Strikemaster ice auger trouble starting

[Rially927]

I have an old strikemaster TC300 ice auger and have trouble starting it.  I took it to a small engine repair shop and got the carburetor cleaned a carburetor kit installed.  When it starts it runs awesome.  Trouble is I have a terrible time to get it started.  I will pull the rope 50 times and won't fire.  If I take a propane torch and heat the head a little it fires right off.  Any suggestions?

[tbern]

You probably checked the spark plug gap already, but if not could look at it or try a different plug.

[OldSailor]

Take back to the people who 'fixed' it!!! It's not fixed if you can't start it!!!! 

[Rially927]

It had a new plug in it when I took it to shop and they put another new one in it.  Does anyone know what the gap should be?

[Fish Butcher]

Maybe a hairline crack in a plastic fuel line elbow.

[hardwater diehard]

Ok try a new plug ...gap it .... how is the spark ...nice and bright ? Is your mix fresh ? Any leaks on the carb ...there is a plastic nipple insert that cracks on the seam and leaks and sucks air .Some carbs are sometimes times to far gone even for a rebuild .Could try a SeaFoam treatment.My auto mechanic buddy has rebuilt several SM carbs ...but one just would not work...new carb and it was race ready

Fill auger tank 1/4 w/proper oil/gas mix to that add Seafoam 2oz or more ...mix ....run auger till warmed up...then kill motor via the choke .....let sit half hour repeat ...let sit over night ...should fix some of the woes .

Should add location to your profile

DROCK ICE is good to work with ...should you need parts ...even a reasonably priced carburetor call and they will help with proper selection 

http://www.drockicecenter.com/640363-fuel-inlet-elbow/

http://www.drockicecenter.com/zama-carburetor/

[hardwater diehard]

It had a new plug in it when I took it to shop and they put another new one in it.  Does anyone know what the gap should be?

believe its .30......Champion CJ6Y...works in mine and all my buddies SM Mag 2000

[hardwater diehard]

http://www.smallenginesuppliers.com/html/engine-specs/tecumseh/Tecumseh_2-Cycle_Engines_Service_Information.pdf

[Rially927]

I use aviation fuel mixture.  Before I took it to the shop it would start right off but would only run for 30 seconds or so but would not rev. and and then would die and could not get it to start after that until it sat for a bit.. They got it to run and rev.  After it is started and runs now for a bit I can shut it off and it will start on first pull every time until it gets cold again..

[hardwater diehard]

That nipple is not included in any rebuild kit ...my buddy has his quit between start ups on the ice ... I have had plugs just quit on ice also ...broke my cord on that day trying to start it ..lil fix of the cord and new plug good to go ...plugs need to be gapped too


try the SeaFoam technique I posted earlier ...I store mine wet ...and start once a month or so ...only use ethanol regular grade fuel ....Opti2.. and a shot of SeaFoam.

[Rially927]

OK thanks ..I will try.. I also use opti2.. Now here's a dumb question.  On my auger I says use 25:1 mixture.  Opti2 says it's good for all mixtures no matter what the ratio.. Do you mix you opti2 to the proper ratio or just to the ratio opti2 suggests?

[hardwater diehard]

OK thanks ..I will try.. I also use opti2.. Now here's a dumb question.  On my auger I says use 25:1 mixture.  Opti2 says it's good for all mixtures no matter what the ratio.. Do you mix you opti2 to the proper ratio or just to the ratio opti2 suggests?

I get the one gallon pouch of OPTI2 ...mix one gallon of ethanol gas ...shot of SeaFoam ...

http://opti2-4.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29778

[Rially927]

Ok. I have the bottles but it has the marks on the side and I do as it says..thx

[FG Steve]

believe its .30......Champion CJ6Y...works in mine and all my buddies SM Mag 2000

Yup it's .030

http://stevelarsen.com/ice_shanty/tc300.pdf

[DR.SPECKLER]

sounds like its running lean in cold temps being if you heat the head up it fires easily..main jet to small maybe? adjust the carb screws yet.?plug gap wont do that imo. 

[Fish Butcher]

Very important. Replace THAT PLASTIC NIPPLE. Very important.

[jopes]

Could be a weak coil.  You head up the combustion chamber making the fuel mixture easier to ignite

[hardwater diehard]

Also make sure both the gas tank and the fuel line are clean ...old  oil/gas mix could of dried up ...and flake off particles ...gas lines can break down and flake off also.

[jackpine]

I fought my TC300 for several years before I finally figured it out.

The fix: Check the gap between the flywheel and magneto(i think that's what it's called). There are 2 screws that hold the gap, I had 1 of  the screws come loose.

Take a business card and place it between the flywheel and the magneto. It should just be snug. It does not hurt to clean both surfaces of the 2 parts. Tighten 2 screws with your new gap set.

This worked for me, never seen this before.

[theangling1]

It had a new plug in it when I took it to shop and they put another new one in it.  Does anyone know what the gap should be?

.030

[theangling1]

Maybe a hairline crack in a plastic fuel line elbow.

agreed, I had strikemaster mag 3 given to me that did the same thing and had sat for 7 years. Once I changed the inlet connector (it was cracked so Im thinking after it set for a while it would lose vacuum and let air in fuel line) it would start easier, ran some carb cleaner thru it, new plug and properly adjusted carb and now she fires 1st or 2nd pull.

[hardwater diehard]

agreed, I had strikemaster mag 3 given to me that did the same thing and had sat for 7 years. Once I changed the inlet connector (it was cracked so Im thinking after it set for a while it would lose vacuum and let air in fuel line) it would start easier, ran some carb cleaner thru it, new plug and properly adjusted carb and now she fires 1st or 2nd pull.

Those nipples can leak fuel something fierce ...so finding and fixing is EZPZ...but when they just suck air or seep just a little ...you will chase your tail round and round ...new plug...new gas/oil mix...proper/re-gap everything ... checking spark over and over...checking for water in the gas....replacing the gas cap ...spray/rebuild the carburetor ....that little nipple 

[theangling1]

Those nipples can leak fuel something fierce ...so finding and fixing is EZPZ...but when they just suck air or seep just a little ...you will chase your tail round and round ...new plug...new gas/oil mix...proper/re-gap everything ... checking spark over and over...checking for water in the gas....replacing the gas cap ...spray/rebuild the carburetor ....that little nipple 

LOL... this site is awesome, thanks for all the help.

[hardwater diehard]

LOL... this site is awesome, thanks for all the help.

My buddy ordered 10+ from D rock ice....then used a couple for replacements in several buddy's augers ...then squired them away...then found the stash  two years later..lil pricey to order just one ...priceless when you need one ..order several .