Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

When I push the primer button, only air comes thru. I determined this by disconnecting the rubber tube that runs from the primer to the carburetor. The original sympton is that it will not start. When I use starting fluid it runs for a few seconds and then quits. I have a full tank of fresh gas and the carburetor bowl has fuel in it. I put a new sparkplug in it as well. I have the Sears parts diagram manual that comes with the unit but it looks like it's going to be a pain to get at the primer. You have to take off the rope pull starter assembly and cover. I don't have an electric starter on it. This is the first time I used it this winter and I empty the tank and caruretor bowl at the end of each season. Has anybody else had this problem?

The primer is simply a little pump that squirts gasoline into the carburettor throat just past the choke vale. Its purpose is to put a rich squirt of fuel into the cylinder and get the engine started. Its also supposed to get the gas flowing from the gas tank and into the carburettor. Once the engine is turning over the fuel is supposed to flow on its own.

I assuming that you are talking about the line that goes from the primer bulb to the carburetor. If that doesn't have fuel coming out after pressing the bulb several time then there is probably and air leak somewhere in the system. Since the machine is old it could be a break in the rubber bulb itself , a slit in hte fuel line or a leak where the fuel lines attach to the fittings. Check the filter and line in the tank. IF thats OK replace the fuel lines first, if that doesn't help then you will probably have to replace the bulb.

Its probably a good time to replace any other fuel lines as well. After that cleanig the carburetor or getting a carberetor kit might be necessary.

Thanks Nibbler, I took off the carburetor bowl and it turns out there wasn't much gas in it. The float looked like it may have been stuck in the up position so I ordered a carburetor kit from Sears. It was a waste of time checking out the primer. All that is, is a tube that blows air into  the carburetor throat sucking gas from the bowl similar to a perfume bottle atomizer. There is never supposed to be any gas in the primer tube itself. I mistakenly thought that the primer tube was connected to the gas line comming  from the tank and squeezing the bulb squirted gas into the carburetor. It works different than the weed wacker; on that I can see gas in the little red transparent bulb and I assumed the snowblower worked the same way.    

Interesting, the primers that I've had a look at ( mostly weed eater type) squirted gast into the throat of the carburetor. I've never had a problem with my snowblower so I never looked.