Something super odd happened this morning; it was very cold, so I warmed the engine up a bit to get the heater going, but when I went to move it died.  Then I couldn't get it to start at all unless I floored it, and it wouldn't really run till I reoved the air cleaner top, it still needed the pedal floored but I eventaully got it to rev up and run right after a second or two.  I guess the old Hitachi is getting tired.

I'm assuming it has an enricher, not a choke? thinking it got stuck.  

Anyway the carb looks complicated, but is it that bad to rebuild?

 

Unfortunately I think this might be my best option, but until I can, I got to get this Hitachi to get me by

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by markjs_pnw

You got an idea atleast... I think most jump off and start pulling stuff apart... I would look for vacuum leaks other than the bowls are probably cruddy. And i would suppose it could have been halfway in between warmed up and it thought it was kinda ready, like telling your arm to pick up the coffee cup but spill it instead lol!! It's not ready for winter yet!

Check for power going to the carburetor when the engine is running, it needs this to warm up the electric choke. Without this power the choke butterfly will stay shut and over fuel the engine and it needs more air (hence why you need to hold you foot flat) to start. 

There are a few rebuild kits available for these carburetors but they are very finicky to do correctly. My suggestion would be to pay a specialist to do it for you. But you may not need to do this if it's just a power issue. 

Grab yourself a copy of the EA81 workshop manual, this should also give you some points of interest in fault finding and should also have a wiring diagram in it.

The passenger side of the carb is all greasy?  Problems with PCV or?  Never seen such a nasty greasy mess on a carb?  Gonna hit it with degreaser tonight maybe, check the power.

the oil and dirt coating is pretty normal.