everything I own is broken :-(

[procadman]

I work away from home the majority of the time.
Therefore, when I'm home, everything needs work.
Also my absence causes all of my tools to need work more often than most.

1) I have a Craftsman (Poulan) chainsaw that starts and runs for about 30 seconds then shuts off.
Newly mixed gas and spark plug.
Carb appears to be clean.

2) Craftsman Weed Wacker. After a layup, not running at all.
Swapped out the plug, fuel lines and filter.
Decided to order a new carb due to their low cost (<$25).
It has not arrived yet.

3) Honda Monsoon 5hp pressure washer.
Last used about 6 months ago.
Runs for 10-20 seconds and shuts off.
Fresh gas and spark plug is almost new.
Checked and cleaned carb float.
Will check "(un)loader valve" as suggested in another post.

Any help would be appreciated.
I'll keep you posted.

 

[jallyn]

Probably carb cleaning and adjustment. I usually get a can of carb cleaner and a compressed air gun. Take carb completely apart and spray out every jet and valve with carb cleaner and compressed air, or replace carb as you are already in the process of doing.

Using fuel stabilizer in the gas helps. If not going to run a small engine for the next 60 days then drain the gas from tank and run gas completely out of the carb to make sure it does not get gummed up again.

 

[lbhsbz]

All my 2 stroke (except my Echo chainsaw) stuff went in the trash a few months ago because I was in the same boat...every time I want to use it, I have to spend an hour fixing it. It got to the point were I was keeping spare carbs in stock. The "gasoline" was causing corrosion in the carbs to the point where they're simply not able to be cleaned.

I replaced it with battery powered....it's so much more convenient.

I have no idea why my chainsaw seems unaffected...It had 3 year old fuel in it and fired up on the second pull last weekend. Other stuff sits for a month and it's done.

My larger 4 stroke engines seem to be OK.

If you plan on keeping the gas powered stuff, consider buying the pre-packaged fuel (Stihl and others sell it)...it has a shelf life of a few years and doesn't corrode things all to hell. It's expensive, but worth it.

 

[bcradio]

This will help you significantly:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244666

As said above

 

[ovrrdrive]

Drain all the gas out of them when you're finished using them and then pull the cord 3 or 4 times to burn the rest of the gas out and you most likely won't have an issue in the future. this new gas is hard on small carbs.

All of them sound like clogged pilot jets or air jets to me. It's from the e10 gas we get now. Sometimes you can drop the bowl and unscrew the jet under there and just clean it out. Sometimes if they are bad you can use a fine piece of wire to clean it out (yes I know but it works and I've done it 20 or 30 times).

I've also heard good things about buying the canned gas from places like Lowes because it doesn't have the ethyl in it. The stuff should be outlawed.

 

[crewchief888]

I've had a nearly 10 year battle with POS riding mowers.
Yes they were both freebies, seems like the past couple years. It's been a royal PITA I was spending more time "fixing " than I was cutting grass
I'd been looking at new mowers, but me being the tightwad I am, I kept walking away....
Got home one day back in the spring. And the wife tells me she needs for me to look at something in the garage.
She did what I wouldn't and bought a new mower and had it delivered!!
A neighbor came over after he saw the new mower, and asked if he could "steal" some parts off the old one...
Hell yea, you can have the whole thing!!!
It's his problem now, and it's taking up space in front of his garage now....

 

[Rick B.]

Add a little Sea Foam in your gas from now on. I only use my pressure washer about three times a year. With the Sea Foam in the gas it starts right up every time.

https://seafoamsales.com/small-engines/

 

[p_mori7]

*Always* use Sta-Bil and ethanol free gas (usually mid-grade or premium grade) for small engines that see storage time in-between uses.

All my stored gas has Sta-Bil added, 1oz per 5gal.

Everything starts 1st or 2nd pull.

 

[Codejack]

My ~2014 craftsman blower went out this spring, and I just got around to breaking it down.

Cleaned the carb, cleaned the valved through the intake and exhaust, new spark plug, still won't start.

My 35-year-old Snapper and Craftsman mowers still run like champs

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I replaced it with battery powered....it's so much more convenient.

If Milwaukee ever adds an M18 chainsaw, I'll definitely switch to cordless. I'd get that and the string trimmer. Maybe the hedge trimmer.

 

[jeeper46]

Just use Trufuel in everything-that will solve your problems with bad gas. It may be expensive, but at least whatever yard tool i want to use starts right up with no drama.

