Jiffy runs, but then constantly needs priming

[pos1]

My old Jiffy died. I had an extra head unit that's been sitting in my garage attic for ~15 years. Never used. New in the box.

I put in a new plug, gas and fired it up. Have been using it for about 1 month. But, every time I use it I need to hit the primer bulb about every 10 seconds to keep it running (and I run it at 1/2 choke). So, to get through 24 inches of ice I prime it 4-5 times (I probably need new blades). It's like it's not pulling gas from the tank on its own.

Other than that problem it starts fine and runs fine. It won't idle very well on its own (I suspect there's an idle adjustment?).

Any ideas?

[laportian]

diaphragm might need to be replaced. That might cure the needing to prime it. To get it to idle up there are two screws on the carb side by side. The one closest to the motor is your idle. Turn that sucker a tiny little wee bit at a time counter clockwise to get your idle up. Did I mention a tiny bit at a time? There is also a throttle adjustment up higher its a smaller screw yet. Turn that on clockwise to make it throttle up a bit. Good luck.

PS I got one of these tanks too and Im running mine to the shop to get it rebuilt this morning. It has frustrated me to no end this past month.

[Surface Tension]

You'll find the owners manual Here along with location of mixture screws.

If your not able to get it running properly then a carb cleaning and possibly new kit.

The Model 30 was notorious for having to be primed while running and that was from improper metering level adjustment. In a nutshell not enough fuel getting into the carb and the engine starved for gas.

This adjustment is very sensitive. Metering lever should be flush with the floor of the carb body. I've found that a hair above that to be better. Go too far and it'll leak gas past the inlet valve.

[Canuck]

If I could only get my jiffy to run. It runs and runs very smoothly when it is warm out BUT it is for ice fishing. When it is cold it will not start, no matter how much I prime it etc. I have it to 2 mechanics and the last one I know is very good and he could not figure it out. The auger is relatively new and has been like this right out of the box. Thank heavens I have an old Jiffy and it starts 1st or 2nd pull after 3 primes. ANY ideas???? I fish out on Lake Winnipeg so it rides out on my sled and no way to really keep it warm. HELP PLEASE

Jim

[bbfenatic]

But, every time I use it I need to hit the primer bulb about every 10 seconds to keep it running (and I run it at 1/2 choke).

Any ideas?

I thought that is how all Jiffy's work. Whenever I hear someone in the area start up a Jiffy (and you can tell right away it's a Jiffy) I start hollering....PRIME IT, PRIME IT!!!!

[chad austin]

Sounds to me like it's sucking air, I'd check your gas line for a pin hole leak to start with

[eurolarva]

Two stoke motors rely on oil from the gas to lubricate the motor. When the motor is running lean like yours is you are at a higher risk of burning out the motor. If the motor has been sitting a long time and there was gas in the tank your fuel hose in the gas tank could be deteriorating. I have been seeing this in my older two stroke motors like a weed wacker and my chain saw. Both required new fuel line from the gas tank to the carb. 9 out of 10 times with a lean motor the carb is the need to clean and do a rebuild. Rebuild kits are around 10 bucks but if you dont know what you are doing you could do more damage then good.

If your auger wont start in the cold but starts good in the warm you might be running to much oil. The old day strikemasters wanted 24 to 1 and if you mixed it that strong good luck starting it when it is cold. Most of these augers are now running 40 to 1 and will start much better in the cold. When you run 40 to 1 you want to make sure you are using a good quality oil and synthetic is usually better

[pos1]

You'll find the owners manual Here along with carb adjustments.

If your not able to get it running properly then a carb cleaning and possibly new kit.

If this was brand new and never had gas in it, there's no reason it would need a cleaning or carb kit, correct? isn't gas the only thing that messes with carbs?

[Surface Tension]

If the carb was as clean as it was when new then it would run without issue.

Diaphragms dry out, brass tarnishes, aluminum oxidizes, and steel rusts. It doesn't take much of either to cause a little restriction. Lack of use isn't good for an engine and sitting for 15 years without a film of oil on the cylinder wall and bushings/bearings is bad too.

The moisture from the air along with impurities will cause all of the above.

As said try the carb adjustments 1st and then the carb clean and kit.

[Canuck]

Thank you guys. I am going to change the gas line hose. I seems that is the only thing I or the mechanics have not tried. I am aware of the carb getting a coating and I always run Sea Foam and use new high test fuel every year. This auger is one of the newer ones and says it is supposed to be the 40 to 1 mixture, oh yes I am using synthetic oil.

I really appreciate it. If it means anything Lake Winnipeg is on fire for Greenbacks (walleye), lots in the 28" range.

Jim.

[pos1]

Last night I first made a minor adjustment to the idle screw, which made an awesome difference. Then, I tweaked the other screw some so it would run at full speed. Within minutes I had an auger that idled and ran at full speed without the need to prime.

I then turned it off, let it sit for 20 minutes, started it up and everything worked awesome. Now, it was 30 degrees last night. The real test will come this weekend when it's 10 degrees.

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Canuck]

Well I check out the primer and it is working. I primed it the normal amount (3) and no luck. Then gave it 20 still no luck. I primed the h--- out of it and still not luck. Check for an air leak but nothing found.

Used a small hose and put a very small amount of fuel in the carb and it fired right off. It ran with the choke on and warmed up. Put the choke to half then finally totally off and it ran like it should. I shut it off and waited a few minutes and put the choke on and it started on first pull. Put the choke off and it ran smooth as a baby's behind. Can not figure this thing out.

When you pull the line off and prime it the bulb stay in. It just wont suck up gas when cold. At least I have one that run on 1st or 2nd pull with 3 primes. I hate it when I can't figure things like this out. I have sent an email to Jiffy but no response. I will give them a couple of days the call them. The mechanic has suggested I swap carbs to see if that works. Not that cold tonight (-25C) so will see in the morning. Will use my old one this weekend anyways. THANKS guys.

[Surface Tension]

pos1, when tuning the low and high speed mixture you want to come from a rich mixture to lean.

When you first hit the highest RPM stop at idle stop there and make a 1/4 out(counterclockwise).

This will ensure you have good cold starts.

The high mixture speed can be tweaked on the ice depending on how it runs with a load.

Canuck, the stuck primer bulb. Be sure the gas tank is vented and you don't have a vacuum in the tank. Next would be the check for restriction on that line.

[hamms-scooter]

If all these ideas are leading to future frustration and back aches sell and buy Tanaka. I get it though. You have a near new powerhead and close to getting it going... Good luck with the project

[Farley]

Had the same problem. Ran some seafoam through it in the gas mixture then started using AMSoil SAbre at 100-1 and havent had the issue again.