Starting a reluctant hedgetrimmer

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Starting a reluctant hedgetrimmer

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Jb

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7761
Location: 91� N

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 3:33 pm Post subject: Starting a reluctant hedgetrimmer
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?

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 3:48 pm Post subject:
Fresh fuel? If it's been hanging around for too long that's a problem.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46235
Location: yes

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 8:18 pm Post subject:
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

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6612
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 8:24 pm Post subject:

dpack wrote:

as above fresh fuel but old stuff usually leads to racing rather than a non starter

Not when there's ethanol mixed in that takes on water over winter, but I'm guessing your don't have that mandate over your way

Edit: Google says you do have ethanol as well. This may be useful: https://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-201505181900--tms--askbildrctnab-a20150529-20150529-story.html

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 8:29 pm Post subject:
Our fuel can have up to 10% ethanol in it. It's particularly common in cheap fuel, such as supermarkets.

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6612
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 8:38 pm Post subject:
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.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46235
Location: yes

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 9:04 pm Post subject:
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

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 10:50 pm Post subject:

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.

Hairyloon

Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.

Posted: Wed May 31, 17 10:53 pm Post subject:
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.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15984

Posted: Thu Jun 01, 17 7:10 am Post subject:

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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