LAZARUS the lawnmower is alive and ...

[superquag]

Would'nt it rot your socks!

Our not-so-old Bunnings lawnmower, 'Talon' was wonderful when new, starting on the first gentle pull.

However, a year or two old and the reliability plummeted... eventually suffering the kind attentions of #3 son. - Him of zero mechanical ability at that stage of life, and doubly so 'cos said son pulled the carby apart....

Could'nt get it to start easily after putting it together again, then would NOT run, then not even a hint of starting. Thus it was consigned to a place of shame beneath the lime tree, where it's rusted and wasted for two years. Along with whatever petrol was in the tank.

Our street is having a verge collection. (at long last!) and this piece of rubbish is getting wheeled out ....when a family of cockroaches appears and retreats amongst the starter cord. Naturally I want to 'entertain' them...and give the cord a pull.

It starts.....

So I mowed the lawn with it. Dunno how, was almost falling over with laughter and glee.

'Her Inside' was not amused.... especially as it's parked under the orange tree now...

[roverrescue]

That is gold!
I too have an old talon which must contain the same oriental magic.
Mine is a chainsaw that was bought for a single weekend job clearing an overgrown block.
Despite 10 years of complete disdain for servicing or concern for fuel/oil ratio it just wont die.

I really want it to die so I can replace it with a proper saw - but it just keeps bumbling along.

S

[PhilipA]

IMHO the trick with ANY 2 stroke is to empty the tank when finished sawing or whatever, then start it up until it stops.

I have a McCulloch 1485 whippersnipper which is now maybe 20 years old or so, which starts first time and has never had even a spark plug, although the fuel line disintegrated from age a couple of years ago, and was replaced for $5.
I always empty the carb on all my 2 strokes and I use Stabil in my four strokes and never had a problem. Bit hard with a 2 stroke mower so I always buy 4 strokes.
Regards Philip A

[loanrangie]

IMHO the trick with ANY 2 stroke is to empty the tank when finished sawing or whatever, then start it up until it stops.

I have a McCulloch 1485 whippersnipper which is now maybe 20 years old or so, which starts first time and has never had even a spark plug, although the fuel line disintegrated from age a couple of years ago, and was replaced for $5.
I always empty the carb on all my 2 strokes and I use Stabil in my four strokes and never had a problem. Bit hard with a 2 stroke mower so I always buy 4 strokes.
Regards Philip A

Stale fuel has been the demise of many an innocent 2 stroke powered device.