Varnished gas in a small engine?

[Deleted]

A few weeks ago, I bought an older Echo brand gas powered, water pump. This is the type of water pump that would be great for pumping water out of a basement or 'push out' foundation for a house under construction.

I suspect this pump could move a BUNCH of water. I haven't measured the hose, but it is at least 2 1/2", and quite possibly, 3" hose.

This pump was found at an estate auction. I strongly believe that it was purchased, used once, or a few times, and stored under a work bench...with a full tank of gas.

I dumped the old stinky gas out of it. That varnished gas reeked!

As you might guess, the engine will not fire. It acts like the cylinders aren't getting fuel.  

Since then, the only thing I've done to it was fill it with fresh, non-ethanol gas. I haven't had time to work on it.

Dumb question:

Is there any additive that I can use to help 'de-varnish' the fuel system?

Honestly, I've never had a small engine with varnish, and could use some help.  

[MeandTK]

It is most likely that you will need to rebuild or replace the carburetor.
You could try to first check to insure that fuel reaches the carb. Replace the lines and filter, if need be.
I know of nothing that will open up a small carb. Sadly the ethanol helps the parts industry immensely.

[Deleted]

I'm not exactly sure of the carb's configuration, but I removed the bowl on a recent one, flushed it all out with spray carburetor cleaner. I think you're going to have to find the jet screw, remove it and clean the tiny jet hole with a fine wire and more carburetor cleaner and replace the screw. May have to remove the float to find it.  Be sure to look at the lines first. That is how I made my old Honda motor fire up after sitting for a long time. May be worth a try.

Look around on Youtube as they have some videos on it. 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Add some "Sea Foam" to the gas, and drip some into the carb if possible

[spacecase0]

I take apart the carburetors and clean out all the tiny holes,
usually use a twist tie that I have removed the paper from
rarely need any parts from a rebuild kit either

I have to do this all the time because my dad leaves gas in everything when he is done using it

[Deleted]

Thank you for the replies!

The engine is a Japanese make. I wish it were a Briggs; I would be less intimidated with the carb.

I did think about buying a can of Sea Foam. I hate to spend the $7, especially if it didn't work.

It sounds like I need to find a day to sit down with the engine, disassemble the carb, and clean it.

[Deleted]

Try Lucas Fuel Treatment. I did this with a motorcycle that had been sitting for many years. It ran like crap, put fresh gas and Lucas in it, ran it for a while, let it sit for a week and it ran great

[1shotwade]

I've brought a lot of small engines back to lifeI simply drain the stale gas and add fresh and let it set a while. It will start eating away at the varnish it comes in contact with.then I remove the spark plug and fuel the cylinder,replace the plug and it should fire up. It will only run until it burns the gas from the cylinder then do it again.In a few tries the vacuum will pull the fresh gas into the system and clean out the varnish.The most I have ever had to do this is still less than a dozen times. But,you don't have to take anything apart and lose half the pieces!LOL!

Just a note. If it doesn't fire up with gas in the cylinder you will need to remove the flywheel cover and sand it down to allow contact between the flywheel and the magneto.
Wade

[oxankle]

Franklin: If you disassemble that carburetor be sure to make notes of which pieces go where. The late models are full of tiny pieces. I had a pro clean and reassemble a tiller carb I'd taken apart. He left out a tiny brass jet and I almost went crazy trying to start that engine. I was picking up the cardboard box to take it back to the shop when I heard a tiny rattle and found the missing part.

Then I took the carb apart three times before I got the jet back in the right position---I tilled about 3,000 square feet of garden with that tiller this morning.

I have taken to shutting off the fuel valve and running my engines dry before I put an implement away. I also use Stabil in the gas.

[1shotwade]

I was trying to use my Stihl equipment this week. They never want to be good! Always a problem. So anyway,I got looking in the manual and for the fs90r weed whip you are supposed to drain the tank after every use. For the ms170 chainsaw you are supposed to top off the tank and store full of fuel!These were both made by the same company and pretty close to the same year. Makes me thing they don't even know how to care for the stuff they sell!LOL!
Wade

[Cabin Fever]

If it were me, before I spent a lot of time cleaning/rebuilding the carb, I would spray some starting fluid directly in the cylinder, to determine if the engine fires at all. If the starting fluid gets the engine to fire, spray additional fluid into the air intake of the carb. Sometimes, the engine will start running on it own gasoline. Don't over do on the starting fluid.