Bolens

[Luffydog]

31cc 2 cycle cultivator bl410. Start off it had issues with not starting. Check for fire and it had a good spark. Second I checked fuel getting fuel but diaphrams was harden and thought it wasn't getting what it needed. Third changed plugs 3 times all good. 4th rebuilt the carb same as it was. Now it will not start but it will pop and try. Took plug out and lightly rolled over the piston while blowing slow air thinking it might be flooded same as it was. Thought it might have been compression well added a little compressor oil to help same as it was. Anyone have any ideas on where to go with this next. Thanks!!!!!

[bgsengine]

Pop the muffler off and check for restrictions, plugged spark arrestor, plugged exhaust ports, check compression, verify rings are not stuck, etc.

First thing that many of us do on any 2-stroke no-start with seeming good spark, fuel and compression - remove muffler and inspect exhaust. You can suffocate by not being able to breathe OUT as easily as not being able to breathe IN. and since muffler is already off, check condition of rings and cylinder while there, may as well.

[KE4AVB]

If all the above are okay then check the ignition timing. Being a tiller setup it may have sheared the flywheel key.

[Luffydog]

Sorry I forgot to mention that I already looked at the muffler and the piston rings all looked ok but I'll make sure rings are not stuck. I'll try the compression test that was my next thing to mention that I was going to try. Thanks I will get back and report the findings. Also check the flywheel key as well. Thanks

[bgsengine]

Also check crankcase pressure (leakdown test) and vacuum - check all the fasteners - these cheapo ryobis frequently have problems with loose hardware especially on the crankcase cover and the cylinder bolts just a tiny bit loose is enough to allow air leaks.

[Luffydog]

Ok so this is what I found after 2 compression checks. Just about at the 90psi range. Figured it was a tad down on its luck so to speak. Then other compression check is without the muffler on and I found out it was higher closer to about 112. Tried this 2 times and about the same. Can someone tell me why this is higher without muffler???? Guess at this point just need to hear some good or bad answers before I call and say hey it's been a pain and it's junk lol. If someone could explain it to me why it is what it is i would appreciate it!!!!!!

[HondaG100]

All else being equal the only possible explanation would be a clogged muffler that's not letting it breathe correctly. Have you tried starting with the muffler off?

[bgsengine]

Ok so this is what I found after 2 compression checks. Just about at the 90psi range. Figured it was a tad down on its luck so to speak. Then other compression check is without the muffler on and I found out it was higher closer to about 112. Tried this 2 times and about the same. Can someone tell me why this is higher without muffler???? Guess at this point just need to hear some good or bad answers before I call and say hey it's been a pain and it's junk lol. If someone could explain it to me why it is what it is i would appreciate it!!!!!!

with either number it is about the bottom end of where it should be so you probably either have some compression loss, or gauge is not accurate (Automotive type gauges do not work as well on these small cc engines) But the difference as Honda said may be a restricted muffler - and I agree try firing it up for a few seconds without the muffler on. Either way 90- 112 PSI is considerably less than the 150-180 it should have new.

[RoyM]

Not worth spending a lot of time on unless you really want to see what makes it tick. Bolens=MTD=Powermore engine built in China, if any internal issues it's a short block or new engine as there are few replacement parts.

[bgsengine]

Not worth spending a lot of time on unless you really want to see what makes it tick. Bolens=MTD=Powermore engine built in China, if any internal issues it's a short block or new engine as there are few replacement parts.

Actually on those 2-strokes that's the old Ryobi AKA IDC AKA Ryan designs but they ARE built in china but not the same stuff as the powermore honda clones you (well maybe not you being a Canuck - dunno if they had them in Canada) may remember those $59.99 Trimmers you could buy at Central Tractor 20 or so years ago - these are the same design and indeed, many of those parts will still fit the new crankcases - People would buy them and then a year or two later when they fell apart of self-destructed, no one was willing to spend $65 - $75 to fix them when they could just go buy another for less - Those were pretty much the leading edge of the "disposable" power equipment age that is so prevalent now. - Buy it, run it til it dies, throw it away and get a new one. When TTI bought the Ryobi brand from MTD they started making the homelite/greenmachine/ryobi models based on the same engineering and parts but they have evolved quite a bit now to where the old Ryobi and the new Ryobi are completely different machines... but we still get buyers trying to buy Homelite Ryobi TTI parts to fit their MTD Ryobi brand units, only to be disappointed.. It's downright frustrating. - most notably when the old designs and the new both used (likely just a coincidence) the SAME model designation labels (MTD Ryobi SS30 vs. TTI Ryobi SS30 = totally different machines! )

However, MTD is still producing newer re-designed models off the same basic engines - had in a craftsman MTD last year that, for all intents and purposes, removing the EPA mandated emissions stuff, would have bolted right up to an old Ryan clunker... and it was a 2014 model.

So I agree - they are not worth wasting time on for a pro shop where time is money - but if you got the money to throw at parts and stuff (if they are still available) and want to learn basic 2-stroke service techniques, by all means keep working at them.