Got er Runnin!

[snagged in outlet 3]

I bought a 2 stroke snow blower at a garage sale a while back.  The lady said it ran when they last used it a couple years.  She wanted $40 and I said if you start it I'll pay you $40.  She grinned and said I'll throw in the gas can and not start it for $20 and I took it.  I like following the guys trying to fix stuff here on OA.  It's fascinating.  My parents owned a Schwinn Shop when I was young and I miss working on mechanical things so I bought it.  

I drained the gas, checked for spark and it had it, but I bought a new plug since the old one was oiled up.  I also got some engineered gas and some carb cleaner per @gotmuddy.   The primer bulb didn't seem to work since I couldn't see or hear anything when I pushed it.  I took off the shrouds, got the gas and spark plug in and had to hook back up the ignition switch since it was attached to the shroud.  I sprayed some carb cleaner in it and it started on the second pull.  SWEET!  The only problem is it dies if I turn off the choke.  That and the shrouds are really difficult to work with so I might leave then off and run it rat rod style.  

Any ideas on the choke issue.  Youtube says it could be the carb diaphragm.  Some on here recommended just replace the carb but it's $89.  Right now I have $27 in it.   
 

[Dutch]

16 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I bought a 2 stroke snow blower at a garage sale a while back.  The lady said it ran when they last used it a couple years.  She wanted $40 and I said if you start it I'll pay you $40.  She grinned and said I'll throw in the gas can and not start it for $20 and I took it.  I like following the guys trying to fix stuff here on OA.  It's fascinating.  My parents owned a Schwinn Shop when I was young and I miss working on mechanical things so I bought it.  

I drained the gas, checked for spark and it had it, but I bought a new plug since the old one was oiled up.  I also got some engineered gas and some carb cleaner per @gotmuddy.   The primer bulb didn't seem to work since I couldn't see or hear anything when I pushed it.  I took off the shrouds, got the gas and spark plug in and had to hook back up the ignition switch since it was attached to the shroud.  I sprayed some carb cleaner in it and it started on the second pull.  SWEET!  The only problem is it dies if I turn off the choke.  That and the shrouds are really difficult to work with so I might leave then off and run it rat rod style.  

Any ideas on the choke issue.  Youtube says it could be the carb diaphragm.  Some on here recommended just replace the carb but it's $89.  Right now I have $27 in it.   
 

 

[Dutch]

Not a clue.  That is why God made small engine mechanics.  Ask wrench he seems to know a lot about a lot.

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 minute ago, Dutch said:

Not a clue.  That is why God made small engine mechanics.  Ask wrench he seems to know a lot about a lot.

I know but it's fun to try and fix it.

[nomolites]

I’d take a look at your fuel line, sounds like you are sucking air.  Probably be a good thing to replace anyway.

Mike

[snagged in outlet 3]

If I hold my finger over the primer bulb line it will run on the second choke setting.  I’ll check the fuel line. 

[fishinwrench]

If it will run with the choke on....

but dies when you un-choke it, then the fuel metering jet is clogged up.  

Remove the air/fuel metering screw (needle valve) and give that hole a few strong blasts of carb cleaner, then reinstall the needle valve (screw it all the way in until it seats.....then back it off 1 1/2 turns).    Once you have it running and warmed up you can tweak that valve 1/4 - 1/2 turn to get the best idle.  

[Dutch]

2 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I know but it's fun to try and fix it.

Not me.  I bought a new wood splitter (some assembly required).  Several hours later it wouldn’t run.  Some dumb s… put the choke where the throttle goes and vice versa.

[fishinwrench]

32 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Not me.  I bought a new wood splitter (some assembly required).  Several hours later it wouldn’t run.  Some dumb s… put the choke where the throttle goes and vice versa.

Those flutter valve throttle contraptions on single cylinder Briggs, Tecumseh, ect. motors defy everything I know about small engines.    For the life of me I can't get a grasp on how and why that rediculousness works......but somehow it does.  

[Terrierman]

How on earth does an automatic choke on a Honda lawnmower engine know what to do when?  Beats me but it sure works good.