It’s an actual common issue to face if you have not run your engine for a long time. Nine out of ten times, the carburetor isn’t giving your engine enough fuel, which is causing this issue. It’s frequently because the main jet of your carburetor gets blocked.

However, if the Predator is new and still not starting, then it can be because of the manufacturing flaw, and in a few other situations, it can be because of the transmission system locking up your crankshaft. I’ll explain precisely what can be the causes of this problem on the brand new Predator.

However, if it’s new, you can get your engine replaced in the local Harbor Freight shop, which is what I suggest you do since manufacturing flaws will need more work to resolve. Before checking anything, though, simply make certain that the gas tank has gas and the fuel lines are functioning right, and that the fuel shut-off valve is not shut.

Step By Step Guide For Fixing The Problem:

Here is a step-by-step procedure for troubleshooting this issue:

See If Your Carburetor Is Causing The Problem:

As mentioned before, a blocked carburetor is almost certainly the reason for your engine not starting. It’s very simple to confirm whether or not this problem is with your carburetor or not.

  • First off, open the Air box’s top.
  • Spray a little Carburetor cleaner or Starter Fluid through the Air filter.
  • Then, try to Pull Start.

If your engine is starting, then you can say for sure that the issue is within your carburetor. If your engine is still not starting, then move on to the next few steps and go to number four.

Read About: Performance Mods For Predator 212

Taking Out Your Carburetor:

Once you know for certain that carb is the issue, then the next step is to remove and disassemble it. Again the procedure is very easy.

Removing The Air Filter:

  • First, take a ten mm socket and unbolt the two bolts.
  • The Air filter is actually connected to the two hose lines; once these bolts are out, you will have to disconnect your air filter box from the 2 hoses. Then simply pull the Box out.

Removing Your Carburetor From Your Engine:

Once you remove the airbox, you will be capable of seeing the carburetor. Here is how you can take out your carburetor:

  • Make use of the pliar for freeing up your fuel line clamp.
  • Disconnect your fuel line and block the hose using either a bolt or a pliar to prevent fuel from coming out.
  • Move your carburetor a little forward for slightly loosening its spring and rod tension.
  • Unhook the rod and the spring.

Disassembling Your Carburetor:

  • Make use of a socket for unbolting the main bolt; it’ll cause the fuel to come out from its bowl, so it is great to place something that can accumulate the fuel under your carb.
  • Unscrew the idle screw.
  • Take the flat head screwdriver for taking out the pilot jet.

You will be capable of seeing the main jet once the bowl is taken out. You will have to make use of the flat head screwdriver to remove the main jet. There’s also the emulsion tube under the main jet, it is a great idea to remove it and clean it with the jets, but it’s not essential.

Cleaning The Pilot Jet And The Main Jet:

Take the carb cleaner and blow it through the pilot jet and the main jet’s holes some times. If you can still see the dirt, then take a thin cable and run it through these holes.

It’ll very likely fix the issue; almost ninety percent of the time, it is just the jets getting blocked because of the engine sitting in the garage for way too long with fuel inside. However, let’s say you have sprayed the starter fluid and your engine still did not start, then continue reading.

Checking If The Spark Plug Is Functioning Properly:

It’s possible that the cylinder of your engine is getting the fuel and air, but the spark plug is not functioning, which would still be the cause of your engine not starting since there’ll be no spark for igniting the air-fuel mixture.

There are two things to see with your spark plug:

  • Is your Spark Plug working?
  • Is your spark plug wet?

First, remove the spark plug and clean it. Then to see whether the spark plug functions or not:

  • Remove the spark plug
  • Put it back on the cap of the ignition coil
  • Pull the cord

If your spark plug is defective, you will not see the spark. In that situation, you will need to replace your spark plug. If even your spark plug is functioning properly, it is great for you to take

your engine to a mechanic. Unless you have a good understanding of how your engine is functioning, it’ll be hard for you to resolve it. However, you can continue reading to check what other problems can be.

Compression Test:

Even your spark plug is functioning perfectly? Now that you’ve confirmed that your air fuel is reaching the combustion chamber and the spark is getting produced, there can just be 2 more issues now. Either your air-fuel mix is getting trickled from the chamber throughout compression, or the valves aren’t closing and opening at the correct moment (or not opening at all). Basically, you will have to take the compression tester kit and put it in the position of your spark plug.

Now when you pull to start your engine, the gauge will show the pressure. The compression pressure ought to be ideally eighty to a hundred psi; however, a bit less would not cause your engine not to work at all. A large drop can.

A fast but less accurate method of testing the compression is by holding the thumb in the spark plug location and feeling the pressure. If there’s no pressure, then you can be certain that the issue is with compression. Okay, so let’s say you did that testing and learned the pressure is low or not there at all. It can be because of the piston ring being wiped out or the head gasket is done for. Another cause could be the timing of the valve.

See If Your Valves Are Functioning Properly:

Lastly, if everything is fine, the air-fuel mix is right, you have compression, and your spark plug is firing. The problem is very likely your valves. Open up your cylinder head and check if the valves are functioning properly. There may even be a manufacturing flaw where they’ve sent your engine with a few parts missing. You have to check whether or not your engine has the push rod for both exhaust and intake valves.

If there’s no pushrod, then your valves would not open, so even if there’s the compression pressure, the new air or exhaust air would not go anywhere, and your engine would not run. If the compression is low, the timings of valve closing and opening can also cause the problem.

Basically, the timing may be set such that the intake and exhaust are open simultaneously for long durations and the air-fuel mix enters and then leaves unburnt. The problem can be because of the defective camshaft.

Conclusion:

Those are almost all the possible problems causing the Predator 212 or your other engine not to start. Simply put, either the air-fuel mix is in the incorrect ratio or your spark plug is defective, or the combustion chamber isn’t capable of holding the mixture. All that said, the most likely problem is your carburetor. Clean it, and the issue will almost certainly be fixed.

Related: