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JB
Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Posts: 7748 Location: 91° N
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Posted: Wed May 31, 17 3:33 pm Post subject: Starting a reluctant hedgetrimmer |
 
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OK it wont start. A squirt of lighter fuel in the cylinder gets it to fire sdo I obviously have, spark and compression. SO what's next to try? |
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sean Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 41939 Location: North Devon
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Posted: Wed May 31, 17 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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Fresh fuel? If it's been hanging around for too long that's a problem. |
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dpack
Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 34737 Location: yes
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Posted: Wed May 31, 17 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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easy start spray down the air intake can be effective with older engines
clean air filter
clean fuel tank, pipe and carb ( a bit of muck in the carb jet is a common problem )
as above fresh fuel but old stuff usually leads to racing rather than a non starter |
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Slim
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 5345 Location: New England (In the US of A)
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Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 33935 Location: Hereford
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Posted: Wed May 31, 17 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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Our fuel can have up to 10% ethanol in it. It's particularly common in cheap fuel, such as supermarkets. |
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Slim
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 5345 Location: New England (In the US of A)
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Posted: Wed May 31, 17 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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If that's the case, I'd fill up the tank of every small engine you own every autumn and add something like sta-bil fuel stabilizer at the same time. |
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dpack
Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 34737 Location: yes
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Posted: Wed May 31, 17 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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that certainly wont help,
the old stuff i replaced last time i used the chainsaw started fine but i recon the "moderating" additives had gone off , hence the racing/knocking and hitting the stop button asap
note to self ,find a use for a couple of litres of old fuel  |
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Hairyloon
Joined: 20 Nov 2008 Posts: 15151 Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
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Posted: Wed May 31, 17 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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Nick wrote: |
Our fuel can have up to 10% ethanol in it. It's particularly common in cheap fuel, such as supermarkets. |
I am told from one source that the premium unleaded has less alcohol, but I'm told from another (who I believe has done reasonable internet research) that there are no hard and fast rules: there is huge variation even within the same brand.  |
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Hairyloon
Joined: 20 Nov 2008 Posts: 15151 Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
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Posted: Wed May 31, 17 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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Personally, I think if I used my reluctant hedge trimmer any more than I do, I'd throw it away and get a battery one: it is a better tool on several counts. |
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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 10312
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Posted: Thu Jun 01, 17 7:10 am Post subject: |
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If the hedge trimmer is a 2 stroke also check the spark plug. I drove a moped for some years and got quite good at cleaning and resetting the spark plug gap. If a 4 stroke, probably a good idea to have a look anyway. Our chemistry teacher at school once read us a very amusing bit about starting a motor mower, which I think covered the situation quite well, but sadly can't remember the details after something like 50 years. |
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