Everyone has there own methods. Here's one of mine when a) a carburetored engine wont't start, b) the engine has been setting a long time, or c) the engine is notorius for being difficult to start when cold.
If you don't smell unburnt gasoline after cracking the starter for a little while:
1)Remove the air filter and squirt/pour a small amount of gasoline into the barrels of the carburetor. You can use the accelerator jets by pumping the throttle, but you should look to confirm that fuel is actually being added.
2)Now waited for one minute, a full 60 seconds. This gives time for gasoline vapors to form in the manifold. It's the vapors that burn, not the liquid gasoline.
3)After waiting one minute, press and hold the gas pedal 1/2 to 3/4 open and use the starter to try and start the engine. No need to pump the throttle. If your ignition is functioning properly, some time between 3 to 6 seconds of turning over, the engine should at least fire. In a primitive way, you are feeding the engine a wide range of fuel/air mixtures. If it fires and momentarily runs, sometimes pumping the throttle will help keep it running, but don't act too quickly.
4) Repeat steps 2 & 3 if it temporily fired, died, failing to fire again.
Don't add excessive fuel, you can wash oil off the cylinder walls. Don't over rev the cold engine if it starts, so be quick with the gas pedal adjustment if necessary.
This may allow you to at least get the engine running so you can troubleshoot for leaks, fuel mixture adjustments, loose or bad spark plug wires, etc.
I have also used the above method successfully on difficult to-start-when-cold lawn mowers, that have the gasoline primer squeeze bulbs. The mower may take more speezes than the manual states.
Last edited by Winter; 05/06/13 11:19 AM.
