Hard starting 70

rrlund · Nov 15, 2010

I've got an Oliver 70 here,Zenith carb,the only way it will start is to give it a shot of either in the breather or take the breather tube right off and hold my hand over the carb inlet. The butterfly on the choke is closing all the way just fine. I can choke it until the gas runs right out of the carb and it won't fire at all or even smoke in the least. Put my hand over the carb,it starts right up. Stale gas or what? Any ideas?

BCnT · Nov 15, 2010

how's the compression on engine...weak compression = low intake vaccum
also look at the butterfly itself for wear and gap where it seals to venturi.
does engine start while your hand is still over inlet or rite after you pull hand away?

Larry from MD · Nov 15, 2010

Your hand makes a better seal than a choke will. I would look for bad manifold gaskets.

rrlund · Nov 15, 2010

The darned old thing has been sitting back in the corner of the tool shed for several years. It used to start like a dream when it was sitting out front and had to be moved quite often. The exhaust smells like the gas is old and stale,that's what made me wonder if that could cause the need to pull more in by choking it that way. Problem might be solved anyway if that's it. I just went out in the shop and the float had stuck and drained all the gas out of it. I've been starting it and shutting it off several times this morning and,warm,it starts alright by just using the choke. I'll put some fresh gas in and let it run a while and get good and warmed up and see what happens.

PopinJohn · Nov 15, 2010

Today's gasoline goes stale right away.
One thing I've noticed that, what was clear clean gasoline will turn orange right away in the neoprene hose (1 ft) from my filter to carb fuel inlet.
Drain and fresh comes in from the tank looking normal.
Couple weeks later, orange again.
????

JOCCO · Nov 15, 2010

Clean the carb also

Paul from MI · Nov 15, 2010

Probably gonna be OK with some fresh gas. If it's running OK when you finally got it started the carb is most likely ok. I had the same problem with my JD D, finally drained all the gas. Replaced it with fresh and towed it to start. After a bath with foul smelling gas it's running fine. Give it a shot of Sta-bil in the tank and run it enough to go thru the carb. New gas is nasty stuff!!

JDseller · Nov 15, 2010

Add a good conditioner/stabilizer to the new gas. I use "Sea Foam" (Yes buickdeere I know just cow pee) it has worked well for me for almost twenty years now. I use it in all of my gas engines that set very much. I use it in every tank. If still not starting I would look for an intake gasket leaking.

Hard starting 70

rrlund

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BCnT

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Larry from MD

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rrlund

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PopinJohn

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JOCCO

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Paul from MI

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JDseller

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