Auger cold blooded

[Mr.Seaguar]

My auger refused to start this morning. I would like to blame my lack of maintenance or my less than exact oil ratio management. But, as soon as we warmed it up in the pickup, it started right off. There was gas coming out of the muffler. Which is not surprising after at least 200 pulls. Is there a plug issue, like fouling or something? It has had problems restarting when its cold since I got it. Is it just a lemon or do all 2hp augers have issues. If I get another auger will my problems be solved? Thanks

[Traxion]

What does it do when you first pull on it???  Obviously you flooded it if you had gas coming out the muffler, was there gas coming out right away or later on?  here is what I would recommend for you starting procedure.  Give it about 10 pulls w/o the choke on.  If nothing happens, then choke it for no more than three pulls.  Then pull w/ choke off for a few pulls.  It should start by then.  Have you changed your spark plug recently???  The worst thing you can do to an engine is flood it when its cold out, it takes a long time for gas to evaporate when its 0 outside.  By taking it into your truck, I'm sure it was warm enough in there to speed evaporation of the gas and lets it get cleaned out enough to start.  

Eric

[Mr.Seaguar]

Gas started coming out somewhere between pulls 120 and 150. I have a routine that I follow this and every time. Pull w choke. Pull w/o choke with throttle depressed. Pull with choke. Fires 98% of the time on third pull. I`m gonna change plug and see if that helps.

[Tombo]

I was surprised the other way this AM. My auger sat out in cold all night and I put the choke on,held the throttle open and on the 4 pull it started-The temp here this morning was -32C. Iwas amazed this is an old OSC magnum auger but, new plug and fresh gas are a must every winter. I find holding the throttle open (with or without primer )works better for me. I learned this starting chainsaws in the bush on mornings like this. good luck--I know those 2cycle can be frustrating.

[Mr.Seaguar]

I just wish mine would get stolen or burn up or something. That would solve the problem.

[darossman]

Just a word on gas mixture.  Strikemaster augers call for a 24 to 1 ratio.  I personally believe this to be way to rich.  Every one of my Stihl chainsaws run a 50:1 mix.  I recently have been running my Strikemaster auger at a 50:1 ratio and it runs better than it ever has.  I think that companies are afraid to tell you the leanest mixture do to legal liablility if you burn up the engine.  Lean them out even if it is just 36:1.  Just my opinion.

[trapperdirk]

You know Darossman . I've been wondering about this 24-1 mixture myself on my Jiffy30 .
  Seems awful rich to me too but it is what Jiffy reccomends . Hope someone here can explain if this rich a mixture is required . Seems like many of the brands use Tecumseh engines too but have a different mixture ratio.
  Whats up with that .?

[Bob_D]

All Tecumseh engines are designed to run at 24:1. Yes it will run on 50:1 with the new and better oils. However, do not expect the engine to last very long. The lean mixture WILL slowly distroy those motors.

If you want a 50:1 machine go out and buy a Nils Master, Normark, Or a Eskimo Shark.

[darossman]

Thanks for the heads up...
Going on 7 years with this Tecumseh at 50:1.  Here is a link that is very informative from Strikemaster.  Note the part about oil seeping out of the muffler. http://www.strikemaster.com/service_issues.html

[RyGuy]

Your auger is not cold blooded at all.  You have to play around with those 2 cycles.  Being cold do think maybe your gas was a little solid and the warm truck thawed out the gas? I have seen that before on more than one occassion.

[cold_feet]

My thought on this
Leaning out the Motor will kill it sooner than you think. First its a Tecumseh Motor. Not exacly the best out their. Built cheap and the auger manufactures make more money putting these things on their augers. 24to1 is what is recomended because of the internal components either they have been fit for a tighter tollerance and the heat developed while running will expand the parts makeing the motor seize or their are no bearings on moveing parts just Bushings which in any case leaning out the oil will Gall the bearing surface and when you need it most BOOOM. I have been helping a few guys here with their auger problems and I've drawn a conclusion that they are hard starting after you arrive at the lake or when you get out on the ice. My thought of the problem is this. When you haul the auger on its side the vibration of the ride allows the fuel from the carb to enter the cylinder through the carb Flooding the motor before you even try to start it.The fuel cap they put on is dripless which through the vibration pressurizes the system forcing fuel through the carb. When you have gas pooring out the exaust this is obvious. Taking the plug out and pulling the rope a few times will clear out the fuel and add air to the cyl. makeing it able to start. But if you really want to cure the problem look at the fuel line and guess what there is no shut off valve. Drain out the gas take the line off go to a small engine shop or Snowmobile shop and get a valve with a little more fuel line Mount the valve on the auger when you are done at the end of the day start the auger close the valve run it dry and the next time you fish it won't be flooded. Also if you do flood the machine you could shut off the fuel pull a few times to clear it and it will fire then open the valve again. The other way to stop this would be to haul the auger so it is upright. A real pain in the butt. Or try hauling it with the carb pointing down this will allow the fuel to run out the carb onto something under it . Still a mess. Also on cold days run a tablespoon to a gal. of Isoprophil dry gas. This will help the fuel from gelling. One thing to do during the summer is take off the Muffler and was it in gas outside let it soak for a few hours with a 2 stroke they have a tendency to carbon up and choke the exaust from flowing better.
Just My .02
Cold Feet

[grumpymoe]

geeeeez!!! gas coming out between 120-150 pulls. if you want, i'll send you my old axe so you can get your lines in quicker    i would run a bit leaner at 40:1 (how long does an auger run at any given time compared to a chainsaw or lawnmower) ?? grump

[Fishrmn]

Mr.Seauar,

I've got an old Eskimo 2 hp auger that used to give me fits.  I used to get more exercise trying to start it than using a hand auger to cut 3 or 4 dozen holes.  I would always take the hand auger out with me so I could at least get fishin'.

I found a great gas stabilizer, "Sea Foam" that saved me from committing insurance fraud.  I was hoping to have the damn thing "stolen", so I could get a replacement.  I put 2 oz. of Sea Foam per gallon of gas, and I keep a can of Deep Creep (which is aerosol Sea Foam) handy.  It is a great starting fluid, and will work in 2 cycle engines.  

My old Eskimo starts on the second pull now.  I guess I'll have to keep it another 15 years or so.

Fishrmn

[pa ice man]

old 3 hp eskimo 8 in auger just keep good gas mixed 30 to one ad heet dry gass starts first or 2 pull    wen its very cold it runs better just lean it out a bit to much fuel will it wont get top end lisen to it and adjust have a frend help must be done when  cuting for best rezults if it starts with out choking its too rich start 1/5 choke when cold no choke when hot