 

[fatfillup]

Pressure washer problem is not unloader unless the motor only stalls when you shut off the trigger

 

[Robby321]

Got the perfect song for "Everything is broken"

 

[CJM8515]

Just dont bother with crapmen aka poulon yard equipment. Its cheap junk for a reason. my dad kept buying cheap blowers as they would die every few years from his abuse, lack of using good mixed fuel and lack of maintenance. Finally made him buy a redmax and what do you know-no more issues.

Everything I own works fine, BUT I only buy pro grade equipment. I also use 93 octane and synthetic 2 stroke oil and I run them totally out of gas when not in season.

 

[tym]

Drain all the gas out of them when you're finished using them and then pull the cord 3 or 4 times to burn the rest of the gas out and you most likely won't have an issue in the future. this new gas is hard on small carbs.

My father chooses not to do this despite being reminded otherwise. Not surprisingly, his small engine equipment craps out regularly. LOL.

 

[royesses]

Canned fuel mix is sold at local Ace hardware stores. It is expensive. $6-$7 a quart. In Oklahoma we have a choice between 100% gasoline and 10% gasahol. I never use the gasahol in anything. Always add Stabil to my fuel. Prep for storage as required by the manufacturer. Rarely have problems.

Roy

 

[lbhsbz]

If Milwaukee ever adds an M18 chainsaw, I'll definitely switch to cordless. I'd get that and the string trimmer. Maybe the hedge trimmer.

DeWalt has 2 chainsaws

...and they're releasing a lawnmower at the end of the year...which is on my christmas list. As soon as they have an edger or some sort of roller attachment for the trimmer, my life will be complete and only the truck and boat will require gas

 

[JazzBlueRT]

My ~2014 craftsman blower went out this spring, and I just got around to breaking it down.

Cleaned the carb, cleaned the valved through the intake and exhaust, new spark plug, still won't start.

My 35-year-old Snapper and Craftsman mowers still run like champs

Gotta replace the carb on those 2 cycles when they get gummed up.

 

[PeterT]

Sell it all on Craigslist and buy new

 

[finn]

Fired up my late mother's almost unused lawn mower, which has sat for a year with gas, probably 87 octane, in the tank.

Started on the third pull, so I figured I'd mow the edges of the lawn

Ran great, until I ran out of gas. Since the can was almost empty, I took the five gallon can (my wife fills her mower with it) to town and filled it with 91 o lane ethanol free premium.

Mower started almost immediately with the fresh fuel but wouldn't stay running. I fiddled with it, drained the bowl, etc, but decided I had higher priorities than wasting the day fiddling with a mower, so I brought it to the dealer.

Picked it up three days later. Verdict: water in the fuel.

I think the only people who buy premium around here are the snowmobilers, and they went away five months ago.

 

[gregpack]

Btw, has anyone tried the product called "mechanic in a bottle"? I was on another forum and a couple guys swear by it.

 

[jeeper46]

Where do you get TrueFuel?

I generally buy it in gallon cans at Lowes

 

[Barnabas]

If Milwaukee ever adds an M18 chainsaw, I'll definitely switch to cordless. I'd get that and the string trimmer. Maybe the hedge trimmer.

All of my indoor power tools are M18, but for outdoor yard tools, I have gone with the 80V Kobalt series from Lowes. The 18" chainsaw is a joy to use compared with all of my gas powered chain saws that now refuse to start. The string trimmer is great too.

The 80V Kobalt and the 80V Greenworks are probably made by the same company, look like they are the same, but the batteries are not compatible across brands.

Here is a good review of both chain saws.

https://batterychainsawsreviews.com/greenworks-cordless-chainsaw/kobalt-vs-greenworks-80v-chainsaw/

 

[earthmover1980]

Well I will rant. You are having these problems due to ethanol fuel. It actually attracts water. Corrodes fuel systems, rots lines and diaphrams. Then you have the ultra lean condition from the factory to meet carb emissions. Small engines are so lean from the factory they won't rev up without a stumble. Some won't even run with the choke off. Do these guys from the California Air Research Board even try to use this power equipment? Solution: a nice set of carburetor adjustment screwdrivers with the tamper proof ends. I picked up a set on Amazon for $20 bucks and have enriched 4 weedeaters into normal operation status. They saved the day. All most of this newer two stroke stuff needs is richened up a bit to smooth out. Works for me. Besides, take a stand against these over educated idiots deciding where they want your carburetor jets set.

