Older Strikemaster Auger Help!

[BRULEDRIFTER]

I have an approximately 12-15yr old SM Mag 2000, old Techumse engine. It's been the ultimate in reliability for me over the years and still is.  However, something just isn't right with it.  In order to get it started this year, I need to have the choke on, and hold the throttle wide open to get it to go, and it usually takes a half-dozen pulls or more to go.  I even have to do this when it's warm. She always goes, but obviously something isn't right.  

 

Can anyone point me in the direction of what I may be dealing with?  It seems like it's not getting gas, so is it a carb issue? Thanks for any help! 

 

 

[fishingstar]

sounds like the carb needs to be cleaned.

[leech~~]

How old is the gas in it? Try dumping and remixing some fresh gas and if not that, time for a carb clean and rebuild. 15 years is a pretty good run without ever cleaning the carb. I have the same auger.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

I cleaned and rebuilt the carb a few years ago, but it was my first attempt at ever doing such a thing. I think I did everything right.....? It ran good after I did it so I figured I did it right. Wondering if an adjustment needs to be made?

Gas is from my small outboard kicker from this summer, mixed 50:1. The last handful of years I ran Amsoil synthetic @80:1 through the auger. Can't imagine that is causing it. I had similar issues last year with it too.

Edited February 9, 2017 by BRULEDRIFTER

[Surface Tension]

 It is only hard to start but runs fine at higher RPM without choke?

 

Starving for gas.  1st the easy stuff.

  Eliminate the possibility of a vacuum in the gas tank by opening the gas cap and then tighten.

Check for plugged filter inside the gas tank.  Before you take the filter off remove the gas line from carb and see if the fuel gravity flows. If it does that isn't the problem.

  You could try carb adjust but that isn't a fix for a dirty carb. What you can do is remove the mixture screws and hope any debirs flushes out as you pull the engine off with choke on full and gas line hooked up.   Before you remove the screws, turn them in till lightly seated counting the turns as you go. 

Replace screws to original position and try starting.  Still have the problem, turn the low speed mixture screw out a 1/8 turn and try it.  Repeat.

 

 If that doesn't work its time to take the carb apart again and clean it.  Bring the carb to a small engine shop and ask for the rebuilt kit.

 

 It is only hard to start but runs fine at higher RPM without choke?

 

Starving for gas.  1st the easy stuff.

  Eliminate the possibility of a vacuum in the gas tank by opening the gas cap and then tighten.

Check for plugged filter inside the gas tank.  Before you take the filter off remove the gas line from carb and see if the fuel gravity flows. If it does that isn't the problem.

  You could try carb adjust but that isn't a fix for a dirty carb. What you can do is remove the mixture screws and hope any debirs flushes out as you pull the engine off with choke on full and gas line hooked up.   Before you remove the screws, turn them in till lightly seated counting the turns as you go. 

Replace screws to original position and try starting.  Still have the problem, turn the low speed mixture screw out a 1/8 turn and try it.  Repeat.

 

 If that doesn't work its time to take the carb apart again and clean it.  Bring the carb to a small engine shop and ask for the rebuilt kit.

 

[AlwaysFishing23]

How does it idle once started and warm?

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Once it's running, I turn choke off and it runs fine wide open cutting holes. Once it's warm it idles fine.

 

Thanks ST! I will attempt those and see what happens. I always open the vent on the gas cap when I run it. 

 

I'm planning on upgrading to a Nils and a cordless drill for next year, but would like to keep the SM going for a back-up or to sell if I choose to.  

[bottomdweller]

If you take it in just put a new carb on it.  Save money on cleaning, just did mine 80 bucks for a new carb installed runs like it used to

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Update:  

 

Put some fresh gas in, sprayed the carb valve with some cleaner and cleaned the filter.  Also adjusted the idle speed up a bit. Runs great again!

 

Thanks for the advice and help everyone! 

Edited February 24, 2017 by BRULEDRIFTER

[fsnrod]

On 2/24/2017 at 3:26 PM, BRULEDRIFTER said:

Update:  

 

Put some fresh gas in, sprayed the carb valve with some cleaner and cleaned the filter.  Also adjusted the idle speed up a bit. Runs great again!

 

Thanks for the advice and help everyone!  I'm curious whats the carb valve?

 

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Whatever the hole is going into the carb behind the blue filter on the gas tank.  Seems like a valve to me, but I'm not a mechanic. 

Edited March 22, 2017 by BRULEDRIFTER