Jiffy ice auger, wont start in the cold

[sneilson]

Hi All
Belated New Years greetings. I have a Model 30 Jiffy ice auger with a small Tecumseh engine. The engine will start fairly easy if every thing is just right, mainly that it's in a heated building If left outside in the cold for anything over a few minutes it simply will not start. The other night I was at the shop and had it running OK, but not completely satisfied It was about minus 30 outside I drove for 10 minutes tried it and it would not start or even attempt to start. Last year at the end of the season I put a new carb kit, both jets, new needle and seat and diaphragm. We used it a couple times and it was OK but not spectacular and not as good as other augers. I took the carb apart and cleaned it cleaned both jets and had it running not to bad I put it outside for an hour and same problem, will not start. The plug is good there is lots of spark, but when it wont start when checked the plug is soaked and the cylider has lots of raw fuel in it. I wonder if I am looking at a compression issue- waiting for my compression tester to warm up and will check that Could the reed in the intake cause this kind of problem. If I could drill holes in my garage I would be OK but unfortunately the fish are at the lake. Anyone have any suggestions

[Arrow]

Make sure you have the diaphram and gasket assembled properly. If the carb has an "F" stamped on it the diaphram is installed first followed by the gasket. If assembled improperly it will cause a flooding situation.

[joefish]

Had the same problem last year with my model 30 ( 1974 version ) after blowing head gasket. Replaced head gasket also found the key to the flywheel bent.
installed new key, still ran like crap. Checked reed plate and found reeds with over .010 gap open. After looking for reed part number for some time found parts and its running now.

[briggsguy]

I think you have a fuel problem. How old is the gas? I would guess that there is some water or contamination in your fuel system that is freezing at -30 degrees . At that temp. it would not take very long at all for small amounts of water to freeze. Squirt some gas directly into carb next time and see if it starts, if it does then you will know that you have a fuel delivery problem. Good luck.

[T-Man]

Hmmm......We "Southerners" LOVE FISH and TO FISH !!!!
BUT.....Hope I/We NEVER have to drill through some ice to
get to 'em. YIKES !!!!!

Just a Southern observation from,

S-Man

[dennisgb]

Dang, what the heck good is an ice auger that won't start in the cold?

[sneilson]

I bought a couple new diaphragm and bottom gaskets from the dealer today he said they go with the gasket against the carb body and daphragm below it i was sure it was the other way does anyone have a PDF file on this engine showing the carb assembly. Its a model 30 Jiffy, the engine serial number is 0109197 model AV520 670147T (B) DOM 0168 D

[sneilson]

Hey S man Just for your information -- we went fishing on Saturday had to drill through 3 feet of ice to hit water. We never caught any fish- BUT we heard the ol familiar line.... should have been here yesterday. Have a great day
Shawn

[T-Man]

Sneilson,

Go to partstree.com....Click on the Tecumseh logo at bottom right. Then...click on carburetor
parts. Find carb number 631720B and click on it....then on carburetor. This is orginal carb with
two (2) adjustment screws (main and idle). This part number is REPLACED BY 640290, which is
same carb....but with ONLY one (1) screw....the idle adj screw, and it's a limited movement screw.
This will give you the breakdown schematic for the carburetor you were asking about.

And, Shawn......When you were drilling thru 3 FEET OF ICE to find NO FISH THERE......I was sitting in front of
a fire place with a plate of hot wings and a very cold brewsky watching football. I am VERY GLAD you were there....
and I was here. Maybe fish....NEXT TIME ??? HOPE SO !!!!

S-Man

[sneilson]

He S Man
Thanks for the link to parts tree that will be a great site to use for a lot of applications. I noticed a check valve on the inlet side of the needle I am fairly certain there is not one on this carb. I have had it apart a few times and dont recall there being one there. The auger belongs to a friend of mine and he has always had trouble with it. He used to keep pumping the handprimer to keep it running,now after installing a new diaphragm it runs or at least starts and sort of runs on half choke- thats from a warm shop I didnt try it out in the cold I can do that this morning because its minus 37 outside-just a nice fresh Manitoba morning. Last year I put a kit in the carb put in a brand new plug-there is lots of spark, gas is new has de icer in it and is mixed properly, but this thing is a pig. Last trip of the season last year we drowned it. it started and ran Ok after we did but probably should have pulled the carb apart and cleaned out any water in the body I have had the carb laying on my bench for several days dismantled and dried out so that shouldn't be a issue Any ideas on the check valveI believe its number 19 in the illustration