Cultivator: Won't Start

The carburetor is vital to your cultivator’s operation, as it injects the correct mixture of fuel and air to the engine. Over time, your carburetor can become clogged, particularly if fuel is left in it for an extended period (like over the winter). If the carburetor is clogged, the fuel will not enter the engine, and therefore it won’t start. Regular carburetor cleaning can sometimes help this issue, and if your machine won’t start, cleaning the carburetor can often fix the issue. However, if your machine will not start at all, it may be an indication that part of the carburetor is damaged. In this case you will need to get a new carb kit to fix a specific part, or replace the carburetor entirely. An improperly tuned carburetor can also cause the cultivator to become difficult to start. See the owner’s manual for your cultivator to determine how to properly adjust yours.

The air filter in your cultivator prevents dirt and debris from entering the engine. If your air filter is faulty, over time this dirt and debris (as well as carbon deposits) can build up in the engine and cause damage to the cylinder or piston. This will prevent your cultivator from starting properly. Also, this dirt and debris can eventually clog the air filter, in which case the engine will not receive enough air to complete the combustion process. In this case, the air filter can normally be cleaned to solve the problem. However, if it is torn or there is some other damage to the filter, it will possibly need to be replaced entirely.

A badly clogged fuel filter will cause your cultivator to become unable to start. The fuel filter prevents debris from the fuel tank from entering the fuel lines. However, if too much of this debris builds up on the fuel filter, it can become completely clogged. Therefore, no fuel will enter the fuel lines, and the engine will be starved of fuel. This will not allow your cultivator to start properly. This symptom is often caused by leaving fuel in the fuel tank over the winter, and by neglecting to regularly clean the filter. You may be able to simply clear out the clog, and the problem will be solved, but a damaged fuel filter will need to be replaced.

A worn or damaged cylinder and piston can affect your cultivator’s ability to start properly. When you start your cultivator, fuel and air is compressed within the cylinder so that the spark plug can ignite it and power the engine. Without compression, the spark will not ignite. Over time, your piston and cylinder can begin to show signs of wear, and this can affect their ability to provide compression. Sometimes a damaged or missing piston ring can cause this problem. In this case, a replacement ring can fix the issue. However, a damaged piston or cylinder is a much more serious issue that will need to be resolved before the engine will start properly. Routine maintenance and cleaning of the cylinder and piston can prevent carbon and debris build up, which can wear away at them over time.

The spark plug in your cultivator is crucial in the combustion process that starts your engine. It takes the electrical charge from the ignition coil and creates a spark, igniting the compressed fuel and air mixture. If the spark plug doesn’t provide this spark, there is no combustion, and therefore the engine will not start. Sometimes when the spark plug won’t create a spark, it is due to the ignition coil. If your engine won’t start, it is important to use a spark tester to ensure the ignition coil is working, before you replace the spark plug. Over time, your spark plug can become fouled by carbon deposits in the engine, and this can prevent it from creating a spark. You can sometimes clean the spark plug to get it working properly again, but if it is damaged or won’t produce a spark, it will need to be replaced. Treat the spark plug carefully when removing and replacing it, as it is a delicate part.

The engine control cable in your cultivator controls the speed of the engine. It usually will connect from the throttle trigger to the throttle itself, and can be adjusted for different speeds. If the cable is broken, you won’t be able to control the engine from the trigger, and therefore it will not start. Sometimes when the engine control cable is causing this symptom, the cable is just loose or disconnected. In this case, tightening and re-attaching the cable will solve it. However, the cable can rust after being left for long periods and this can cause it to become brittle and snap. In this case, it will need to be replaced before you can get your cultivator to start.