It won't start....why?

[todesto]

Hi, all.
I have a old Elite 150 (22 years old....wow), but it is in good shape and was running fine until last summer. I stored in the garage and detached the battery (replace with new one last year) as I do always when I don't operate more than a week. I tried to start it yesterday after recharging the battery, but it won't engage. When I press start, I hear the sound indicating it is turning, but won't run.
Last time I had a similar problem about 2 years ago, and had a servic. It turned out I had a rust in gas tank causing the flow problem in fuel line and cleaned it. The tech said I have to fill the gas full if I was planning to store it for long period of time. I did that by filling the gas tank up full before winter (during the time I don't drive). Could this be same problem? Can that (fule line blockage) happend if I don't drive for long time even I fill up the gas tank?
Any remedy for this? Please help. :)

[OldGuy1]

Hi, all.
I have a old Elite 150 (22 years old....wow), but it is in good shape and was running fine until last summer. I stored in the garage and detached the battery (replace with new one last year) as I do always when I don't operate more than a week. I tried to start it yesterday after recharging the battery, but it won't engage. When I press start, I hear the sound indicating it is turning, but won't run.
Last time I had a similar problem about 2 years ago, and had a servic. It turned out I had a rust in gas tank causing the flow problem in fuel line and cleaned it. The tech said I have to fill the gas full if I was planning to store it for long period of time. I did that by filling the gas tank up full before winter (during the time I don't drive). Could this be same problem? Can that (fule line blockage) happend if I don't drive for long time even I fill up the gas tank?
Any remedy for this? Please help. :)

I've had great luck with a Gold Eagle product called Sta-bil.

Gold Eagle Sta-bil (http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/)

It's available everywhere around here and you can run it year-around. I've been using it for years with no detrimental effects. Even used to use it in race cars.

[todesto]

by putting this in, will this start the engine?

[Lennox]

by putting this in, will this start the engine?


NOPE! it will only help prevent the same problem again.

to get it started, you most likely need a new plug, and new fuel. Your carb might even need cleaned.

[Skullet]

that was the problem with mine.. i have an 85 as well, but mines an elite 80. just cleaned the carb and ran a small wire through the jet and she fired right up.

[OldGuy1]

that was the problem with mine.. i have an 85 as well, but mines an elite 80. just cleaned the carb and ran a small wire through the jet and she fired right up.

If your going to run a wire through make sure it's a soft copper wire. Jets are very susceptible to scratching.

Thanks for clearing that up Lennox. :) I should have made it clear in my original post about Sta-bil.

[Skullet]

im not actually the one that did it, i paid a guy cuz i didnt know what was wrong with it and wanted to ride. lol... but from what he told me, using a single strand of stripped speaker wire would be good. no?

[OldGuy1]

im not actually the one that did it, i paid a guy cuz i didnt know what was wrong with it and wanted to ride. lol... but from what he told me, using a single strand of stripped speaker wire would be good. no?

Speaker wire is usually copper.

[todesto]

NOPE! it will only help prevent the same problem again.

to get it started, you most likely need a new plug, and new fuel. Your carb might even need cleaned.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Here is my NEWB question. How do you clean carb? What is Carb? :i

[Ypedal]

Carb , carburator..

Device that regulates fuel to the engine.

It combines air and fuel into a combination required for the motor.

Basically, you have tiny things called " Jets " that have very specific sized holes in them that are interchangable depending on your needs, larger holes allow more fuel,, smaller holes will restric the fuel and the perfect combination makes for a happy motor.

Gouging these tiny pre-set holes even a slight amount can change the mix enough to create problems. that's why the nylon bristle suggestions above. The jets are usually Brass ( soft metal )

:---

[Ypedal]

no edit on here huh.....

Those jets tend to clog easily with old fuel that turns into varnish over time. and clogged jets = poor running motor..

[todesto]

Thanks for the reply. How do you get diagram for the carb? Is this something you goes thru gas tank?

[Skullet]

Speaker wire is usually copper.

lol... i know, i meant size-wise. not sure how big the hole in a stock jet is, some single copper strands are still pretty big, depending on what type of wire you pull it out of.

[Ypedal]

Carb cleaner in a spray can ( or a dip can ) then compressed air !

Hold on tight to that sucker with cloves, or at least a rag, but don't hold thing in your bare fingers are rushing air can BURN... _o

But for the love of god.. don't let it go ! ( Yes.. i have lost a few in the garage .... brass rocket !!! ) and blast it with an air compressor.

Nylon bristles out of a house broom work well.

[OldGuy1]

Carb cleaner in a spray can ( or a dip can ) then compressed air !

Hold on tight to that sucker with cloves, or at least a rag, but don't hold thing in your bare fingers are rushing air can BURN... _o

But for the love of god.. don't let it go ! ( Yes.. i have lost a few in the garage .... brass rocket !!! ) and blast it with an air compressor.

Nylon bristles out of a house broom work well.
Oh Gloves. I had pictures of trying to hold it with cloves of garlic. Something about vampires? ..laugh..

[Ypedal]

Damit.. i hate this no-edit policy.. i really need to slow down when i type ... ,.,.dance.

Yes, gloves..

or Quote " but don't hold thing in your bare fingers are rushing air can BURN... "

should be , Don't hold the jet with your bare fingers, as the rushing air can burn your skin "