How many times should you push a primer bulb?

Engines with primer: For most temperature conditions, firmly push the primer bulb three times. In cooler weather, additional priming may be needed.

How does a primer bulb work on a chainsaw?

Some chainsaws use a primer bulb to help suck gas into a cold carburetor. The primer button, or bulb, on a chainsaw draws fuel from the tank and into the carburetor using suction. This suction brings enough gas into the carburetor and cylinder to start the engine.

Can you prime engine too much?

If you prime your engine too much, your fuel-to-air ratio is off, and the mixture won’t ignite. On top of that, excess fuel can pool in the manifold or cylinder, leading to problem #2.

What happens if you install the primer bulb backwards?

If it is hooked up backwards, it could either suck fuel out of the tank and flood the engine by forcing fuel through the carb, or depending where the tank fuel level is with respect to the primer return line, could seriously lean out the air/fuel mix.

Can you flood engine with primer bulb?

Priming it too many times by pushing the primer bulb can also cause flooding. The most common cause of flooding, however, is too many attempts to start the engine by not pulling the starter cord firmly or quickly enough to spark the mower into engagement.

What causes primer bulb not to prime?

When the primer bulb isn’t working, it may be a problem with the bulb itself, with the fuel lines that feed fuel to the bulb or both. When they’ve hardened and cracked, they let in air, which makes it impossible to draw the fuel into the carburetor properly.

How does a chainsaw primer work?

Can you over prime a small engine?

Most lawnmowers have a priming button that sprays gas into the carburetor, but if you overdo it, you’ll upset the gas/air balance and flood the engine.

Can you over Prime an engine?

Over-priming is the leading cause for engine fires on the ground. When you prime an engine, you’re putting fuel into the cylinders (or the intake manifold) so that the engine can fire. Pilots tend to over-prime the engine by priming too much or too many times (we’re guilty of it too).

What does the primer bulb do on a chainsaw?

New primer bulb Primer bulbs are used in chain saws to pump fuel from the lower gas tank into the carburetor and then into the engine. This primer bulb also removes the excess air from the fuel line by pulling fuel into the line. This helps prime the circuit, which allows your saw to be started.

How do I change the primer bulb on my starter?

Keep the screws and the starter housing cover in a safe place where you won’t lose the screws. Locate the primer bulb. On most saws it will be located in the upper right-hand corner of the starter housing. Use the Allen wrench to remove the primer bulb’s screws. Put the screws in the same safe place as the other screws. Pull out the primer bulb.

How do you remove a primer bulb from a fuel line?

Screw the primer bulb’s screws back in place with the Allen wrench. Set the starter housing back in place over the primer bulb and screw it in place with the screwdriver. You may need to use pliers to pull the primer bulb off the fuel line. Be careful not to damage the fuel line when pulling off the primer bulb.