Thread: Temperamental 2 stroke engines.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

I usually do this also but wouldn't it also allow the rubber diaphragms etc to dry out and crack ?

Not really, the plasticisers in the rubber are slowly dissolved by contact with the fuel. Reducing that contact time to only the actual operating time will lengthen their life considerably. Storing the engine in a cool dry place helps too.

A squirt of "Start Ya Bastard" always starts my 2 strokes - even if the fuel is old. Starts my 101 on cold mornings too - through a specially installed port from the drivers seat straight into the inlet manifold.

Originally Posted by 350RRC

......................Yesterday I cracked it with the largish Stihl I have, heaps of compression, cold start, 10 pulls and I have a bone broken in the pulling hand. No nothing. Not happy, maybe even swearing.

Got the can of aerostart out of the Howard rotary hoe toolbox, little squirt on the air filter, instant go. That will be standard from now on.

The other saw I use for less than 4" stuff and one handed overhead, a $100 Ross 16" will start from cold after no more than 3 pulls but will never start from hot. Maybe aero is the inverse answer for that.

I have a cheapo brushcutter that will start hot or cold with old or new fuel and it has probably done at least 200 hrs of serious slog. Go figure!

cheers, DL

Have now found that the Ross saw gets the tiniest whisker across the plug electrodes when it is shut down hot and hence won't restart. Doesn't get this if it runs out of fuel; it can be restarted warm after a refuel.

Am using the recommended 25:1 fuel to oil mix, but starting to think that may be causing the plug prob.

DL

Originally Posted by 350RRC

Have now found that the Ross saw gets the tiniest whisker across the plug electrodes when it is shut down hot and hence won't restart. Doesn't get this if it runs out of fuel; it can be restarted warm after a refuel.

Am using the recommended 25:1 fuel to oil mix, but starting to think that may be causing the plug prob.

DL

If you're getting the plug whiskers then it's either too much oil or the wrong type or the plug is too cold or it's too rich. If it starts reliably when warm the plug heat range is probably ok. Check the plug gap is in the right range & then try leaning out the oil to 30:1 (assuming that the oil is capable of that i.e. Read the packet).
Have you checked the air filter? If it's dirty it will create all of your symptoms!

This is one of the reasons I bought an electric lawn mower. It was a great move.
My Stihl chain saw refused to start recently, despite changing the fuel, so it may be next to be replaced.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

This is one of the reasons I bought an electric lawn mower. It was a great move.
My Stihl chain saw refused to start recently, despite changing the fuel, so it may be next to be replaced.

Hmm, sounds like a solid plan. What happens when your Disco doesn't start one day? Will you buy a Prius? Just sayin..........

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

This is one of the reasons I bought an electric lawn mower. It was a great move.
My Stihl chain saw refused to start recently, despite changing the fuel, so it may be next to be replaced.

ive got a battery lawnmower. great thing!

Originally Posted by garrycol

A squirt of "Start Ya Bastard" always starts my 2 strokes - even if the fuel is old. Starts my 101 on cold mornings too - through a specially installed port from the drivers seat straight into the inlet manifold.

This conjures up all sorts of backfire images!!