Old tiller likes ether but not gas

[bethlaf]

Ive been trying to start an older tiller, and it will fire with an apporpriate amount of starter fluid but will not remain running. any suggestions, Im a mechanical idiot.........Help

[agmantoo]

Obviously it is not getting gas. Why, because the fuel lines are clogged at the tank or going into the carb or because the needle valve that permits gas to enter into the carb or the float that controls the needle is stuck. Additionally, the jets in the carb are clogged or the adjustments that control the air and gas are incorrectly set. For the mechanically challenged I suggest getting a can of carb cleaner and saturating the carb on the inside and let the machine set for a day or so. Then gentlely tap on the exterior of the carb with the handle of a medium size screwdriver. Put the choke on and give it a try. You should have a good chance of getting it started. After using the machine and knowing that it will be idle for days or weeks remove the gas left in the tank and then let the machine run until all gas is consumed to prevent a reoccurence.

[TheBlueOne]

You have a fuel problem. Combustion needs oxygen, fuel and a spark. If it runs on ether then you have oxygen and a spark. Drain the tank and replace with fresh gas. Make sure the choke works and is on. If it still doesn't want to run remove the air filter assembly and spray some carb cleaner into the intake. Repeat the starting sequence. If it's not running yet you're looking at taking the carb apart and cleaning it thouroughly.

[Darren]

I wouldn't waste time or money on carb cleaner applied to the throat of the carb. Your problem lies in the innards of the carb. Once gasoline deteriorates inside a carb and gums up the passageways, needle and seat, etc. no amount of carb cleaner sprayed down the throat or on the outside will do diddly.

Some have a screw in the middle (underside) of the bowl that you can remove to drop the bowl. After doing that you can gently move the float and see if the needle drops away from the seat as the float drops. If you can get that work freely, you might luck out and get it to work. If not you need to have the entire carb disassembled cleaned and put back together

[rambler]

You've had great advise so far.

One thing to add, does your engine have a primer button? Are you able to get fuel from the tank to the carb? This is an issue on my snow blower, which sits all summer. The line loop up & bach down to the carb, and it takes a bit of effort to move the fuel over to the carb at first.

--->Paul

[Ozarks_1]

All good answers.

Depending on a number of factors, you might need a new carburetor. I've seen them corrode internally to the point where they're not rebuildable.

[Cygnet]

If it starts but then won't *idle* the fix may be as simple as adjusting the idle.

Leva

Originally Posted by Ozarks_1

All good answers.

Depending on a number of factors, you might need a new carburetor. I've seen them corrode internally to the point where they're not rebuildable.

[Herb.]

With the carburator bowl off see if there is a long tube that goes down into the bowl, sometimes these tubes are blocked at the bottom so that junk in the bowl will not be picked up, there will be two holes in the tube near the end, I have seen these plugged up preventing the gas getting to the carb.