Does it have a choke lever??? The info I looked up says it does. You have to use this to start the engine. I think this may be operator error. Roger

 

Yeah, I have it on full choke when trying. It doesn't even attempt to start. Thx

The new carb came with a primer inlet which I plugged off (the original carb didn't have this inlet). I thought about just adding a primer, but like I said, the carb is already full of gas when trying to start cold. Not sure it would do any good.

 

how long has it sat cold. I have some riders with snowblade/blower. If they sit a long time I have to prime with the carb spray.

 

Maybe change your technique. The most apparent thing seems to be lack of fuel as it will start if given a snort of liquid directly into the chamber. Full choke should pull a goodly bit of fuel from the bowl. Are you sure you plugged a 'primer port' rather than a vent for the bowl? If so, then try removing the air cleaner to gain access to the actual direct air inlet. Get someone or try yourself to block the air inlet and give the rope a pull. You should feel suction, and possibly get wetted with fuel. If no to both, then there's something wrong with the carb or setup.
The choke should do the same thing, but if it doesn't again, something wrong. Have you looked to see that when you apply full choke that the choke plate is actually closing? Linkage/cable/etc can seem to apply full choke, but may not really close it off. If it is a lever, make sure it does what you expect.
I don't have one, so expect you have a gravity feed. If you use a fuel cutoff valve, it must be open to allow the bowl to fill before trying to start. Even over night. I have one that will not start unless I open the cutoff prior. Evaporation? DUnno. But them's the rules for that engine. Another doesn't seem to care, but it cranks a lot before firing. Both basically the same engine, though one has Walbro, the other a Nikki.
Have you considered using the old carb? Was it damaged or just old?
I have one Tecumseh that has no choke. Somehow it starts from cold, many times on the 1st or second pull.
tom

 

I know that you put a new plug in...check the gap......also...I had an older generator with similar problem, I got a primer bulb like what you would use on an outboard engine and put it in the fuel line...that did solve my problem

 

Are you getting a good spark?

A weak spark will ignite starting fluid and keep running when the engine is warm. But it usually takes a good spark to start a cold engine with just the gas.

Another option might be to just add some octane enhancer to the fuel since this is a short term usage machine,

 

JMO,,,, but I had the same problem on a Troybilt Horse Tiller, 1974 model it had the 6hp with points, I found a fly wheel with electronic ignition, solved my problem of hard starting. just a suggestion.
"HAPPY HOLIDAYS"

I forgot to mention that mine had a filter inside the gas tank, it is a little screen that was plugged up with trash, check that also.

 

The spark was strong enough to be seen in a well lit garage during the daytime. Not sure how to tell if it's weak spark or not. It starts immediately once I squirt the gas in it.

I did change the filter. It's one of those small red button jobs with the screen inside. Worse come to worse, I'll just squirt the gas in it and it'll start the rest of the day.

I'm wondering if somehow the fuel is not making it from the carb into the cylinder, at least not enough for when I cold crank it.

 

The spark was strong enough to be seen in a well lit garage during the daytime. Not sure how to tell if it's weak spark or not. It starts immediately once I squirt the gas in it.

I did change the filter. It's one of those small red button jobs with the screen inside. Worse come to worse, I'll just squirt the gas in it and it'll start the rest of the day.

I'm wondering if somehow the fuel is not making it from the carb into the cylinder, at least not enough for when I cold crank it.

JMO AGAIN Check that filter inside the gas tank, check the fuel line also , is there trash in the fuel tank? it does sound like a fuel problem, good luck ! I finally put a 10hp on my tiller.

 

Some Tecumseh's used on snowblowers had no air filter,and a "heater box" around the carb to heat it up enough to prevent carb icing--and there was not only a choke lever,but a spring loaded knob you'd push in while cranking it,that had a disc that covered up the throat of the carb to richen up the fuel mixture more in frigid weather..
Most of them wouldn't start or were difficult to,if only the choke was used..
Perhaps your engine was originally equipped with that,and the heater box & "primer" button removed,and a regular air cleaner off another engine was installed..this will result in hard starts in cold weather..you can use a sqiurt of carb cleaner or starting fluid to get it to fire up in the first few pulls--once it runs a few seconds you can move the choke to the halfway position,then full open after it warms up a few minutes..

 

Great... just farking great. After starting and sitting, half the gas emptied through the air cleaner intake onto my garage floor. Think that might have supm to do with it?

 

Great... just farking great. After starting and sitting, half the gas emptied through the air cleaner intake onto my garage floor. Think that might have supm to do with it?

When i have that problem of leaking fuel, it's usually because the float is stuck open in the carb.

This may also explain your starting problem. If the float is not working fuel may not be getting to the engine. After you start it with some priming the vibration may be jiggling the float to work again.

 

if it's old maybe you should check valve clearance, especially on the intake.

 

after you get the float working. you need to adjust the carb to run on no choke

john