Craftsman tiller won't start

I have a front-tine Craftsman tiller that isn't starting. It worked last summer and I didn't hit anything.

Once I realized it wasn't starting, I drained and replaced the gas and oil. I installed a new spark plug and set the gap to .03. Still won't start.

The air filter is clean and it won't start with the carb cover off.

Now I'm wondering what else I should try before I drag it to a repair shop?

Any tips/advise would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Pull the plug, spin over about ten times with the throttle full and choke off. Put a tablespoon of gas down the plug hole, replace plug, then half throttle, no choke, try to start it. If you have good spark/plug it should start after about five pulls. Then try it with full choke and half throttle.

Repeat if necessary.

 

While you have the plug out attach the high tension lead to it and ground it on the engine so you can see if it sparks when you pull the cord.

If it sparks it's a fuel issue. If it does not spark it is, at the least, a fuel issue.

You have to establish whether it is a fuel issue or a spark issue.

 

LC, I believe you meant that if the plug does not spark, it is an ignition issue, not a fuel problem.

 

I noticed in your original post that you set the gap to .03. I assume you meant .30. If you really meant .03 and not .30 set the gap at .30 put her back together and start it up.

 

In my rush I should have typed:
If it sparks it's a fuel issue. If it does not spark it is, at the least, a SPARK issue.

 

Do you really mean he should set it at a little under 3/8"??
Mike

 

HI. if the tiller has been sitting for a long time (3 months or better) with fuel in the carb chances are the carb is dirty. there are very small orfices in the carb and when the gas sits in there it turns to a gummy varnish and plugs things up. pull the carb off get a can of carb and choke cleaner and compressed air. pull the bowl off the carb spray out and blow out all the gunk inside there and blow out any holes in the carb. once this is done put it back together and put it back on the engine. connect the fuel line and linkages and let her rip. if you have good spark it should pop right off in a few pulls. hope this helps

 

In expressing the sparkplug gap, .03 is the same as .030.
normally such things are spoken of in thousands, not hundreds, even tho in this case they are they same.
fwiw

 

I want to thank everyone for their advise. Marbobj: Your advise was PERFECT! It started up exactly as you said! 10 pulls, then 5 pulls! Uncanny.

Thanks again!