no start...

dnale

dnale

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Joined
Jun 11, 2003
Messages
1,006
Location
South Lyon, Michigan
My 2000 Srx hasn't been started in probably 2 years due to lack of snow. So yesterday we buzzed up north for an overnighter and ice fishing. On a whim before we left I tried starting her. I did treat the gas with seafoam and have dosed it with stabil for long term storage. I knew it would take a lot of pulls. Probably 20 then I pulled the plugs. All dry. I put a little premix down each hole. It would fire but not run. Another 20 both with choke on and off. Nothing. Pulled the plugs and now they look wet. That pretty much used up my time before we had to go. I'm looking for suggestions. Cleaning the carbs will probably be my next step. Even though I cleaned the carbs when I last ran it (replaced all 3 float needles).

Thanks guys.
 

Agree with dirty carbs, being as your did have fire I think your okay on that for now. Clean carbs paying special attention to pilots/top hat on float needle seat if you still have them. DRAIN AS MUCH OF THAT 2 YEAR OLD GAS AS YOU CAN, replace with premium. There is NO ADDITIVE that will make any gas "good enough" in 2 years.
 
leaving fuel in the tank that long is a no no..even with stabil..were the carbs ran dry,if not you might have a mess in there..pull the carbs and clean,drain that tank good and add new.Before connecting gas lines back up take plugs out(to make pulling easier) and pull the motor over and over to push any old gas out of the lines and pump because you can push that stuff back into your cleaned already carbs and end up doing it again 2 or more times.When I left gas in my motorcycle years back,storage in my parent shed for like 4 years..it would not start.Finally pulled carbs and everything was caked good and seized.Got it all clean,new fuel.turned the key and fired right away..That gas of today sitting will do damage.

PS: I wander if your in tank fuel filter would need replacement as well..and check the little dome screens (hats) on the fuel inlets in the carb.
 
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All of that sounds doable. I hate the idea of a rusty flywheel. We're headed up in a couple weeks for a lazy weekend. No real work or riding so I'll try to tackle it then. I'll drain the fuel. Think its still good enough for the lawn mower ?
 
the rusty flywheel can be cleaned up..do a search on it..good luck and always remember..Have Fun doing it right,no cutting corners and it will reward you back.
 
dnale said:
All of that sounds doable. I hate the idea of a rusty flywheel. We're headed up in a couple weeks for a lazy weekend. No real work or riding so I'll try to tackle it then. I'll drain the fuel. Think its still good enough for the lawn mower ?
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Depends on what you mow your lawn with. I myself wouldnt try to run 2 year old fuel threw any thing other than a bon fire. Might be better in a car/truck where you can dilute it with 10-15 gallons of fresh stuff...up to you.
 
dnale said:
Looks like I'll have to pick up another fuel can....the up north mowers are pos ones that are pretty beat.
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if there as beat up a you say they are, throw it in them. if they die on ya, its a good reason to buy a new one. which you might end up doing soon anyways. ;)! or of course a gool ol' bon fire!
 
all I do with the mower at the cottage is throw fresh fuel in it when it comes time and run it. haven't changed the oil or filter or cleaned carbs or sharpened blade in years. couple primes and she always starts.
 
old gas is bad gas.When my mom on the farm was selling the Farm gas tanks and stands ,she phoned me to come get some free gas as she wants to drain the tanks so she could sell them.At that time I was riding a Dodge Caravan and filled the tank on it with the gas.I live 3 minutes away from her..I barely made it home and the motor was just stalling.Next day going all the way downtown to work she was stalling out at the lights.Had to go to neutral and keep the gas pedal down.I couldn't believe this was from the gas in them tanks that have been in year for years... :o| Finally got to my job site and co worker told me to disconnect the battery for the day and then back and the computer would reset.It worked and got home ok.Long story short..old gas is bad gas...I sure learned that day.... :o| :o| :o|
 
Cooper0809 said:
all I do with the mower at the cottage is throw fresh fuel in it when it comes time and run it. haven't changed the oil or filter or cleaned carbs or sharpened blade in years. couple primes and she always starts.
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BIG differance between a few hundred dollar 4 stroke mower and a few thousand dollar 2 stroke sled! 15 years ago I worked at a high volume auto salvage yard. Dismantled 5-15 cars/trucks a week. Drained every gas tank and went into my 79 ford bronco. 8" lift running 38.5 mudders with a big block 460 (carburated) not built for fuel economy! Old school caruberators with old school ignition systems dont mind marginal fuel like the newer systems.
 
Devilin AblueDress! said:
BIG differance between a few hundred dollar 4 stroke mower and a few thousand dollar 2 stroke sled! 15 years ago I worked at a high volume auto salvage yard. Dismantled 5-15 cars/trucks a week. Drained every gas tank and went into my 79 ford bronco. 8" lift running 38.5 mudders with a big block 460 (carburated) not built for fuel economy! Old school caruberators with old school ignition systems dont mind marginal fuel like the newer systems.
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I agree a hundred percent!
 
Devilin AblueDress! said:
BIG differance between a few hundred dollar 4 stroke mower and a few thousand dollar 2 stroke sled! 15 years ago I worked at a high volume auto salvage yard. Dismantled 5-15 cars/trucks a week. Drained every gas tank and went into my 79 ford bronco. 8" lift running 38.5 mudders with a big block 460 (carburated) not built for fuel economy! Old school caruberators with old school ignition systems dont mind marginal fuel like the newer systems.
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all my old fuel goes into my 1989 f250 plowtruck. that thing will run on anything lol
 
Finally got back up last weekend. Drained as much fuel out as I could, blew out the fuel lines, cleaned the carbs, put fresh fuel in and a couple pulls later (ok like 20) it fired up. Carbs didn't have much debris by visual inspection but crazy how clear carb cleaner ends up a dingy yellow. There was alot of varnish from the old fuel. The old fuel looked like dog pee it was so yellow.

When it fired up I probably looked like a kid at Christmas with my wide smile. Took it around the circle a couple times after she warmed up and I knew all 3 were firing. Man it's great to hear that tripple. It just sounds so mean!

Thanks for all of the help, again.
 
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