I an trying to get a neighbour's machine to start. He says it runs for a while but stalls. He says a mate of his (who is away atm) says it's usually the spark plug our fuel lines at fault. Upon inspection, I noticed there appeared to be dirt in the line so pulled it out and blew air through the main fuel line fun tank to carby and put it back. When I tried to prime, it wouldn't draw fuel and wouldn't start. I tried ether spray and the machine would fire momentarily but stall each attempt. I haven't got experience pulling apart a carby on these things. It sounds like a carburettor problem as well as a faulty primer. What Should I do?
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hopefully all the dirt's been caught by the mesh screen in the carby.
First, I would suggest back flushing the intake line and the big filter on the line with something pressurised - $1 degreaser is good
Then take the carby off (mind the breather hose on the filter housing) and undo the four screws on the bottom of the carb (I suggest work on a piece of white paper so nothing gets lost in rags or rolls off without noticing).
Removing the black plastic portion of the carby, you will see the metering diaphragm - if its pliable, all should be well.
Now remove the next metal portion (which will have the barbed main inlet fuel line connection on one side). Mind the conical spring on the fuel pump diaphragm. Look on the other side of the metal mid body and you will see the mesh gauze screen. Poke a small piece of welding rod or thick wire up the fuel line connection to pop the mesh out. Squirt through the mesh with degreaser and check there isn't any dirt under where the gauze sits.
Reassemble slowly and carefully and you should be good (you could film yourself disassembling if you are worried of losing anything
Unfortunately, thats the best I can describe it - just be methodical and you will be fine.
Hi Tyler and NormK, Thanks for your help there Tyler that link to YouTube was very detailed and gave me a lot of idea what I was in for. I appreciate your input too Norm as it gave me a good starting point on what the problem most likely was and my options. I decided to go further and clean out as many passages as possible with carby spray. I ended up tearing away a section of the gasket for the diaphragm trying to peel it off (see pic), but I decided to screw it back on and hoped tightening it down would keep it together enough to seal ok without having to replace it! In the end the engine started right up and it works well. The neighbour was pleased and so was I.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Yes the aftermarket Walbro K10-WYB is 2.14 USD plus shipping from DC Spares. I brought some the K10 and K20 WAT kit back in the earlier part of this year. I have install several of them and they seems to be well made. I just wish they have came out with the RB-186 kits I need for Stihl HS56 Hedgers.
