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2022/10/24 20:27:19

SLSCoder

I can't get the carb to suck fuel into it. Why? How can I fix it?

I've got a Poulan Pro blower model: BVM200FL

If I pour a bit of fuel into the carb it will start and then promptly stop.
If I push the primer bubble (over and over) it will not pull fuel into the carb.
I can feel air coming out of the overflow line so that much seems to be working.
No fuel comes into the bubble. I can hear it sucking air.

If I try to start the blower without manually adding fuel directly to the carb it will not start.

I took the carb apart and cleaned it with carb cleaner. I soaked the 2 parts in carb cleaner over night.
If I blow air into the fuel line input on the carb I can hear & feel air coming out of the port in the carb beside it.
The diaphram looks OK. The reed film is OK, the gasket is OK.
The choke works fine.

I couldn't upload any pics so here's a link to them.
The pics of the main carb body were from before I cleaned it.
The reed film looks dirty but it's just dust on it.

Sorry, looks like neither pics nor links are allowed here.
I can't show it to you.

Why does the carb not suck fuel into it, even via the primer bulb?

4 comments Leave a comment

Conrad Sigona

I'm not familiar with the unit, but I presume it's two-cycle. I don't see a link to photos.

When you tore the carburetor apart, did you not see a little screen stuffed into a 3/8" hole like a cup? Find the hole which leads to the back of the screen, and shoot some carburetor cleaner in the reverse direction to see if the screen is plugged. I've seen it where the gas filter on the intake line in the fuel tank disintegrated into a fine gray powder, which ended up stuck on the screen.

I suspect the metal on the fuel filter (pot metal, I think) was affected by ethanol in the fuel. Look in the fuel tank and examine the filter. It's right at the end of the intake line, where the line sucks the fuel. If, when you touch the metal, you see fine powder, replace the filter.

Don't think I'm complaining about ethanol like most small motor guys do. I'm actually in favor of ethanol, as long as you don't leave it in the tank over winter

2022/10/24 21:31:45

SLSCoder

Thanks for responding.
Yes, it is a small 2 cycle engine.

I do see the screen just to the left of the hole right beside the intake line that I can blow air into from the intake line.
I can't blow air into the screen. I'm guessing you've nailed it. That's the problem.

As I stated, I soaked it in carb cleaner over night and I still can't blow air through it.
Can I take the screen out and run a thin wire through it?
How can I get the filter screen cleaned out so I can blow air through it?
Can I take either screen out?

I'm able to upload the pics this time.
The pic below is of the filter screen. The intake is to the right of it.
I can blow air into the intake. It comes out of the little hole to the right of the screen.
I cannot blow air through the screen at all.

The pic below is if I flip the above pic clockwise if facing the intake.
I'm guessing air should blow from the screen above through the screen below or visa versa??
I can't blow air through either screen at all.

2022/10/25 05:38:25

Conrad Sigona

Yes, that's the screen. No, don't try to take it out. You'll never be able to get it back in nice and tight. Instead follow the channel below the screen to where it comes out on the other end. It's likely a straight line, but I'm not sure about your carburetor. In any case, the fuel path goes through the filter and up to the diaphragm pump. Figure out where the fuel from the screen goes out of the carburetor block, and shoot carburetor cleaner into that hole, in effect, reversing the flow through the screen and thereby cleaning it out. Collect the fluid and you'll see the stuff I'm talking about.

I guess from your photo that you haven't opened up the pump side of the carburetor. Once you do, you can, by trial-and-error, shoot cleaner through each hole until you find the one I'm talking about. But...

Make sure you examine the fuel filter dangling within the gas tank. If it's corroding, as I suggested, it will continue to release gray powder and will again plug the screen. Replace the fuel filter with a plastic one.

2022/10/26 22:36:54

SLSCoder

Again, thanks for your response.
I did get the screen out, not entirely on purpose.
I did have the diaphragm out. I removed the needle valve.
That was the port that the screen went to. With the needle valve out I was able to easily get a tiny wire through the hole where the screen was and all the way through the hole where the needle valve was.
I shot carb cleaner through the hole with no problem.
There was no filter in the tank at all. I bought a new one.

Now I'm guessing that the problem may have involved a faulty diaphragm though it wasn't cracked or brittle.
It was just a bit deformed.
I found a rebuild kit on amazon for $5.55 US so I bought it.
I'm hoping the new diaphragm, reed film, needle and gaskets solve the problem.

2022/10/28 05:13:39

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I can't get the carb to suck fuel into it. Why? How can I fix it?

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