First season start on BS engine

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sourgum

Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Like tractorguy I have a B & S twin that runs great but is very hard starting at 50-55 deg or so temps. You have to go thru 4-5 full choke start cycles of 20-30 sec each to ever get engine fire. Always drain gas and put in fresh at first start of season. It has a diaphragm fuel pump ahead of carburators. Question - Techron makes two types starting fluid, one less potent and another more potent for diesel engines. Have you engine guru's ever used a mild type start fluid on a small gas engine. Thinking about this for first season start for less wear on battery & starter. The engine is about 5 yr old.

 

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pete 23

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

I'm and oil can full of gasoline type of guy. If my two banger cub cadet sits for a couple months, I just save the battery and give it a shot or two in the carburetor.

 

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Nate V. IA

Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

I drill a small (tiny) hole in a bottle cap and put an once of gas in it. Just like pete23, spray it in the carb and you're off like a prom dress.

Nate

 

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ss55

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

A squirt of aerosol Carb & Choke Cleaner into the carburetor intake is often enough to get most of my small engines started quickly. Aerosol cans don't leak fumes into the shop.

 

Janicholson

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Gasoline feeds in nicely when squirted on a paper filter element as well. Jim

 

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ericlb

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

i have numerous small engines here, some on specialty equipment which sits for several months or longer at a time, what works for me is keeping stabil in the tank and if i find its stubborn to start reasonably quickly after sitting, i put a small amount of gas on the air filter, and it will start right up, not only a time saver but it has to also prolong the life of the starter which i dont need to spend time replacing

 

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Russ from MN

Well-known Member

Location

Bemidji MN

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Like the others, I use gasoline, but whenever possible mixed chainsaw fuel, I think a little oil is good for the dry cylinders.

 

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Just add a few drops of gas to carb, it will start right away. Your carb is dry and it takes a little time to pump it full of fuel. Or give it a squirt of ether.

 

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retired farmer

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Get some Marvel Mystery Oil and add an ounce to each gallon of gas every time you put in fuel. Mine set thru the winter and always start right up. Works for me.

 

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BushogPapa

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Seems to me it takes a good cranking to get the Oil-Pressure over-ride to get pressure, once it does, mine start well..

With today's "Emission" carburetor settings, they can come from the factory set so far off, some run as with the choke ON and others will hardly run at all until they warm up more than they should need to..

Factory settings are not coming out set accurately..

There are times that you can access the mixture settings and with a Dremel tool and small cut-off wheel, cut a screwdriver slot in the adjustment screw, some, there is nothing you can do..

Fuel lines will not last long, if you use Pump gas in chainsaws and weed-eaters..
Good new fuel line is cheap and available at Home Depot and holds up much better..
Ron.

 

M

Mike (WA)

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Over-winter gas will often run an engine after it starts, but is not quite hot enough to start it. I spray just a spritz of ether before trying to start in the spring, and it usually takes right off.

 

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Indiana George

Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Ron on those carburetors that have the emission settings
you can pull the plastic cover that's around the adjustment screws
and after that you can adjust the carb as much you need it.

 

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fixerupper

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Like ss55 said a squirt of carb and choke cleaner will get it going. No bad fumes and less volatile. I tried ether on my Kohler twin and it did start it but it rattled like crazy on one very small puff. I mentioned this to my local mower dealer and he said NO to ether and to use carb and choke cleaner instead. It's worked for me every spring. I only need it once a year.

 

T

Traper

Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Your fuel pump may be getting weak try pressuring fuel tank by blowing into it.This will fill fuel lines and carb we have done this for years to start snowmobiles after sitting all sumer. traper

 

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BushogPapa

Well-known Member

• Mar 30, 2015

• #1

Many are not slotted and would take a special tool to turn them as made..even after you remove the plastic cover and some have NO means to adjust them at all....

Ron.

 

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Rex 1967 N.C.

New User

• Mar 31, 2015

• #1

Often times I just put a few drops of gas straight down the carb to not waste much time trying to get it started in the spring time. It has never failed to get them off and running much faster.

 

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D beatty

Well-known Member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #1

I run Briggs & Stratton Fuel Stabilizer all year round and have fuel shut offs on all engine ( 5 Briggs & 2 Kolher) and run them dry in the fall. In spring turn fuel on with full choke and they start on about the six or seventh time it turns over. I never use starting fluid in my small gas engines.

 

MarkB_MI

Well-known Member

Location

Motown USA

• Mar 31, 2015

• #1

Just be careful to only use the minimum amount of starter fluid and you'll be fine. I seriously doubt there's any difference between the two products aside from the label on the can. If you don't like the idea of using starter fluid, just remove the air filter and drip a little gasoline in the carb.

 

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FBH44

Well-known Member

• Mar 31, 2015

• #1

I am NOT bragging here, but I have never understood this, I just shake my head. I shoot some Stabil in the gas tank in September or so, maybe some Sae-Foam, whatever, and next spring my 15 yearold Troy Bilt Kohler Command starts on literally the first half-crank.