How to Troubleshoot Your Two Stroke Engine
We have all been through a situation when you try to start the leaf blower or weed eater and it doesn’t work. The good news is you can fix the problem with some common tools and some mechanical knowledge. If you can fix the problem yourself, you will save yourself some money.
Things you will need to troubleshoot your two stroke engine:
- Common tools
- Basic mechanical skills and knowledge
- Look to see if the fuel is being used properly by taking off the spark plug to see if it is wet underneath. If you see the spark plug isn’t wet, you aren’t receiving any fuel. If this is the case, you will have to look at the fuel filter and fuel lines to see if they are clogged up. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, you will have to take out and clean the carburetor. Make sure the valves are open when you adjust the throttle. You will also have to close the carburetor all the way.
- Get a spark plug checker to see if you are receiving a good spark. A spark plug checker isn’t expensive and is very easy to work with. If you don’t have a spark plug checker, there are other methods to use. Take off the spark plug from the engine. Make sure you leave it plugged in the spark plug wire. Then grab the gaped end of the plug a few millimeters from a piece of metal that is grounded. At this point you can try to start the engine. If you don’t see a spark, you will have to change the spark plug. Then you will change the ignition coil and battery.
- Look at the air filter to be sure it isn’t clogged. Next you will check to see if the choke is working properly. It should be closed completely when you start it. When the engine starts, slowly open it up.