Re: Starting Procedure

[Don]

Well, as usual, I’m cornfused. You mention electric start tiller motors in your first post, then go on to talk about a key switch. So, my question is do you have an electric solenoid/primer, or the manual three position primer mounted on the engine pan? These different style primers have completely different operational procedures.
Like others have said, both systems require that the fuel primer bulb be pumped up first, or the primers won’t work properly. The electric primer is NOT a pump, only a valve that opens when you push the key in. The manual primer is a pump, but there must be fuel pumped up and into the manual primer in order for the pump to work when you pull the knob all the way out. Keep in mind that the manual primer has THREE positions: OFF/WARM UP/PRIME
This system can be frustrating for new owners because they pull the knob out and release it a few times to prime the engine, then start the engine, only to find it won’t idle once warmed up. This is because the manual primer was left in the warm up position which allows a little bit of fuel to bypass the primer into the carb while warming up. Once the engine is warmed up, this extra bit of fuel floods the engine at idle causing it to stall, the customer did not realize the knob must be pushed all the way back in once warmed up.
Like Frank says, the electric primer usually requires that the key switch be pushed in and held in while cranking (with warm up lever raised a bit). Once the engine starts, you can release the key from the prime position, but you will usually need to tap it in every few seconds during warm up to keep it running. The engine RPM should be between 1500-2000RPM during warm up, revving the engine excessively creates a cold running condition, along with the obvious mechanical hazards.
The one problem you will see happens on both systems. Debris gets caught in the brass nipple near on the carb near the intake manifold. Technicians are often fooled when they pull the primer line off the nipple, then activate the electric/pull the manual primer and see fuel squirting out of the hose assuming the system is working properly. But, the fuel is not being pumped into the carb throat because the brass nipple is plugged up.