dead Craftsman Leaf Blower

[spamdisi...@yahoo.com]

Has anyone else had a problem like this?

I have a Craftsman leaf blower which I bought used at a flea market for
$50. I think it was a factory return / rework. It was in like new
condition when I bought it less than a year ago. It takes 40:1 fuel
mix, so I'm not sure if this is an older model, since my Stihl chainsaw
and Homelite weed trimmer both take 50:1.

Anyhow, I used it very regularly this summer and fall without incident.
It had not sat long (a few weeks) when I tried to start it and it
wouldn't start.

First, I replaced the spark plug- nothing.

Second, since it seemed to be delivering fuel properly, I ordered a new
solid state ignition module. I replaced that and still nothing. I
even got a spark tester and it is for sure getting spark (at least
through the test light). The test light hooks in between the blug boot
and the top of the spark plug.

The gap on both the old and new spark plug is set properly.

What has me stumped is that it will not start even with ether is
sprayed in.

I have also tried starting per the owner manual instructions for
starting a flooded engine, just in case.

I have drained the fuel and mixed fresh fuel, just in case. I am sure
that the first batch of fuel as well as the recent batch were both
mixed properly, since I use the small, pre-measured 40:1 bottles of oil
and meter out exactly one gallon of gas when I mix the fuel.

I have also taken the carb apart and ran a small welding torch tip
cleaner (small wire with abrasive etch in one section) into any small
openings I could see. Still nothing.

Anyone have any ideas? (besides sledge hammers and dumpsters).

It's a pretty simple machine, and I hate to put too much money into it
by taking to a shop.

Thanks,

David

[Art]

Kind of cracks me up because I have one that has been thrown around for
years, even kept outside on a balcony for a winter when I was in a temporary
apartment when my house was being built. I throw whatever fuel mix I have
around into it, never winterize it, never clean it up but the darn thing
still works. The previous one I had broke the spring early on and when I
repaired it the recoil starting spring did not last so I thru it away.
Fixing that one was a waste of time and money. These things only cost about
$100 new. Cut your losses.

<spamdisi...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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[Sam O'Nella]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79671&item=4350283634&rd=1

[Andy Hill]

You got fuel, you got spark. Needs air, 'tho. Did you try popping off the air
cleaner to see if it runs with 'er off?

[bobby swift]

Just for the heck of it squrit some motor oil in the plug hole and pull
it a couple times.then put the plug back in and let me know if it
starts!
Bob

[chip]

On Wed, 19 Jan 2005 16:35:59 -0700, Andy Hill <andy...@hp.com>
wrote:

>You got fuel, you got spark. Needs air, 'tho. Did you try popping off the air
>cleaner to see if it runs with 'er off?

i've seen many of those shear the flywheel key, just because you
have spark doesn't mean it's at the right time. the key is part of
the flywheel on those.
chip

[spamdisi...@yahoo.com]

How much motor oil? Does it matter what kind?
I am assuming you have done this before and it worked?

[spamdisi...@yahoo.com]

Tried that too. Same behavior w/o air cleaner.

[Mark]

Does it have any compression? Take out the plug, put your thumb over the
plug hole, and pull the starter cord. If you don't feel pressure against
your thumb, you may have a stuck compression ring. They can get carboned-up.
This happened to a weed-whacker I had & I was able to take it apart, free up
the ring, & re-assemble. It then started right up.

YMMV

--
Mark
Pepperell, MA

<spamdisi...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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[bobby swift]

Just a little regular 30W motor,build compression.Will not fire without
compression.You can't measure compression with your finger.
Bobby

[spamdisi...@yahoo.com]

I'll try it. However, I think that I do have compression. I can tell
a big difference if I pull the cord with the spark plug out vs. in.

[bobby swift]

Mine wouldn't hit at all when i cranked lt,plenty of spark,gas on the
plug,put my finger over plug hole felt plenty of compression,put
compression tester on it 65psi.,put a little motor oil in it ,checked it
again 165-180 psi.put plug back in fired right up.Worked for me.Thanks
Bobby

[Playintennis5274]

using a torch tip cleaner was a no-no. the passages in carbs are easily opened
up if you use anything metal to clean. try this. try starting as you normaly
would, choke it also. after 8 pulls w/ no start pull plug if it's wet obviously
its dumping to much gas . whenever i flood any 2 stroke i ll take a lighter &
place it as close to plug hole as possible and slowly crank engine a few times
if flooded youll get a nice little flame and whooosh noise or use a compressor
to dry cylinder out. i'll bet your problem is either a bad diaphram or dirt
keeping the fuel inlet needle from seating.

[spamdisi...@yahoo.com]

BOBBY!

YOU DA MAN ! ! !. Last night I put a little SAE 30 in and EUREKA, it
started!

I had never heard of doing that, nor would I ever have thought of that
on my own. That's a great trick to know!

THANK YOU ! ! !

[m Ransley]

Do a compression test with a compression gauge - tester, it sounds like
it is to low to run and is just worn out. New larger -properly sized
rings may fix it.

[bobby swift]

David,
Glad I could help.I figured it had low compression from sitting.If you
run it often,it should keep running.Did you say dam i had this thing all
to pieces,and all it took was a little squirt of oil to get it
going!Take Care Bobby

[Stormin Mormon]

Dried out piston ring? Neat trick, I'll have to remember that one.

--

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

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[bobby swift]

David,
Will the leaf blower start up an keep running?Thanks
Bobby