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

Over last winter I had to move things from my garage to my shed due to a remodeling project.  To make room in my shed I had to let my 4hp snapper rear tine rototiller sit outside all winter.  Now old reliable won't start.  I did leave gas in the tank but I added stabil after using it last fall.  It cranks but won't start.  It will run for a second after getting a shot of starting fluid in the carb. 

The machine was snowed and rained on all winter.  I don't know what that does to an engine but my sense is that it's not good for it.  Is there anything that I should try to get it going?  The manual is below.

Thanks.

http://manuals.snapper.com/Manuals/manuals/15883.pdf

You probably have water in the gas tank. Drain it, dry it, refill with fresh gas. Check the spark plug and replace if it shows any problems. For the time it takes I tend to replace the plug and clean the old one at my leisure, if it looks bad I get a new spare. Grease everything and hopefully away you go.

If you have continued problems check that you are getting spark at the spark plug and gas to the carburettor. Carburettor cleaner in the gas ( Seafoam has been recommended on other threads) once a year is also probably a good idea. A carb tune up every few years is also a good idea.

For mor ideas get a small engine repair book from the library and have fun.

Yeah,  Just half a spoon of water will keep your engine from starting,   Take off the bowl  and drain.  Look inside the bowl for signs of corrosion.. 

Good Luck,

Friiy

 

Nibbler and Friiy,

Thanks for the advice.  It took a while but I removed and cleaned the carb, removed and drained the gas tank, and changed the plug.  My Snapper Tiller now runs like a champ.

I learned two things from this:

1)  Gasoline engines won't run on water.

2)  Gasoline engines come apart much faster than they go back together.

Thanks again!!!

Cool, glad to hear it....

Friiy