Electric Start Doesn't Work

[Filipe]

So....I uhh, did the unthinkable.

On my way home from church, I passed by Autozone. I shelled out a whopping 2.22 and bought a new spark plug. She started up on the first try after that. Let her sit for an hour or so, tried again. It didn't work, but that's because I had the kill switch on "off". Flipped it to on, and there she was purring.

Now on to the brakes. I'll start a new thread for that.

 

[OzFab]

I shelled out a whopping 2.22 and bought a new spark plug. She started up on the first try after that. Let her sit for an hour or so, tried again. It didn't work, but that's because I had the kill switch on "off". Flipped it to on, and there she was purring.

Now leave it overnight & see how it goes tomorrow. If that fixes you're problem completely, I for one will be amazed...

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Now leave it overnight & see how it goes tomorrow. If that fixes you're problem completely, I for one will be amazed...

Yeah- You and me both, Tony. That'd be an unheard of, first for me...

 

[Filipe]

Probably the first and last time I will say this, butttt:

I hope you're both wrong!

LOL

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Probably the first and last time I will say this, butttt:

I hope you're both wrong!

LOL

For the sake of your sanity, me too. But I do have my doubts. What'd the old plug look like?

 

[OzFab]

Probably the first and last time I will say this, butttt:

I hope you're both wrong!

LOL

For the sake of your sanity, me too. But I do have my doubts.

Ditto

 

[Filipe]

The spot where the actual spark happens was all black, as well as the area that holds the tip. I'm suspecting the fuel is getting there OK. Before, when it wouldn't start I'd pull the chord a few times and pull the plug out. It was always wet.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Okay- stupid question time. Did you at any point clean and/or re-gap the plug?

 

[Filipe]

No question is ever stupid. You're talking to a noob here, remember?!?! lol

Nope. I posted about the plug this morning, shut my computer, grabbed the plug thinking I might be able to snatch a new one for supper cheap and went to church. Was out an about, saw a Autozone, had them match me with a champion plug and the rest is history. I last ran it at 3pm today. When do you guys want me to try again? Tmrw afternoon?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Whenever you like! Really- the only way I can see this being the case is if your old plug was seriously screwed up- fouled to death, very worn... I dunno...

 

[OzFab]

From your earlier descriptions, I would think tomorrow arvo will be good

 

[Filipe]

arvo? lol
ill post a pic of the old plug in a few.

 

[OzFab]

arvo? lol

That's Australian for afternoon

 

[Filipe]

ahhh.

 

[Filipe]

didn't start....

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Fuelling issue confirmed. Even the old plug looks rather lean.

 

[Filipe]

what do you mean by lean? and how should I go about attacking this fueling issue?

i have all original manuals if that helps.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I'd start with a good and thorough carb cleaning. Without going back and checking, I think I already mentioned it.

A "lean" condition is when there is not enough fuel in the air/fuel mixture. The visible result is that white insulator tip on the spark plug. Should be tan brown. If it were black, it would suggest a rich condition, meaning too much fuel.

In this particular case, I think your main jet may have a partial blockage. A cold engine requires a rich mixture to start and it may not be getting it. This would explain why the engine will start when warm, but not cold.

 

[Filipe]

so, take apart the carb, correct? if i post pictures, can you guys point me in the right direction as to what my "main jet" is?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Scroll back up several posts. I posted a link to a complete description including labelled pictures!