(Computer geek can't figure out small engine repair issue). When my
mother went into Assisted Living I brought down her slightly used Honda
mower as a backup. I haven't touch it in 3 years, but I can't seem to
get it started.
1. Figured out there was a spark (new plug) by laying the plug on top
and turning it over.
2. Figured out the kill bar wasn't a problem because when it was
engaged sparked.
3. Pulled off the air filter (it is pretty new)
4. Replaced the gas.
5. Emptied the carbs float bowl.
6. Made sure gas was turned on.

Turned it over a few times, nothing. Tried wiring throttle full on (in
case the throttle cable was too loose), nothing doesn't start. Checked
the plug and it wasn't wet. Poured a bit of gas directly in the
cylinder, boom it turned over ! ... then died out :-( .... float bowl
was filled with gas so I assume the carb is clogged ???? Took the
carb off can't see that it is clogged and the carb is so simple I can't
believe that this is the problem.

Can someone give me some debugging tips or advice (I am too proud to
bring to a repair shop).
Thanks!

wash out the fuel system,rebuild the carb. if you use stabil in engines
sitting the gas wont turn to gum.. lucas

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

You said you repacled the gas, so if you had old gas in it you need a
carb rebuild.

Some possibilities:
1) Choke is not working properly, making starting difficult.
2) Gummed up carb from stale gasoline in the mower
for 3 years. Highly probable.
3) Bad carb gasket causing an air leak.
4) If this is a 2-cycle engine, the possibility that the
engine has been damaged due to lack of oil mixed
with gas in the past. If it is a 4-cycle, the possibility
that the engine has been damaged from being run
with low oil levels.
5) Poor compression. (See #4 above).

You should be able to get some feeling for compression
when you pull the recoil starter.

You can check on fuel delivery by spraying an appropriate
aerosol into the air intake while starting and running the
engine. Obviously, starting fluid will work for this operation.

Have one person squirt in a bit while another person tries
to start the engine. If/when the engine begins to run, give
it an occasional squirt to attempt to keep it running. You
probably don't want to do this for too long since starting
fluid is believed to be "too hot" for extended use in engines.

Switching over to other sprays may be easier on the engine
(WD-40, carb cleaner, etc.?) once it has started and you are
still testing and keeping the engine limping along. If the mower
has the right sort of manual primer, then an occasional pump
from the primer can keep the mower running if there is a fuel
delivery problem.

Did the engine start easily and run well 3 years ago before
going into storage? If so, then the only probable problem is
the fact that it sat around for 3 years with stale gasoline.
Sometimes running the engine a bit and using both spray
and pour-in carb cleaners will get it working ok again. Some-
times not. I've received may free mowers and many of them
have sat for years before I received them. Most often, I can
get them working well with little effort. (I currently own 8 push
mowers. My son operates a mowing business, plus we often
fix mowers and donate them to folks.)

I'm no expert; my in-laws will quickly agree to that. Still,
I hope the advise is useful to you.

Good luck,
Gideon


wrote in message
.com...
(Computer geek can't figure out small engine repair issue). When my
mother went into Assisted Living I brought down her slightly used Honda
mower as a backup. I haven't touch it in 3 years, but I can't seem to
get it started.
1. Figured out there was a spark (new plug) by laying the plug on top
and turning it over.
2. Figured out the kill bar wasn't a problem because when it was
engaged sparked.
3. Pulled off the air filter (it is pretty new)
4. Replaced the gas.
5. Emptied the carbs float bowl.
6. Made sure gas was turned on.

Turned it over a few times, nothing. Tried wiring throttle full on (in
case the throttle cable was too loose), nothing doesn't start. Checked
the plug and it wasn't wet. Poured a bit of gas directly in the
cylinder, boom it turned over ! ... then died out :-( .... float bowl
was filled with gas so I assume the carb is clogged ???? Took the
carb off can't see that it is clogged and the carb is so simple I can't
believe that this is the problem.

Can someone give me some debugging tips or advice (I am too proud to
bring to a repair shop).
Thanks!

All good advice.
"Gideon" wrote in message
. ..
Some possibilities:
1) Choke is not working properly, making starting difficult.
2) Gummed up carb from stale gasoline in the mower
for 3 years. Highly probable.
3) Bad carb gasket causing an air leak.
4) If this is a 2-cycle engine, the possibility that the
engine has been damaged due to lack of oil mixed
with gas in the past. If it is a 4-cycle, the possibility
that the engine has been damaged from being run
with low oil levels.
5) Poor compression. (See #4 above).

You should be able to get some feeling for compression
when you pull the recoil starter.

You can check on fuel delivery by spraying an appropriate
aerosol into the air intake while starting and running the
engine. Obviously, starting fluid will work for this operation.

Have one person squirt in a bit while another person tries
to start the engine. If/when the engine begins to run, give
it an occasional squirt to attempt to keep it running. You
probably don't want to do this for too long since starting
fluid is believed to be "too hot" for extended use in engines.

