Walt Galer
ArboristSite Operative
I just got back from a dive in the local dealer's junk pile. I was looking for a saw part, when I stumbled on a T-20 Shindaiwa timmer, one of the good ones with the old TK slide valve carburetor.
The tag said, "Won't start".
I pulled the rope, and it had all kinds of compression, tank smelled rotten, and the primer bulb in the fuel line was hard as a rock. No spark. The hour meter that is built into a TK carburetor said "less than 50 hrs". (You unscrew the throttle cable/slide and examine the needle on the end of the slide. It wears into a step in the taper with lots of hours and means the machine needs a new needle and jet in the carburetor-as a set. No wear, few hours).
This being one of the finest models in the buisness, I had to see what the dealer wanted for it. $20! Oh, My God! I grabbed it.
Got it home and found: Fouled plug (someone had set the carburetor slow air adjustment like it was a chainsaw, namely screwed it in to one turn, so the engine ran filthy rich). They had tried to work on the carb, and mis-installed the inlet diaphram, wrinkled, leaving a big air leak. It needs a new air filter assembly and high tension lead boot. The inlet check valve ( a loose brass bead that is supposed to rattle) was varnished stuck, so the machine would not prime.
The dead ignition was because the trigger module mounting, which is the ground connection, had corroded. (The usual problem, and you can not see this). I removed and cleanned up, and presto, fantastic spark. The fuel lines and primer came back after a de-varnish cleanning and should be fine.
Looks like it may have even less hours than I thought. Just left out in the weather. With a new top cover, it will look like new. I think I might even spend the money for the brand new cover.
Regards,
Walt Galer
The tag said, "Won't start".
I pulled the rope, and it had all kinds of compression, tank smelled rotten, and the primer bulb in the fuel line was hard as a rock. No spark. The hour meter that is built into a TK carburetor said "less than 50 hrs". (You unscrew the throttle cable/slide and examine the needle on the end of the slide. It wears into a step in the taper with lots of hours and means the machine needs a new needle and jet in the carburetor-as a set. No wear, few hours).
This being one of the finest models in the buisness, I had to see what the dealer wanted for it. $20! Oh, My God! I grabbed it.
Got it home and found: Fouled plug (someone had set the carburetor slow air adjustment like it was a chainsaw, namely screwed it in to one turn, so the engine ran filthy rich). They had tried to work on the carb, and mis-installed the inlet diaphram, wrinkled, leaving a big air leak. It needs a new air filter assembly and high tension lead boot. The inlet check valve ( a loose brass bead that is supposed to rattle) was varnished stuck, so the machine would not prime.
The dead ignition was because the trigger module mounting, which is the ground connection, had corroded. (The usual problem, and you can not see this). I removed and cleanned up, and presto, fantastic spark. The fuel lines and primer came back after a de-varnish cleanning and should be fine.
Looks like it may have even less hours than I thought. Just left out in the weather. With a new top cover, it will look like new. I think I might even spend the money for the brand new cover.
Regards,
Walt Galer
