Getting old Craftsman 32cc gas blower to start

[branimal]

The new carb didn’t fit. Mount Holes didn’t line properly. Thankfully amazon has free returns.

I picked up a new fuel line and a spark plug and after some pulling she started up.

Thanks for all the help.

Cleaned up my front yard and both of my neighbors’.

She did die a couple times, so I’ll have to tinker a little more with it.

 

[branimal]

Went to start the blower today and she wouldn’t start.

I took out the the spark plug and it has some black soot on it. Cleaned it up with some carb cleaner. It’s still black.

Still won’t start.

Any ideas of what could have went bad Over the course of 5 days.

 

[branimal]

I took a wire brush to the spark plug. Cleaned out the air filter (yellow sponge thing above the carb) in soapy water - let it dry overnight. And replaced my fuel oil mixture with Mechanic in a bottle. It started up a couple times but died within seconds.

Then I sprayed 2 shots of carb cleaner into the spark plug hole. It started up once, and died within seconds.

Maybe my fuel-oil mixture is too oil rich. I measured it out with a shop pyrex. I ballparked 10mL oil to 400mL gas. There is no marking for 10mL on my Pyrex. Maybe my ballpark of oil was higher than 10mL.

I got the oil from my dad's garage. A 10 year old (at least) unopened can of 2 cycle engine oil. Lawn boy brand.

If the mixture was too rich, how can I clean out the engine of the bad fuel mix?

I might pick up another new spark plug as well.

Here's a pic of the fuel-oil (40-1) mix.

 

[classic70]

I have been down this road before. Old cheaper blowers are hard to work on and never seem to be reliable. The time you put into plus the frustration, parts, carb clean, fuel lines, spark plugs, pull rope, etc. I spent 149 on a new Echo that starts in 2-3 pulls every time that has been flawless for 3 years now. Still has 2yrs of warranty left. No regrets

 

[M-technik-3]

Coming in very late but my suggestion new battery powered electric one. I know it goes against our way of thinking here about fixing it but unless you maintain your small engines they all end up with carbs that are destroyed thanks our ethanol.

 

[branimal]

So I got her started again. I was re-reading this thread and someone mentioned throwing a capful of gas into the spark plug hole. I did that and pulled the cord and she started but then died again within a few seconds.

So the spark plug was good.

I took it apart. I saw the fuel line was crimped. It crimped when i clamped down the cover. But still pulling gas. Wasn't leaking and the inside diameter wasn't compromised.
Replaced the line and I re-routed it the best I could. There are no hold down points for the line. Then I diluted my gas mixture.

Pulled it and she started and ran fine. I'm going to pick up a proper measuring container. And a gas can. They seem to all be made of plastic these days.

My gut says that I made this mixture higher than 40:1. Maybe a brain spasm while i was mixing.

@classic70 - I did take a peek at the echo blower at home depot. And I checked out the competing stihl blower. Both around 150. Not going to throw in the towel yet..... but those will be my choices if I do.

@M-technik-3 I'm using ridgid tools and their blowers are low CFM. From what I've read they are job site blowers.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My gut says that I made this mixture higher than 40:1. Maybe a brain spasm while i was mixing.

All modern small engines have electronic ignition. If they are 2 stroke, they are much more tolerant to "rich" oil mixture. (40:1 is fine, probably even 32:1)

One thing to check when you have time. Pull the rewind off. If there is a lot of oil on the side of the engine, the crankshaft seal is leaking. This will cause it to run poorly. The seal itself is usually pretty cheap (if you can find one). Getting it out can be a pain, especially on very small engines. Use a sharp pick (or two) to pull it out, but be careful not to scratch the the crank or the engine case where the seal seats. Use an appropriate sized deep socket to install it.

(On larger engines, you just use a small, coarse threaded, screw installed directly into the old seal and it will pull right out.)

 

[branimal]

All modern small engines have electronic ignition. If they are 2 stroke, they are much more tolerant to "rich" oil mixture. (40:1 is fine, probably even 32:1)

One thing to check when you have time. Pull the rewind off. If there is a lot of oil on the side of the engine, the crankshaft seal is leaking. This will cause it to run poorly. The seal itself is usually pretty cheap (if you can find one). Getting it out can be a pain, especially on very small engines. Use a sharp pick (or two) to pull it out, but be careful not to scratch the the crank or the engine case where the seal seats. Use an appropriate sized deep socket to install it.

(On larger engines, you just use a small, coarse threaded, screw installed directly into the old seal and it will pull right out.)

I'm pretty sure the crankshaft seal is leaking. There's bit of oil on the side of the engine.

I'll look online and see if I can find a crankshaft seal before I undertake this project.

Thanks!!

 

[joey1320]

Glad you got it running. I enjoy tinkering with small engines so, if I have the time, I see it as time well spent.