Ouch! Predator 212 extreme kickback

[Mr. Spindle]

I think I broke my arm, I probably didn't, but it hurts! I am laying on the couch with an icepack on my arm. Yesterday I started my Predator easily after adding 30 weight oil and fuel stabilized gas, but today I almost passed out from a quick, sweet, and strong kickback. Help! It's cold outside, does that effect the kickback? It snowed last night but the rain washed it away. My arm is needing help. What do I do? And can I do it with one arm!? Do I beg my parents or grandparents for an elect. Start unit?


Wait, Spindles?

 

[Poboy kartman]

Well, I could tell you...but you're the great pre small engine mechanic, so I'll give you a chance to DIY first on the engine.

As far as the arm...take a bowling ball and drop it on your left foot, you'll forget all about that arm.

 

[Bbqjoe]

You might just have to put on a few pounds, or wait until you get a little bigger.
You didn't open the engine and mess with it did you?

 

[Mr. Spindle]

You might just have to put on a few pounds, or wait until you get a little bigger.
You didn't open the engine and mess with it did you?

No, I can't with one arm


Wait, Spindles?

 

[Randy H]

If you don't see bone sticking out you should be fine. These engines usually start with minimum effort. Is it possible you are pulling on it with such determination, the engine is turning over so quickly, that the compression release function isn't working.

 

[Hellion]

...My predator kicked back real hard this morning...

Here's an arcane question: Do you really know how to start a single cylinder, recoil-start engine (or specifically a Predator 212cc)?

Just turn on the fuel, turn on the choke and pull the cord vigorously until it starts, right?

Wrong. A few caveats first:

☞ The engine could possibly have a bent or sheared flywheel key. This typically causes kickback, enough to hurt your wrist significantly.

☞ The recoil assembly could be defective, engaging too soon or not releasing properly, yanking the cord out of your hand while you're still grasping it firmly (ouch!).

Anyway, the common wisdom is to pull the starter cord slowly until you feel resistance (the compression stroke), pause there then wind up and give it a sharp pull--pulling it through one and more complete firing sequences.

Kickback is caused by spark, gas ignition, and burning well before top-dead-center (BTDC) piston position. If it were after TDC (ATDC), the engine would start, idle or run normally.

More to come...

 

[Poboy kartman]

What he^ said.

 

[Mr. Spindle]

I know how to start a predator. This is the second one I've owned. I will check the key, if there's nothing wrong, I'll ask for an electric start unit for Christmas...


Wait, Spindles?

 

[Poboy kartman]

There is no electric start unit for a 212 Predator.

 

[Mr. Spindle]

[UPDATE] I checked the key, it was all good, now it's either electric start or dad to start every time. I'll get a video in a minute, I'll upload it from diy though- I don't trust Vimeo. As for disassembling and assembling when I checked the key, I used my trusty Riobi torque (spark) drill.


Wait, Spindles?

There is no electric start unit for a 212 Predator.

Good point, but there is one for the gx200


Wait, Spindles?

 

[Hellion]

I prefer hand tools almost exclusively as they give better 'feel' than power tools. Now if I was disassembling engines all day or trying and failing to remove something stuck hard and fast, then by all means I'd have a power screw driver (drill, air ratchet, etc.).

In other words, don't get too used to them as they can cause you to cross-thread or otherwise mangle your fasteners (screws) and you don't want that.

 

[Mr. Spindle]

Dad started the engine and i let it run at varying speeds, then after 30 minutes? I grounded the low oil and it quit. I guess it's fine now.


Wait, Spindles?

 

[Hellion]

You might just have to put on a few pounds, or wait until you get a little bigger.

A little of this might help...

 

[Mr. Spindle]

A little of this might help...

Lol, I can't do that remember? I think i fractured my arm! Prolly didn't, maybe though. And YES IT STILL HURTS!

[QUESTION] how does the 212 get power? Does it have a charge coil? Just curios if I need a charge coil with my elect. Start or not.


Wait, Spindles?

 

[Hellion]

It just has a magneto, bud. That's how it generates the spark.

I thought we told you (or the forum--you should be reading a lot) that long ago? It's discussed almost weekly. There's an active thread right now about adding lights, asking how-to and does the 212cc have a charging coil.

Answer is NO.

Lol, I can't do that remember? I think i fractured my arm! Prolly didn't, maybe though. And YES IT STILL HURTS!

Maybe karting and small engines just isn't your game?

Judging by your little accident here, your injuries and so forth, you should get out of this hobby while you still have your health!

 

[Randy H]

Many moons ago, some mowers were equipped with a crank that wound up a spring. When released it cranked the engine over. I remember my mom liked the one one we had. She weighed about 105lbs. That's about 47.6 kg. Anyways she could start it easy.

I think they quit making that setup because people would forget it was wound up. Then while inspecting the deck for grass buildup they would accidentally trigger the starter mechanism and chop there face off. Pretty gruesome stuff.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Many moons ago, some mowers were equipped with a crank that wound up a spring. When released it cranked the engine over. I remember my mom liked the one one we had. She weighed about 105lbs. That's about 47.6 kg. Anyways she could start it easy.

I think they quit making that setup because people would forget it was wound up. Then while inspecting the deck for grass buildup they would accidentally trigger the starter mechanism and chop there face off. Pretty gruesome stuff.

Had one of those. They were awesome.

 

[Kartorbust]

Probably just pulled a muscle or tendon in the arm a bit. Give it a rest for a few days and it should be fine. To get electric start would be difficult. An option would be to use like a drill or something with enough torque to spin it over, rather than modifying the whole engine for a flywheel with a gear on it and needing a starter. You'd be ahead buying an engine with electric start.

It's too bad no one makes a A/C 120 volt electric start kit for these... They have them for snowblowers.

 

[Rail rider]

Had one of those. They were awesome.

I had a toro with that set up.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Probably just pulled a muscle or tendon in the arm a bit. Give it a rest for a few days and it should be fine. To get electric start would be difficult. An option would be to use like a drill or something with enough torque to spin it over, rather than modifying the whole engine for a flywheel with a gear on it and needing a starter. You'd be ahead buying an engine with electric start.

It's too bad no one makes a A/C 120 volt electric start kit for these... They have them for snowblowers.

They do.