how do you start gas engines that have not run in ten+ year

SDE

Well-known Member
A co worker said that he puts 5oz of Seafoam in a gal of gas and then empty s out the old gas, then puts the new gas in. After a few minutes of running, it will usually run good. The 4 cycle engines are starting more easily than the 2 cycle. The Mantis hasn't fired at all and a couple of the others will run for a few seconds, and then die. I have been pouring gas into the carburetors. I am hoping that the gas that has sat in the carb. overnight, will improve there ability to start today.

So far, I have 5 good and 1 that starts, but not run, and one that will not fire. I also have another, I have not tried yet.
Thank you
SDE
 
My rule of thumb for 2-cycle engines is to clean the carb. If the fuel hadn't been run dry, there will be enough residual sludge to prevent it from working properly.

Good luck!
 
A lot of variables can happen during the storage period.

If it was stored outdoors, unprotected, you can pretty much assume water has gotten into places it shouldn't! If the engine is stuck, oil in the cylinders will sometimes free it up, but liquid water in the cylinders is another story. A carburetor that has sat with water in it will have to be disassembled, cleaned, and sometimes even replaced if it's corroded badly.

If stored indoors, and water is not a factor, sometimes Seafoam will free up a gummy carb. Again it depends on how bad it is gummed. Evaporation is a big factor, the more open to atmosphere the tank and carb are, the worse the deposits. One trick I have used is to remove the fuel line from the carb inlet, and any mixture screws, and plugs, spray carb cleaner directly into the bowl, through the vent holes, screw holes, any way to get the cleaner directly into the works of the carb, not just into the throat. But, in the end, it's usually not that difficult to just take it off, clean it up, then know it will be good to go.

Then there is the ignition system. The newer electronic ignitions do well with being stored. Points were a different story! They tend to corrode, form a coating of non conductive crust that prevent them from making contact, or cause them to arc and burn. They need to be cleaned (not filed or sanded) with contact cleaner and a piece of clean paper as a blotter.

Also, if no or weak spark, look the coil over (the epoxy type) for cracks. They can dry out, age related regardless of run time, split open and fail. This was real common with magneto engines from the 50's through 80's models.
 
Hello sde,

5 out of 6 is not bad! Try the plug first, My guess is that you will need to get the carb cleaned. If it is a two cycle make sure the little screen inside the carb is clean. Also clean the muffler screen as well. I usually clip it (THE SCREEN) in a vise grip and light it up. Just brush the carbon off!

Guido.
 
When I used to peddle freight I delivered a whole skid of WD-40 to a place. When I commented to the guy about "they sure sell a lot" of that stuff he told me they use most of it their self on small engines that set with gas in them, (mostly over winter I think). He told me they empty the system of old gas, put enough in the tank to load the system, crank it a few times and let set over night. That and a new plug is all they usually do to get one up and running.
 
I have resurrected half a dozen 2 and 4 strokers with Sea foam....one being My Mantis. Each situation is different (your and mine) but this is just another hat in the ring for SF being a usable product in support of rejuvenation of restoring a non-used recently engine. I do not suggest that it does the job on it's own, but it does do a great job of getting one limping along to running like it should.....Mantis and weed whacker to name a couple of 2 strokers, plus marine OB engines, plus 4 stroker BS engines on push mowers.
 
I looked at the wood chipper yesterday. No spark. I don't think I will mess with it. The carb. looks like it might have parts that I need for a snow blower I have in the back of my garage. The outboard will run for 30 seconds and then stop. I will try a few of your suggestions and hope that the Mantis and brush cutter will run.
Thank you
SDE
 

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