OT....Mini Tiller not starting

WayneMo · Jun 17, 2020

Lots of smart guys on this forum. I have been trying to get my 2 cycle
mini tiller started. It has good spark, and new plug and will not even
pop when I add gas directly in the cylinder. Nothing. So it has gas,
air, and spark which usually at least tries to start!
I will check the compression, but it ran last year before I drained
the gas for the winter. What is the compression necessary for these
small 2 cycle tools like weed eaters, leaf blowers, etc.?
These little 2 cycle engines with the cube shape carburetors are
always a problem to keep running. Any thoughts?

Jim L WA · Jun 17, 2020

I know these 2 cycle engines can be a PITA. If you pull it slowly can you feel compression come and go? Have you tried starting fluid sprayed into the intake? I know it's not lubricated, but a few seconds won't hurt anything.

JWA · Jun 17, 2020

Recently had this problem with my Mantis tiller. Ordered a kit on line for around $12. Included carburetor,all three fuel hoses with tank grommet and fuel filter, air filter and spark plug. It now runs like a new one, I don't know how they can sell these kits so cheap.

R Geiger · Jun 17, 2020

(quoted from post at 12:19:42 06/17/20) Recently had this problem with my Mantis tiller. Ordered a kit on line for around $12. Included carburetor,all three fuel hoses with tank grommet and fuel filter, air filter and spark plug. It now runs like a new one, I don't know how they can sell these kits so cheap.

I did the same with my mantis.

teddy52food · Jun 17, 2020

Take the muffler off & try again.

Jim.ME · Jun 17, 2020

Fuel line failure is common, replacing lines on my wife's Mantis by this weekend, did it 2 - 3 years ago as well.

Lynn Patrick · Jun 17, 2020

Check what Teddy said. 2 cycle engines tend to plug the spark arrestor screen in the muffler. If burnt gasses can't escape it can't intake any new fuel/air mix.

WayneMo · Jun 17, 2020

I am working on 2 mini tillers, Tecumseh and Yard Machine. The Tecumseh has only 80 psi compression and removing the muffler did not help although some black smoke did pop out but no attempt to run. I conclude that 80 psi is not enough.
The Yard Machine had 100 psi compression and did make some pops when the muffler was removed. I plan to keep working on this one and trash the other one. I will go over the carb mostly.

lha · Jun 17, 2020

80lbs would be enough for it to run,but maybe not start. The muffler,if clogged would keep it from doing either. Burning it out with a propane torch or just put it on a small fire for a while will burn out the clog. The small two cycle engines are fairly sensitive to sitting around and to alcohol gas and the spark plugs sometimes get fouled. I run mine at 25/1 gas/oil with the mixture screws adjusted for richer mix to keep it from leaning out and holing the piston. I get them running[if possible]by turning with a drill on the end of the crankshaft and start off with some choke.

OT....Mini Tiller not starting

WayneMo

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Jim L WA

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JWA

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R Geiger

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teddy52food

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Jim.ME

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Lynn Patrick

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WayneMo

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lha

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