Log Splitter Trouble..HELP!

[freddvm]

I have a 20 Ton Northern Tool 20Ton Log Splitter witha 208cc Powerhorse Engine. I bought the unit iNew n June and have used is about 10 times with no problems. It sat unused for about a month and I went to start it and the trouble began!
The engine would start but then died after 3-4 second. It ran well but the exhaust was more white smoke than I remember. If I tried to restart the engine right away it would not run. If I leave it for 30 seconds or a couple of minutes it will start but again dies after a few seconds. Engine has normal amount of oil.

It seems to be to be something with fuel seeing as it runs but then dies. I changed the fuel (fuel had some water it in) and removed the carb and cleaned it all out including all the jets.

I checked the spark plug and it had a fair amount of dark oily residue on it but checked it against the block and it does have spark.

So frustrating as the engine is so new! And of course we lots a couple of big oak trees thanks to Irene so I need to put the unit to work!

I would appreciate any thoughts you all may have. Thanks!!

 

[dstig1]

I hate to say it, but is the fuel valve turned on? Otherwise you should take a look in the fuel tank to see if it is plugged or something first.

 

[2458n]

Could be the float and needle valve. Gas fills the carbs bowl and it runs until dry. When the thing sits the carb refills. I would check to make sure the fuel has a clear path and that the needle is dropping allowing the carb to fill.

 

[leonz]

Yup, you have fuel issues.

You need to pick up a bottle of Seafoam
to get your engine in working order and
check for debris in the fuel tank.

The big worry is the ethanol in the fuel
and the SeaFoam will fix that quickly for you.

Pour some Seafoam in the tank if you have
not drained the old gas and let it sit overnight
and it should fire right up.



_________________________________________________________________
Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[plumbstraight]

white smoke? sure you didn't put some diesel in when refueling? Of course they don't usually run at all, wife proved that with the lawnmower lol.

 

[mrmikey]

I had a problem with mine shortly after I built it. Would run for a minute or so then quit and would start right up a minute or so later just to do it again. Ended up the fuel tank wasn't vented, once I started leaving the fuel cap loose all was good.....Mike

 

[kebo]

Being that it was hardly 2 months old I would think that TSC would have covered whatever it was, or maybe even replaced the engine. I would at least have taken it back to them before taking the carb apart.

 

[Dead Horse]

white smoke? sure you didn't put some diesel in when refueling? Of course they don't usually run at all, wife proved that with the lawnmower lol.

nope, they don't..........

 

[alabama roughneck]

I had a problem with mine shortly after I built it. Would run for a minute or so then quit and would start right up a minute or so later just to do it again. Ended up the fuel tank wasn't vented, once I started leaving the fuel cap loose all was good.....Mike

Exactly what i first thiught of. It probably ran fine before because you didnt use enough fuel to create a vacuum in the tank

 

[brin]

Same thing happened with mine and it is from Northern...it was the ethanol in the gas in my opinion..I took off the filter and sprayed WD-40 into the carb. after emptying the gas tank and adding fresh gas and gas treatment and it started right up...Ethanol is your enemy..so I always run mine dry now.