 

[hangfirew8]

Been there. Had all these problems. All my new OPE would run great for one season, then be nothing but trouble the following year.

Solved them all by doing three things:
1. Buy e-free gas for all small motors. (TruFuel would work too)
2. Run them out of gas before storing.
3. Buy higher quality OPE, with adjustable carbs.

Now, life is good.

 

[kctyphoon]

Let me make your life easy.. instead of rebuild kits and aggravation, every one of those carbs can be replaced with a brand new one, for $15 to $25 from the manufacturer of the engine. They will come with all new parts, and tuned out of the box.. the cost of brand new carbs is about twice what the rebuild kits would cost, and they are not expensive. Don't waste your time. Remove 2 bolts, replace the carbs with new ones, and everything will run like new again.

Even Honda and Briggs carbs can be bought new for $25 or so.

 

[procadman]

The tips were appreciated, some more than others.

I used to stabilize the fuel but health conditions and needing to work when work is available has curtailed much of my normal habits and abilities.
I wasn't aware there was decent fuel available that would last more than a month or 2.

My original post requested suggestions to remedy the issues I am having with my present equipment;
Suggesting I buy something else is only helpful when the person making the suggestion has experience with a "reasonably priced" replacement. We all can't afford top of the line. I don't run a landscaping outfit. I rarely buy pro grade and only when I can justify the cost and have the coin to purchase it.

Again thanks for the worthwhile suggestions...but...if you need to post a reply just to hear yourself talk, please do everyone a favor and post elsewhere.

Or, if I'm posting on the wrong site, let me know. I will post elsewhere.

 

[procadman]

Yes, I had read similar advice elsewhere and already bought a carb for the weed wacker.
Unfortunately, the (reputable) company where it was purchased had the wrong part listed for my equipment. So I had to return it for credit and order the correct one
which came this evening and I should be able to install it Saturday.

I'll check on replacement carbs for the other equipment but I will be surprised if that is the issue. I have never had a carb cause the short running issues.
But, there's a first time for everything.

(The big issue is all of my equipment is needed right now. Besides my own house needing lots of work, I am cleaning up a house I had rented to my daughter. I am forced to quickly get the work done and put it on the market. If I get a new contract I'll be on the road again, but will, possibly, be able to pay to have it done. Otherwise i have to DYI.)

 

[procadman]

Well I will rant. You are having these problems due to ethanol fuel. It actually attracts water. Corrodes fuel systems, rots lines and diaphrams. Then you have the ultra lean condition from the factory to meet carb emissions. Small engines are so lean from the factory they won't rev up without a stumble. Some won't even run with the choke off. Do these guys from the California Air Research Board even try to use this power equipment? Solution: a nice set of carburetor adjustment screwdrivers with the tamper proof ends. I picked up a set on Amazon for $20 bucks and have enriched 4 weedeaters into normal operation status. They saved the day. All most of this newer two stroke stuff needs is richened up a bit to smooth out. Works for me. Besides, take a stand against these over educated idiots deciding where they want your carburetor jets set.

I have a bit set with nearly every imaginable variation, including tamper proof.

As a rule everything doesn't happen at once, but I tend to have 2 things go wrong at the same time.

Yes, ethanol has ruined lots of equipment from weed wackers to older vehicles who still run carbs.

I had a Ranger that had sat for a couple of years and the fuel pump/sending unit assembly quit. When I pulled it out of the full plastic gas tank it was heavily corroded. Not oxidized, but corroded similar to aluminum.

Again, thanks for the tip.

 

[procadman]

Btw, has anyone tried the product called "mechanic in a bottle"? I was on another forum and a couple guys swear by it.

I have used it in high-mileage cars and trucks but cannot decide if it's doing anything worthwhile yet. I do have fellow mechanics that swear by it though.

 

[procadman]

Fired up my late mother's almost unused lawn mower, which has sat for a year with gas, probably 87 octane, in the tank.

Started on the third pull, so I figured I'd mow the edges of the lawn

Ran great, until I ran out of gas. Since the can was almost empty, I took the five gallon can (my wife fills her mower with it) to town and filled it with 91 o lane ethanol free premium.

Mower started almost immediately with the fresh fuel but wouldn't stay running. I fiddled with it, drained the bowl, etc, but decided I had higher priorities than wasting the day fiddling with a mower, so I brought it to the dealer.

Picked it up three days later. Verdict: water in the fuel.

I think the only people who buy premium around here are the snowmobilers, and they went away five months ago.

