bumped a key/????? Bought a new one 10 months ago. Now 14.5 hours on it. Only used NON alcohol gas with 1 oz per gallon of "SEA FOAM" ran every 30 days and started on first pull. Always warmed 5 min before any load, and then very light load for first few splits, on my log splitter. Sat, after the 30 days, it did start, but ran very rough, then only on full choke, split 4 very small limbs, it quit. No attempt to even try. As it left the piston 18" out of the cylinder, I removed the air filter, using an eye dropper added some gas, and it ran about 5 to 7 seconds, but long enough to retract the piston. I have NOT had time to check to see if there is gas in the carb bowl, but this is exactly what the first engine did. IF there is gas in the bowl, but it does try to start when dribbling direct into air intake, what on earth can be wrong. TWO motors, exhibit the same symptom, what am I missing?
#2
ILENGINE
Dribbling gas into the intake and starting or attempting to start normally means not getting fuel from the carb. But you mentioned a new carb. So either there is something blocking the fuel jet in the carb, which could also include a jet in the bowl nut. Something else to try is change the spark plug. I haven't had any experience with the HF engines, but have seen similar issues on Honda engines that would start and die, or start and run a short period of time until the plug got hot and then would quit.
#3
Scrubcadet10
are you sure you have the fuel shut off on the carburetor open?
the top grey lever is the choke, the one below it is the fuel shut off, push it to the right.
#4
Scrubcadet10
You would be surprised how many people over look this, or just don't look at the little sticker that tells them which way to push it.
#5
ILENGINE
@Scrubcadet10 Worked on a small generator last year that the sticker instructions for the fuel shutoff were backwards.
Kind of funny when the carb has off stamped to the left which is correct and on to the right stamped into the metal part of the carb, but the sticker above the fuel shutoff has on to the left and off to the right.
are you sure you have the fuel shut off on the carburetor open?
the top grey lever is the choke, the one below it is the fuel shut off, push it to the right.
Absolutely yes, As I mentioned I used the first engine for over 3 years, and the 2nd one for 14 hours over 10 months. Ignition ON, fuel ON, choke ON regular start routine. THANKS, I had not heard of the sticker being backwards. I also unscrew the bolt on the bottom of the carb bowl just enough to see gas come out, to double check. THANKs
#9
Scrubcadet10
try unhooking the vent from the fuel tank and to be sure the tank is venting properly (Air cant get in, fuel cant go out) Or loosen the gas cap.
I have that engine on my log splitter, its great and I love it. Mine would start and die, I left gas in it from the year before so I drained every hole I could drain and put in new gas, same thing, so removed carb and cleaned , same thing, tested with propane, same thing , So I was going to change every part starting with cheapest first. Spark plug was first and fixed it . it was the one that came in it but low hours.
Simplicity at the extreme. When you LOOK in the gas tank you can see gas, so ok, keep looking. After covering all I could think of , and what has been suggested, with the carb bowl OFF I pressed my face to the gas tank opening and blew. AIR and a bit of gas came from the inlet to the bowl. A flashlight and look inside the tank showed gas BUT NOT UP TO THE FILTERED FIXTURE that under the tank, goes to the carb. THE DARN THING WAS JUST OUT OF GAS. There is a horizontal very fine filter on that fitting to filter the gas. So you could SEE gas, but not enough to cover the intake. WHAT A LESSON. This was on the NEW motor, I have not had a chance to see if its what was wrong with the 3 year old motor.