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Hi I have a Craftsman chipper vac model number 987.799601. I went to start it and it just smoked for about 5 seconds then sputtered out. Now it wont start. I was just using it yesterday with no issues. Any help?

Start by checking the oil level, if it is high smell it. If it smells like gas you will have to rebuild the carb. If the oil level is good, pull the spark plug, after trying to start, to see if it is wet. Let us know what you find.

Ok thanks for the advice. I will check it tomorrow and let you know.

I just checked it. The oil is fine. The spark plug was a little wet after like 4 pulls.

Try a new plug first, or at least clean the old one. See if you get spark with it. If you don't with either plug, the coil could have died on you...

L8R,
Matt

To me that rules out a problem at this time with the carb. I am assuming that you have fresh gas in the tank?? Have you checked for a good spark, sorry I have to ask.

If we have good fuel and spark, we'll have to start over, as I doubt there is a compression problem. Remember I am not there, please tell me everything you have done.

Yes I have fresh gas in the tank. I tried cleaning the carb with wd-40 and it did not work. I am going to buy a new plug tomorrow and try that. I will keep in touch. Thanks for all the advice.

WD-40 is not a good cleaner, you need to get something stronger to dissolve the gum ing the carb.

Ok I saw some Briggs and Stratton Carb cleaner at a place I go. Should I use that instead?

Any regular carb & choke cleaner will work. You can find it on sale quite often at parts stores for something like 2/$4 or 2/$5. WD40 will leave a film on the carb parts. But carb & choke cleaner will dry clean, leaving no residue or film. About all I'd use WD40 on a mower would be the cables.

L8R,
Matt

Alright thanks I will have to pick some up.

Hey I changed the plug but no fire, What next?

Have you checked to see if have a good spark yet? I didn't see in any posts earlier that you checked. If you do have good spark, then the next couple of things to check would be compression and the flywheel key. If you don't have spark with the new plug, then it's probably time to look at a new coil.

L8R,
Matt

Yea its getting spark but it wont start.

If you're getting both fuel and spark, pop off the nut to the flywheel and make sure the key didn't get sheared...

I will check it today and I will let you know. Thanks.

Did you ever find the problem? Just wondering what it was...

L8R,
Matt

Yea it has safety wires to were if the bag is not on it wont start. I always had the bag on but the connection came loose. Idiot Me. lol

Hey, no worries. At least it wasn't something major or costly.

L8R,
Matt

ea I know tell me about it.