16 replies to this topic

[Trent Thomson]

Hey guys ( and gals). Having issues with the 800. Out blowing snow today having a lot of enjoyment and it was working great, but then it started to idle really rough and would not pull up the RPM's. It finally died. I can't get it to start. Fuel is going into the carb. I tried swapping the carb for another one that I had on in the spring that did work then but needed proper adjustment. Still won't start. It has lots of fire and compression, and with a little gas down the plug hole it runs for about 2 seconds. Any suggestions on what to try next. Thanks.

[chris m]

I know you swapped carbs, But it sounds like both carbs are plugged up. Did you try taking one of the carb apart yet?

[Trent Thomson]

Not yet as i'm scared I may mess them up. never had one apart before. I guess i'll have to learn sometime though, and this seems like it may be the right time

[Trent Thomson]

What should I be looking for ?

[chris m]

1st remove the fuel bowl and check to see if there is any varnish or gunk in it. if there is (gunk) then you need to take carb apart and clean it with carb cleaner. If no visible gunk then check to see if float is moving free. if the needle on the float is stuck inside it's hole then it will not alow fuel to enter the carb or the engine. if it is stuck open then gas will come out through overflow or choke end of the carb.

[chris m]

What engine do you have on that?

[Bolens 1000]

1st remove the fuel bowl and check to see if there is any varnish or gunk in it. if there is (gunk) then you need to take carb apart and clean it with carb cleaner. If no visible gunk then check to see if float is moving free. if the needle on the float is stuck inside it's hole then it will not alow fuel to enter the carb or the engine. if it is stuck open then gas will come out through overflow or choke end of the carb.

It sounds like something got in and plugged up the carb.

The original engine for the 800 was a Wisconsin.

Do you have a screen on your fuel shutoff valve?

[chris m]

It sounds like something got in and plugged up the carb.

The original engine for the 800 was a Wisconsin.

Do you have a screen on your fuel shutoff valve?

I was thinking the same about the screen, but he was saying he was getting plenty of gas to the carb. I agree though, sometimes you can see gas coming out of the line going into carb but it can still be plugged, not letting enough through to fill the bowl.

[HDWildBill]

If you were out blowing snow and everything was fine then you started having problems I would look at water in the gas first. If you have even a little amount it could freeze and plug up your fuel filter or in the carb. Pull the fuel line off the carb and make sure you are getting a good flow. I know you said you swapped carbs but that doesn't mean you checked fuel flow.

[MH81]

If you were out blowing snow and everything was fine then you started having problems I would look at water in the gas first.

It could be enough in there to displace the gas. Do you have any way to rig up a secondary gas tank with known good fuel in it?

I think it's more likely junk in the carb, If you give it a shot of carb cleaner, will it fire off?

[olcowhand]

Unscrew the main jet from the bottom of the bowl to see if there's water in there, or any gas at all. If nothing there, or not much, ice could be plugging the float needle base. If water comes out, then gas, you should be good to go if fuel flows freely after dumping the bowl of fuel/water.

[Trent Thomson]

Thanks guys, the engine is a Wisconsin S7D. With the line off the carb there is plenty of flow so i assume the inline filter is not plugged or frozen. I'll try looking inside the bowl tomorrow and check to see if the needle is free. It is a little too dark out now and I have no shop. I'll let you know the results.

[Trent Thomson]

the more I think about it I think it is probably water froze somewhere since it is around -25 with the windchill

[olcowhand]

Plus the air rushing through the intake can cause a severe drop in temps to the carb body. If there was any moisture present in the fuel, it froze!

[HDWildBill]

if you determine it is a water issue try running some seafoam in the gas to dry it out.