Iron and oak splitter problem

[poloman]

I have an iron and oak splitter with an 8 hp honda engine that has always run perfectly. Went out today and couldn't pull the starting cord. It is outside and we just had 8" of rain...
When I pull on the cord there is no give to speak of.
Your suggestions are appreciated.


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[Pelorus]

Remove the sparkplug and pull the cord.

 

[poloman]

Thanks for your response. I'll do that tomorrow morning. I had come to the conclusion that it was my next step but ran out of daylight. Any suggested steps to take following that?


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[Pelorus]

Change engine oil, drain fuel tank if water got into it.
Cover engine when not in use! I stick a plastic recycle bin over top of mine.

 

[hunter72]

Change engine oil, drain fuel tank if water got into it.
Cover engine when not in use! I stick a plastic recycle bin over top of mine.

My brothers splitter has out uncovered for some time and was frose up. Ended up being the magnets on the flywheel rusted to the Mag. took mag bolts out got mag loose from flywheel and cleaned them up , regapped and away it went running .This was on a B&S motor.

 

[poloman]

Thank you all for your responses!
Went out this am and pulled the plug. There was a little pip of ice on the end of it (uh oh!). Still couldn't pull cord. Left the plug hole open and covered it with a cloth. Sunny day, waited for the temp to rise.
Back out, above freezing. Turned off fuel. Drained carb cup and the little fuel cup. Pulled cord and water squirted out of the hole. Kept pulling it until it stopped spurting any water. Squirted some wd40 in there and kept pulling it occasionally while I changed the oil.
Replaced the plug turned on the fuel, set the choke, and pulled until it started. Took maybe 20+ pulls.
Split some wood then turned off the fuel and let it run out. I had stopped doing this as I use it every few days.
Embarrassed that I put the engine through this. I will always turn off the fuel and store it covered in the future. Guess I didn't want to miss an opportunity to be stupid.
Got lucky though. Cost me an oil change that was due anyway.
Thanks again guys!



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[Festus]

Glad it was simple and cheap to fix for you. When my Northstar splitter locked up, it ended up being a seized pump. It was covered under warranty with no issues, but they wouldn't let me do it myself, so I had to pull it 25 miles to town.

 

[poloman]

I was really concerned until I got it running again. No longer under warranty and I sure didn't want to spend a lot on parts. I am truly grateful.


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