[Scouse]

  We bought this tiller second hand 3 years ago, it's been a pain to start from the off, we have had to get it serviced twice.  At the end of last year I empted the fuel and put it into our dry garage for this year, but low and behold would it run and do its duty would it heck.  It will start but then splutter to a halt.  I have checked the air filter which is clean as a whistle, the spark plug is black, but surelly that is because it has not burned the fuel?   Other persons on the lotte say it might have dirt in the carb, but not wanting to spend more money on it, I carn't find any info on the web on how to clean the carb.  Any ideas?

[Gwiz]

When you say you emptied the fuel, did you also emty the carb bowl?
If you left some petrol in there, that'll be why it won't start now most likely.
The bowl has a nut directly on the bottom and should also have a small bolt just to one side of it. Undo that one and you will get out some very yellow stale fuel. Remeber to turn the fuel tap off first and don't smoke!

[Dopey113]

Pull the oil sensor out, bet it works then

[Scouse]

Hi, Whats the oil sensor, do you mean the dip stick?

[Dopey113]

No its an electrical wire (probably with a spade connection)  just have a look around the side of the engine, and pull it off at the spade, then give it a try, in not familiar with the type you have so i cant tell you exactly where it is, if you cant fine it, have a look in a parts book

[Dopey113]

It will look like the TOP of this, the rest is buried in the motor, tell me how you get along

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-LOW-OIL-SENSOR-SWITCH-8HP-9HP-11HP-13HP-FITS-HONDA-GX240-GX270-GX340-GX390-/120865700920?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c24283c38

[Scouse]

Hi the FG201 does not have a oil sensor.  I have taken out all the petrol from tank and loosened the fuel drain screw, from which more petrol came out.  It was quite fresh looking.  Is there away of blowing any muck out of the carb, or is it a strip down job done by a professional?

[nuzuki]

Try pouring petrol into where the air intake/filter is, you will only need a splash in there. Then try starting it

[Dopey113]

Fuel will go stale,best to replace it if its over 6 months old, clean it in either petrol or paraffin, helps if you have an airline to blow crud out 

[Scouse]

We have an air compressor at work, would it work if I placed end of air line in the air inlet?

[Dopey113]

Yea but clean it as best you can first, then let it soak over night, clean it out again, and then use the air, could just be the needle sticking, you can get carb cleaner, saves you faffing about and doing all that, could be just some crud sticking the needle ( if there is one) sorry but im in to car engines, and there so different from lawnmowers

[Scouse]

Hi again all,

Which carb cleaner would you recommend?  Do you know where I can get a maintenance manual for this machine as i don't want to start taking any old screw out to get to the carb?

 

[Dopey113]

Im new here, but i think there's a sticky some place, where you can upload them??? any carb cleaner will do, just go to a parts place or halfords (for over priced goods) and they have loads on the shelf

[Scouse]

  Hi found this on ebay Carplan 500ML CARB / CARBURETTOR CLEANER Aerosol will that do?

[Scouse]

I also have redex in the garage but that would need to be added to the petrol, so I don't think that will work until I can get the think running longer than a couple of seconds.  I did try again today but with the old fuel in it, it did start but then died straight away, so muck must be blocking the carb.