Splitter wont start

hello. Long time no see. I have neglected my log splitter.Left it ot in the rain un covered, and now it wont start. I'm thinking I need to drain the old fuel, change the spark plugs, and air filter. Change the hydraulic fluid. Clean the carb. am I on the right track? any suggestions? Thanks in advance. It's a 5hp honda engine

 

We had a cracked primer bulb last year from storing it outside. Maybe check that too.

 

Drain the fuel and refill .
Try the carb cleaning next if it still doesn't run.

 

^^^ I would wait on changing hydraulic oil.. should have no effect on starting.. pull plug after couple cranks if wet not a gas problem (after you change gas put fresh gas in it, if dry not getting gas.. check fuel lines and carb.. then check air filter and spark...

engines only need 3 things to run... fuel air and spark they should start.. did not say run well but start

 

drain the tank and carb and refill with fresh fuel.
give it a spray of starting fluid to help it fire off easier

 

Check for spark

 

Yep. start simple and work down the list of potential problems. I'll start with fresh fuel.

 

This

 

yep check for spark!

 

Give it a shot of starting fluid. If it pops, you have spark. Then you will know whether to pursue spark or fuel.

 

The first thing I always check for is sparkies; and I like to pull the plug and check it at the gap; no sparkies there, then check it at the wire. no sparkies there, then you move along to the coil, electronic module if it has one, etc. If good sparkies, then it must be fuel related. Sitting out in the rain probably means the stuff that makes the sparkies is all wet and not working.

 

Yes, UV rays are bad on plastics. However, so it the alcohol in the corn gas scam we are forced to endure. I wonder if a petition would work...