Using starter fluid
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Using starter fluid KC 03-19-2008
Posted by KC on March 19, 2008, 11:35 pm
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 I've got an old leaf blower with a fair amount of use on it. It
always started easily until recently, but now will not start without a
squirt of starter fluid. Without the fluid, no amount of pulling the
rope will produce even a cough from it, but with a small squirt of
starter fluid it will start on the first pull and run fine.
What would cause this? My first thought was carb or compression, but
it runs fine once it starts. The fuel is from the same container I
use for my other 2 cycle engines and they all start fine.

KC

Posted by Stubby on March 20, 2008, 8:34 am
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 The gaskets in the carburetor have dried out. Get a rebuilding kit.

> I've got an old leaf blower with a fair amount of use on it. It
> always started easily until recently, but now will not start without a
> squirt of starter fluid. Without the fluid, no amount of pulling the
> rope will produce even a cough from it, but with a small squirt of
> starter fluid it will start on the first pull and run fine.
> What would cause this? My first thought was carb or compression, but
> it runs fine once it starts. The fuel is from the same container I
> use for my other 2 cycle engines and they all start fine.
>
> KC



Posted by Eggs Zachtly on March 20, 2008, 10:07 pm
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[Top-posting fixed]

Stubby said:

>> I've got an old leaf blower with a fair amount of use on it. It
>> always started easily until recently, but now will not start without a
>> squirt of starter fluid. Without the fluid, no amount of pulling the
>> rope will produce even a cough from it, but with a small squirt of
>> starter fluid it will start on the first pull and run fine.
>> What would cause this? My first thought was carb or compression, but
>> it runs fine once it starts. The fuel is from the same container I
>> use for my other 2 cycle engines and they all start fine.
>>
>> KC
>
> The gaskets in the carburetor have dried out. Get a rebuilding kit.
>

If that were the case, it wouldn't "run fine" after starting, now would,
it?

Unsubscribe, dumbass. You're as clooless as you've ever been.
--

Eggs

The speed of time is one second per second.

Posted by Stubby on March 21, 2008, 9:39 am
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When running, the throttle is controlled by the airflow hitting a control
vane. So when initially started there is no airflow and the throttle is
held wide open. Then it gets cut back to what should be the normal running
setting. But as the carb ages and dries out, the mechanism doesn't work
well won't support normal operation. A rebuilding kit contains new gaskets
and acceleration pump.


> [Top-posting fixed]
>
> Stubby said:
>
> >
> >> I've got an old leaf blower with a fair amount of use on it. It
> >> always started easily until recently, but now will not start without a
> >> squirt of starter fluid. Without the fluid, no amount of pulling the
> >> rope will produce even a cough from it, but with a small squirt of
> >> starter fluid it will start on the first pull and run fine.
> >> What would cause this? My first thought was carb or compression, but
> >> it runs fine once it starts. The fuel is from the same container I
> >> use for my other 2 cycle engines and they all start fine.
> >>
> >> KC
> >
> > The gaskets in the carburetor have dried out. Get a rebuilding kit.
> >
>
> If that were the case, it wouldn't "run fine" after starting, now would,
> it?
>
> Unsubscribe, dumbass. You're as clooless as you've ever been.
> --
>
> Eggs
>
> The speed of time is one second per second.



Posted by KC on March 21, 2008, 11:09 pm
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>
> The fuel in a cold engine is sticking to the cylinder walls due to
> condensation, making the mixture too lean for the engine to start. The
> choke system will add fuel to the engine to compensate for the fuel that i=
s
> stuck to the cylinder walls. Once the engine is warmed up, condensation is=

> not a problem, and the choke is not needed.
>

Thanks Eggs. Makes sense, but why would starter fluid not stick to
the walls also? It seems that when starter fluid is used the warmup
time is greatly reduced. Is that because it burns hotter?

>
> If the gaskets were worn enough to affect the fuel mixture that
> drastically, the carb would most likely show signs of leaking fuel (the OP=

> stated nothing about any leaks), especially at startup /and/ if they're
> *that* worn, the engine wouldn't "run fine" after it warmed up. Each pull
> of the throttle would suck in more air than needed. And the engine would
> again run too lean.
>
No leaks.

>
> Rebuilding the carb /may/ help. So would a new plug. But, not because of
> dried out gaskets. My guess would be a either a jetting or compression
> issue.
>
Compression was my first thought but then I talked myself out of it
because it runs good after it starts. But then again I can't tell the
difference between 150mph air from a new unit and 120mph air from a
worn unit, can I.

> It's an "older leaf blower with a fair amount of use to it". It's probably=

> time to break down and get a new one.
>
I tend to keep things until they just get to be too much trouble to
fix. Since this one runs ok after it starts, its not quite time to
dump it. Just a PITA to remember where I left the can of starter
fluid after I used it last.

KC

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