Advice needed - Jiffy Model 30 Starting Problems

[fuzzyray]

Hey everyone. I was hoping I could get a a few tips that I could try to get my Model 30 Jiffy Auger running better. It's an older unit (12 years old or so) and it ran pretty much fine up until this season. The problem I am having is that it just will not start when it is cold. Once it's sat in a warm fish house or garage it will fire up with one pull. I've replaced the plug and that didn't help. It does get gas and will flood if pulled too many times (when it doesn't start). I could take it in and have it looked at but I enjoy working on things myself (although I haven't messed around much with small engines yet). Any ideas would be appreciated.

[minneman]

On my older Jiffy 30, I primed it till gas was literaly dripping from the carb area, 1-2 drops was a good sign. If I didnt see it, I would have a harder time getting it going. I never had to choke it either, when it was very cold it would stop running if I couldnt prime it more. kept priming it (as needed) till it was warmed up.

[Ed Carlson]

Try a new plug and add a dose of Sea Foam to the gas to clean out the carb. 1 oz to a tank of mix is plenty.

If it still will not idle well when allowed a 30 second warm up period then adjust the idle mixture needle open a bit and see if it idles and starts better.

You have some years on this unit so it may be time for a carb kit and a general tune-up. You may be $$ ahead by allowing a reparable small engine shop look it over so you know what you got for sure.

[Wishin2BFishin]

I have an old Jiffy Model 30 and have found it hard to start sometimes when it has not been used for a while. If I back out the mixture screw on the carb one full turn then try to start it that works pretty well. Then after it runs a bit put the mixture screw back in where it was. The Seafoam is a good idea as well. Best of luck with your Jiffy. I got mine used for $50.00 about 20 years ago and it's still working great!

[Hemlock]

How about another Jiffy Model 30 question...about 12 years old too. It starts great, idles great, but for the first two or three holes, it dies after about 7 seconds of cutting. This happens over and over, while I "fix" the problem by hitting the primer a couple times. Is this a lack of idling warm up period? I usually idle it for 1-2 minutes. After 4 holes, no problems.

[Wishin2BFishin]

Two cycle engines need to warm up good or they will tend to lean out if you try to use them before they warm up. I leave the choke on half way till I've made a few holes and that helps. Sometimes if the temp is under 15 degrees I have to leave the choke on some to keep it running. Not sure if you know how a two cycle engine works but the gas has to come out of the carb and go thru the crankcase to lube everything then it goes in the cylinder on the intake stroke. Till the crankcase warms up the gas just doesn't flow thru well. There's also reed valves that get gummed up too and that can keep it from running well. I hope this helps...