LazerMag Express spraying gas out yellow button

[Swimmer]

The yellow button being the pressure relief when you pull the starter. When pulling to start, gas sprays out of this component. Did I just not notice this before or is this not normal? This is the first time trying to start this unit this year...in other words I discontinued trying to start it until I figure out the problem. I tightened it down with a socket, but same symptoms. Anything similar happen to anybody?

[Surface Tension]

The inlet valve on the carb is leaking and gas is running into the crankcase.

Pull the spark plug and pull it over till you notice the mist of fuel stop.

If you brought your cold auger into a warm place the pressure will rise in the tank and push gas past the inlet valve.

Or your inlet valve is just letting the gas run because its warn or a piece of debris that is keeping the valve from closing.

From now when you set the auger down keep the carb side up.

[Swimmer]

Thank you Surface Tension. I pulled the starter with the plug out until the gas stopped shooting out the relief valve put it together and presto, started right up. Still had a lot of black fuel coming out the muffler and dumped a bunch out of the muffler after I shut it off. I remember doing that last year too. It seems to run fine, so if it is a little rich, I guess that is OK.?

[bikeoutback]

Mine did the same last summer when I went to start it in July after putting it away post season. Gas was coming out of everywhere it seemed but especially the yellow button. I figured at the time the heat had and pressure had something to do with it. I didn't do as you were directed, will next time, I just finally somehow got it to run. Seemed to run fine so I put it away again only I vented it this time and left it. Start of ice fishing season it started and runs fine this year so no worries.

[Swimmer]

Vented it?

[bikeoutback]

The gas cap had the vent on it, I just opened it and left it till Fall. I just figured that like my gas cans that I have in summer they expand out when it gets warmer, I figured the auger did the same thing but the gas tank is hard plastic so it can't expand. It would still build pressure the same and I figured thus pushed gas into the rest of the auger causing the issue so I vented the gas cap and left the auger standing up. Not sure if that's good or bad but it never smelled of gas in the shed and everything worked fine in the Fall. This was the first year I stored the auger with gas in it, haven't decided how I'm going to store it this year.

[Surface Tension]

Your better off running a little rich then a little lean.

Venting the gas cap will keep the pressure from building up inside the tank.

The fuel in the muffler would be the same issue with fuel in the crankcase.

Keep the carb up when not in use and see how things go.

[bikeoutback]

Am I storing mine wrong then, I store it basically bungeed to a wall so that it's vertical like when drilling a hole, should I be storing it horizontal instead?

[Ed Carlson]

Ah...skip it..I reread the thread and see you got it figured out...good.

Great tips there too guys!

[Surface Tension]

Your storing it right.

IF your having problems with the gas flooding because of a bad inlet valve, storing it carb up will get you by till its fixed.

[Swimmer]

Maybe I'm needlessly extending this thread, but I'm trying to understand the makeup of the inlet valve. Is it a rubber thingy that dries out? Is it metal? Since it now runs fine does that mean that it is "fixed" -- some peice of debris that worked itself out or a seal that became re-lubed? Just wondering if this is something that I still need to get fixed, despite the fact that it now runs well?

[Surface Tension]

Its a needle and seat. They ware out, or get crud stuck in them and let gas by. Sounds like yours is fine now and could have been an isolated incident where a little pressure built up in the tank and pushed gas past the inlet valve.