That's a big hmmmm. First I would try a Denso or NGK plug. There are just some engines that don't play well with the Champion splugs. I have had very little runability experience with the Mitz. Toro had them on on one of their series of trimmers etc- but I don't recall anything like this. A sign of something to come like a headgasket / case leak? Done a compression test? Does this engine perchance have a reed valve?

Thanks Tom. I bought 2 new NGK plugs and thought I might try them.

I did get to talk to a guy who is an "old head" on small engines about my problem. He said that more than likely some component of my blowers ignition system is breaking down and since a used plug offers more resistance than a brand new one, the used plugs just aren't firing under compression. My problem is I can't get parts anymore for this machine, Grainger hasn't offered it in their catalog in over ten years.

I'm going to try the NGK plugs, but I have a hunch that's not going to solve my problem since I've been using Champion plugs in this machine for years. I think I'm headed for a new backpack blower. I've already been checking around and it looks like a Redmax is the brand I'm leaning towards right now.

I bought the Dayton blower "off the back dock" at my local Grainger store. Back in the day they would sell items they took back in return off the back dock. Somebody bought this blower and brought it back, claiming it was "too heavy" (the weight was listed right in the catalog), but Grainger had a libral return policy. The long and short is I bought it with less than one tank of fuel having been run through it for $100.00--so I've really got my moneys worth out of the machine. I mow 3 yards (mine and two rentals) as well as take care of the leaves etc. so my equipment gets more use than an average homeowners does.

My hubby works on small engines all the time, he does model airplanes and works on chainsaws and weedeaters and lawnmowers all the time, and it seems like 99% of the time the problem is diaphragm in the carburator. things not getting fuel, or too much air in the fuel. Those diaphragms break down over time and get stiff and then they get cracks and it doesn't take much to mess it up. Might want to start there.

If the plugs don't work out, a new unit ight be the best move. At least with the Toro Mitz parts- they went through the roof price wise. I'm not even sure if these things have an igniter outside the ign coil or not. We had a 2 stroke Kohler years back that was not friendly on plugs either. It isn't fun. . .

Hi Bill W,
I had the same problem with an old McCulloch trimmer from the late 70's or early 80's. I found that the ignition was made for NON-resistor spark plugs. Not considering this, I pulled out the book and bought two new Champion spark plugs which were listed for the unit. I could not get the engine to fire with the new plugs? I cleaned the old Autolite plug that it came with and it fired right up?

I wondered about this for some time untill I read on Champion's website where the new two stroke Capacitor Discharge Ignitions are using resistor plugs to meet clean air standards. I always believed that a resistor plug was about radio interference? Not so. Certain two stroke engine makers are using resistor spark plugs to guarantee that the spark is hot enough to completely burn the fuel mix in the combustion chamber.

You should check the .010 inch air gap on the ignition module where it rides over the flywheel magnets. Over time that gap changes from vibration and this tends to make the engines harder to start. Give the engine a little extra oil in your fuel mix which will raise the hot restart compression readings.

Best wishes,
Bob.