is flooding a "normal" thing?

[rough_rider]

1st time gas-auger owner. I encountered the dreaded "flooded engine" while on a fishing trip (my whole trip would have been ruined but I got some guys nearby to drill me holes!) This was my first time ever so I almost refunded my product out of frustration. I was able to fire it up following the StrikeMaster manual (take plug out, pull the recoil several times with full throttle on)

My question is: is flooding a regular occurence? How bad is it for the engine or spark plug? Should I always have a wrench with me then in case I need to clear the chamber on the lake?

[waskawood]

I have an older Strikemaster and have never had a flooding issue. I am not sure which model you have as they have changed engines. That being said, I always carry extra spark plugs for all my motor run toys just in case. I follow the Boy Scouts motto when fishing. "Always be prepared".

[hawgchaser]

My old Esky has never flooded in 30 years. Do you have a choke? I choke any cold engine until it fires. Once it fires, I move my auger choke to half open and it usually starts next pull. It soon starts chugging and I open the choke (move it to off). I carry a plug wrench but have never needed to use it. If it would flood, I'd take the plug out & disconnect the plug wire...then pull the rope a few times to force the gas out of the cylinder.

[rough_rider]

......in the product's defense, it was user error: I set the auger down while it was running and the slow rotation of the blades caused it to tip over while running and it cut itself off soon after. now in my defense, I did say this was my first ever gas auger!!!! =P

It's a new SM 2HP Solo.

[brian6715]

I think you are thinking flooding is a huge deal, it's really not. If you ever have something flood, set it down and wait 10-15 mins and simply start it again.

[leech~~]

Every motor Auger, Chain saw, Lawn mower, weed wacker has it's own way that it likes to start. Full choke, 1/2 choke, a little gas, no gas. You just have to learn what it likes!

[Jeremy airjer W]

I agree with Leech, Once you get some experience with it you will start to understand what it likes and what it does not like.

Flooding can happen but is not the norm. Choke off, throttle wide open, and a few pulls of the rope should get it cleared out.

[ozzie]

here is a tip for you using your auger...never lay it down while it is running!! Turn it off before laying it down and restart. Once the auger has ran, starting them back up in the next ten minutes after, they should start easily.

[Kyhl]

Every motor Auger, Chain saw, Lawn mower, weed wacker has it's own way that it likes to start. Full choke, 1/2 choke, a little gas, no gas. You just have to learn what it likes!

Another example, cars before fuel injection became standard. In the winter time pump a carbureted Ford 5 times before touching the key. Then keep pumping each time it turned over. On the other hand never touch the gas on a carbureted Chevy before it starts turning or it would flood.

That was my experience with them.

You won't have any more issues once you get some experience with it and learn what not to do.

We are spoiled with the electronic fuel injection on everything. But I do love the fuel injection on my boat motor. Starts in a second in any weather. So I'll take being spoiled.

[CaptainMusky]

To add to it, always let your auger idle back down after drilling a hole before turning it off. When the idle slows it has used up the extra fuel that was in there from drilling the hole.

The Solo can be a very picky bugger to start. I have it down now and havent had an issue all year, but your problem may NOT have been created by letting it run while laying down.

I have found when restarting a solo after it has been run recently (depends how cold it is outside as to how long "recently" means) that simply putting the choke on (moving lever to start) and pulling until it fires, then moving lever to Run is the best way. Do NOT touch the primer.

If it is super cold out or it has been a considerable amount of time since it ran, prime it once or twice, choke set to start pull until it fires, move choke to Run.

I havent had to make more than 3 pulls all season when following these steps.

That is provided I remember to set the killswitch prior to trying to start. LOL

[fishnowworknever]

Huh. Sounds like you need to carry some tools along with you on those trips...I have a tool box in my truck at all times.