Cultivator: Starts But Immediately Dies

If you notice that your cultivator will start up normally, but then immediately dies, there is a good chance that your carburetor could be at the heart of the issue. The carburetor injects the correct mix of fuel and air into the combustion chamber, which allows the engine to start and then run effectively. If you’ve left fuel in your carburetor over a long period (like over the winter), it can become clogged up and the smaller parts of the carb can become brittle. A plugged or improperly adjusted carburetor will cause the engine to die almost immediately after it starts. Often you will simply be able to re-adjust or clean your carburetor and solve this problem. However, if any of the parts have become damaged, you may need to replace them with a carb kit, or replace the carburetor entirely.

For your cultivator’s engine to start and continue to run properly, the right mix of fuel and air must enter the combustion chamber. The air filter’s job is to ensure that airborne debris doesn’t enter the engine. However, occasionally the air filter can become clogged, and this will not allow the correct ratio of fuel and air to enter the engine. Sometimes this will result in the engine not starting at all, but if just enough air enters, it may start up normally, but then immediately die. It is recommended that you clean your cultivator’s air filter about once a year (depending on use), and this can prevent the filter from being clogged. You may also consider replacing the air filter, which will also solve the problem. It is an affordable and easy repair, which simply involves removing the air filter from the top of the carburetor and replacing it with a new one.

A fuel filter that is clean and operating properly is essential to the overall function of your engine. The fuel filter on your cultivator ensures debris does not enter the fuel lines and eventually the engine. However, if your fuel filter becomes dirty and clogged (which tends to happen over time, particularly if you leave fuel in the tank for a long period of time), it will not allow enough fuel to make it to the carburetor and engine. This may result in just enough fuel entering the engine to start it, but not enough to run it. You may be able to clean the fuel filter and solve this problem, but if it is damaged it should be replaced, which is an easy and affordable repair.

The spark plug is a key part in the combustion process of your cultivator’s engine. It provides the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder which starts your engine. However, the spark plug needs to continue to ignite the fuel that powers the engine, for your cultivator to continue to run. Carbon deposits can build up over time and end up fouling your spark plug. A fouled spark plug will fire unpredictably, and this can result in an engine that starts up but immediately dies. Sometimes your spark plug can be cleaned and the problem will be resolved. However, if you try to clean the spark plug and the problem persists, you may need to replace the spark plug. Before you replace the plug, however, you should test the ignition coil with a spark tester to ensure the problem isn’t originating from there.

Your cultivator has fuel lines that are attached to the fuel filter, and run between the fuel tank and the carburetor. Over the life of your cultivator, the fuel lines can crack, and this can cause a fuel leak. If the leak is serious enough, it may allow just enough fuel to enter the engine to start it, but not enough to keep it running after it starts. In this case, your fuel lines will most likely need to be replaced. Your fuel lines can also become clogged if too much debris enters through the fuel filter. If you suspect your fuel lines are clogged, you can either perform a visual inspection, or detach the fuel lines and attempt to blow in one end. If you discover a clog, you may be able to clean the line, but you also may need to replace it, depending on the severity. If there is a clog in the fuel lines, you should check the fuel filter as well, as it is designed to prevent this from happening, and a clog could indicate it is in need of repair or maintenance, too.