting fluid over carburetor cleaner because then you are washing out the lubricant from the cylinder walls.