Switching over to other sprays may be easier on the engine
(WD-40, carb cleaner, etc.?) once it has started and you are
still testing and keeping the engine limping along. If the mower
has the right sort of manual primer, then an occasional pump
from the primer can keep the mower running if there is a fuel
delivery problem.

Did the engine start easily and run well 3 years ago before
going into storage? If so, then the only probable problem is
the fact that it sat around for 3 years with stale gasoline.
Sometimes running the engine a bit and using both spray
and pour-in carb cleaners will get it working ok again. Some-
times not. I've received may free mowers and many of them
have sat for years before I received them. Most often, I can
get them working well with little effort. (I currently own 8 push
mowers. My son operates a mowing business, plus we often
fix mowers and donate them to folks.)

I'm no expert; my in-laws will quickly agree to that. Still,
I hope the advise is useful to you.

Good luck,
Gideon


wrote in message
.com...
(Computer geek can't figure out small engine repair issue). When my
mother went into Assisted Living I brought down her slightly used Honda
mower as a backup. I haven't touch it in 3 years, but I can't seem to
get it started.
1. Figured out there was a spark (new plug) by laying the plug on top
and turning it over.
2. Figured out the kill bar wasn't a problem because when it was
engaged sparked.
3. Pulled off the air filter (it is pretty new)
4. Replaced the gas.
5. Emptied the carbs float bowl.
6. Made sure gas was turned on.

Turned it over a few times, nothing. Tried wiring throttle full on (in
case the throttle cable was too loose), nothing doesn't start. Checked
the plug and it wasn't wet. Poured a bit of gas directly in the
cylinder, boom it turned over ! ... then died out :-( .... float bowl
was filled with gas so I assume the carb is clogged ???? Took the
carb off can't see that it is clogged and the carb is so simple I can't
believe that this is the problem.

Can someone give me some debugging tips or advice (I am too proud to
bring to a repair shop).
Thanks!

My guess would be first that old gas. Six months is a long time, but
three years is too long. It likely has clogged stuff up and you will need
the carb and maybe some others fuel parts cleaned.

However I will add one more thing. I had this one happen to me this
year. Mine (a 13 year old unit) did not want to start, very difficult. I
did all the usual until I noticed that the chock was not going on. It was
just sticking open. A little cleaning and it is back to first time every
time.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit
wrote in message
oups.com...
(Computer geek can't figure out small engine repair issue). When my
mother went into Assisted Living I brought down her slightly used Honda
mower as a backup. I haven't touch it in 3 years, but I can't seem to
get it started.
1. Figured out there was a spark (new plug) by laying the plug on top
and turning it over.
2. Figured out the kill bar wasn't a problem because when it was
engaged sparked.
3. Pulled off the air filter (it is pretty new)
4. Replaced the gas.
5. Emptied the carbs float bowl.
6. Made sure gas was turned on.

Turned it over a few times, nothing. Tried wiring throttle full on (in
case the throttle cable was too loose), nothing doesn't start. Checked
the plug and it wasn't wet. Poured a bit of gas directly in the
cylinder, boom it turned over ! ... then died out :-( .... float bowl
was filled with gas so I assume the carb is clogged ???? Took the
carb off can't see that it is clogged and the carb is so simple I can't
believe that this is the problem.

Can someone give me some debugging tips or advice (I am too proud to
bring to a repair shop).
Thanks!

I had success with a mower in similar shape by, after doing everything
else on your list then finally pulling off the gas line and blowing it
out. Then poured some gas in the troat of the carb and it started and
kept going.

On 23 Jul 2006 07:00:09 -0700, wrote:

Can someone give me some debugging tips or advice (I am too proud to
bring to a repair shop).
Thanks!

Great advice here already.

Is the plug wire cracked and brittle, enough to ground/short out.

Oren

Try spraying some GumOut into the carb.

wrote in message
oups.com...

Then poured some gas in the troat of the carb and it started and
kept going.

Did you ever find out where it went:

http://experts.about.com/q/Small-Eng...1746/index.htm


wrote in message
oups.com...
(Computer geek can't figure out small engine repair issue). When my
mother went into Assisted Living I brought down her slightly used Honda
mower as a backup. I haven't touch it in 3 years, but I can't seem to
get it started.
1. Figured out there was a spark (new plug) by laying the plug on top
and turning it over.
2. Figured out the kill bar wasn't a problem because when it was
engaged sparked.
3. Pulled off the air filter (it is pretty new)
4. Replaced the gas.
5. Emptied the carbs float bowl.
6. Made sure gas was turned on.

Turned it over a few times, nothing. Tried wiring throttle full on (in
case the throttle cable was too loose), nothing doesn't start. Checked
the plug and it wasn't wet. Poured a bit of gas directly in the
cylinder, boom it turned over ! ... then died out :-( .... float bowl
was filled with gas so I assume the carb is clogged ???? Took the
carb off can't see that it is clogged and the carb is so simple I can't
believe that this is the problem.

Can someone give me some debugging tips or advice (I am too proud to
bring to a repair shop).
Thanks!