About 20 years ago a local very reputable mechanic, stated on NPR, that he wouldn't put "regular" gas in anything, even a lawn mower.
He always bought premium, not because of the octane, but because it contained detergents and additives not present in the lower and mid grades.

However, with the cost of premium now being ridiculously higher than the lesser grades, I can easily see there being water in the fuel.

I had accidentally left a bottle of 2 cycle oil out in the son for several months. The condensation made it very thin making it obvious it shouldn't be used.

 

[procadman]

Pressure washer problem is not unloader unless the motor only stalls when you shut off the trigger

Yes, it stalls immediately with the trigger shut off.
The only way to get it to run at all is with the trigger fully depressed.

 

[procadman]

Just dont bother with crapmen aka poulon yard equipment. Its cheap junk for a reason. my dad kept buying cheap blowers as they would die every few years from his abuse, lack of using good mixed fuel and lack of maintenance. Finally made him buy a redmax and what do you know-no more issues.

Everything I own works fine, BUT I only buy pro grade equipment. I also use 93 octane and synthetic 2 stroke oil and I run them totally out of gas when not in season.

I bought the craftsman chain saw "refurbished" probably 10 years ago.
It has been the best one I have owned and this is the first time it has given me any problems.

The weed wacker (~6 years old) is the higher quality interchangeable-end version (string or blade) and has been fine until recently.

The pressure washer was inherited from my dad's estate in 2014 and has run like a top every time I needed it until now.

Most of these issues were caused by incorrect fuel handling when the equipment was idle. Basically, due to my inaction, the equipment was abused.

 

[AA/FC]

I buy 100% gasoline (no ethonol) direct from the pump at my corner gas station. Haven't had a single issue since.... My chainsaw, weed whip, two lawn mowers, backpack blower, both generators, and all three snow blowers run like the day they were new.... and have for many years now since I stopped buying ethonol gas. It doesnt matter if they are 2 or 4 stroke, or if they have gas left in them from one season to the next, everything starts right away, and runs great every time.

 

[Gittgo]

A) Quit buying junk tools. Crapsman weed eater and saw, C'mon man. That's as bad as Horrific Fart. Get some fuel stabilizer for the Hondoo and yeah. The unloader. Maybe.
Take it in for service.Better option. Time off is precious.

 

[Oldbear]

We had a small chain saw that would run fine for 4 or so minutes and then bog out and die. It would only start again after it had cooled off to room temperature. Tried everything we could - finally took it apart to teach the kids how they look inside... the cylinder wall had a hairline crack from top to bottom. When it reached operating temperature it would act as a compression release.

 

[jmarkwolf]

Check that the fuel cap on your pressure washer is venting properly.

Had a chain saw quit working one day, a few years back, after running fine the previous day. Wouldn't run more than a few seconds. Would always start on each pull, but stall after a few seconds.

Tried fresh gas. No workie.

Took it to the shop and dropped it off. They pharted around with it and couldn't fix it until one of the old timers in the shop suggested replacing the gas cap.

Started right up, and has been running fine ever since.

Poulan chain saw, probably 15 years old, never do any maintenance except get the chain sharpened once in a while. Use 10% ethanol gas all the time, sometimes the pre-mix is 2-3 years old between uses, still starts right up, and runs like raped ape.

 

[Davefr]

Let me make your life easy.. instead of rebuild kits and aggravation, every one of those carbs can be replaced with a brand new one, for $15 to $25 from the manufacturer of the engine. They will come with all new parts, and tuned out of the box.. the cost of brand new carbs is about twice what the rebuild kits would cost, and they are not expensive. Don't waste your time. Remove 2 bolts, replace the carbs with new ones, and everything will run like new again.

Even Honda and Briggs carbs can be bought new for $25 or so.

Agree, however aftermarket carbs (vs OEM) often come with no limiters and are fully adjustable vs fixed jet.

 

[fatfillup]

Yes, it stalls immediately with the trigger shut off.
The only way to get it to run at all is with the trigger fully depressed.

Yep likely unloader problem.

Quick fix, tape the trigger open and hang on to the wand

Believe it or not, back in the 80's, we sold a lot of machines with open guns (no trigger). And all the self serve car washes were open gun too. Always fun to watch someone drop the wand and beat their car up

 

[toolaholic]

This stuff works wonders: Start Your Engines! Fuel System Revitalizer and Starter Fluid for 2 and 4 Cycle Small Engines, 4 Fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B0TCN4/?tag=atomicindus08-20 tractor supply carries it for $6.99