Presssure Washer Troubleshooting

[willindsay]

I just picked up a HomeLite pressure washer for free as the owner was just going to trash it. I don't know much about the history of it but the fact that it ran last time it was put away.

I've downloaded the manual for it and followed all of it's instructions on starting and troubleshooting it. I can't get it to start no matte what I try.

I've checked and re-gapped the spark plug as it looks fine. I drained all the fuel in it before trying to start it and filled it with fresh fuel. Oil level for the engine is fine.

Here's a few pics of it.







Not sure if this part of the starting system will even work all rusted like this?




This is my first venture into salvaging something like this and all the advice and help I can get the better. Thanks.

 

[Hiball]

Spark ?

 

[Hiball]

Actually getting fuel to the Carb?

 

[willindsay]

Fuel is getting to the carb. Not really sure on how to check for spark though?

 

[mech-tech]

Connect spark plug wire to spark plug and hold threaded end of spark plug against engine, then with other hand pull starter rope and visually check for a spark. If no spark, change plug. If still no spark, then either the coil is bad or the grounding wire from the coil to the kill switch is shorting out to engine ground.

 

[The Cobbler]

the flywheel magnets needs to be cleaned of rust as well as the heel of the coil. coil needs proper air gap to the flywheel

 

[justme-]

I assure you I've seen more rusty flywheels on running engines. I wouldn't mess with it.
Without a spark tester the above directions will get you in the ball park tho a shot of carb cleaner or starting fluid in the cylinder should get a pop or two telling you there is spark and compression. if you have spark and fuel in the tank make sure you have compression - should feel resistance when pulling the rope with the plug installed.
those all in place still not starting means the carb is the issue - make sure there is no fuel shutoff in the line (and if so that it's turned on). Odds are it's the carb and odds are the carb is plugged up internally.
If so you're going to need to pull it off and pull it apart to clean it. with it removed (carefully so not to damage the gaskets) take the screw out of the center of the bowl in the bottom, remove the bowl, slide the hinge pin out of the float (the big thingy you'll see inside the bowl) and remove the float and needle attached to it.
With little experience I suggest stopping disassembly there - some carbs can be further taken down. Spray carb cleaner through all the holes you see (except the one where the needle came out of under the float - if it has a rubber seat the cleaner will swell it) and look for it to come out somewhere else. especially up the center where the screw that held the bowl on was threaded into. That's the main jet.
After goo flushing there look into the bore of the carb on the throttle plate side (not the choke side) and look for the 3 tiny holes in the side of the bore near the plate. Spray against them with carb cleaner and use a very fine wire (inside of a bread tie is usually about right) to ensure they are open. I bend a 90* about 1/8th inch from one end to do this and just poke it inside the hole. . These are the low speed emulsion holes.

You can clean out the bowl and off the float - residue on them will release in fresh fuel and clog the carb later. Reassemble, reinstall and give it a go. sometimes this will need to be done several times before it gets working. We do the carbs this way in our rental shop as the ultrasonic cleaner is in the service shop in another building.