Problem with 4 cycle weedwacker

[limeylew]

I've got a Craftsman, 4 cycle, weedwacker that has a problem with flooding.

Its very difficult to start and it seems like I just have to 'get lucky' in order to get it running.

If I stop it, after it is warmed up, I can forget about starting it again tills it is cold.

So far I have flushed out the gas tank, taken the carburetor apart and blown it out, checked the needle seat for dirt and it still floods.

A friend, who uses a couple of these with his business, tells me they have a lot of trouble with theirs flooding, too.

I'm wondering if you have had this problem with yours and have found a 'fix' for it?

Your help will be appreciated.

Lewis.

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[m Ransley]

Wirh regular gas-no oil, not premium, no choke, no throttle it wont start, hot, check for spark when hot. Isn`t it a new unit under warranty.

[limeylew]

Thanks for your reply.

I don't 'think' its under warranty as I bought it used from E-bay.

The previous owner had obviously had some problems trying to start it as the plastic ratchet in the cranking mechanism was worn out and _I_ had to make a new one. Our local 'factory authorized' repair shop told me that the ratchet was not available.

It does spark when it is hot.

Lewis.

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[m Ransley]

If it gets spark, maybe it is not getting fuel. Vapor lock, try Either . maybe a cover can be removed to cool it or a better gas , it isnt flooding is it.

[limeylew]

YES its flooding!!!!!!

Thats the whole issue that I'm trying to resolve.

Lewis.

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[m Ransley]

Flooding can be caused by a sticking float not closing . or float jet needle not seating with dirt alowing gas to enter. Is the oil contaminated, smells like gas, well, Rebuild the carb

You should have just said its flooding

What did you expect from E bay product unseen, something good !

[limeylew]

Sir, with all due respect, here is the first line of my message:-

[m Ransley]

Well I cant read

[m Ransley]

Sorry I didnt read fully the first post but I only have ideas no cure. All my small motors have their own sequence in starting, to much choke and thats it for a while, each one is different but my most expensive Sthil is the best . You have to find what yours needs in relation to choke. A weak yellow spark or bad plug, even new plugs come bad, bad igniton module could be the cause. Champion has a new plug line that says Easier starting. If plug is wet when trying a hot start while hot check for spark with plug removed and its color and strength-length of spark yellow is bad. I just had a plug wire not fire only when hot, but fine cold. Ignition modules going bad usualy fail first when hot, even a plug dropped can first fail only hot so check everything hot. Vapor lock came to mind but you did say it plug is wet. Small motors, cheap carbs and parts can be a pain. Be sure choke opens fully, throttle closes fully and even lean the low speed mix. In the end it could just be a crappy carburator.

[m Ransley]

Low engine compression will make starting hard.

[David Martel]

He said it was flooding in the very first sentence of his post.

Dave M.