From page 19
air filter. Before removing the filter to clean it, however, blow away any external dust or caked oil and dust, lest when you remove the filter and spark plug some of this gunk enters either the carburettor or cylinder. With the outside of the engine clean, remove the air filter and clean it well. If it is a foam filter wash the foam in warm soapy water and let it dry before impregnating it with light oil according to the engine manufacturer ' s instructions. Don ' t oversaturate the element or you will restrict its ability to allow air to flow through. If it is a filter incorporating a micromembrane wash it well and blow it dry with a light jet of air from your compressor. Next, remove the spark plug and clean it. If you have been pulling and pulling on the starter cord the chances are that the end of the plug will be wet with fuel and oil mix, and this is the key to both your problem and its solution. With a small piece of fine sandpaper brighten up the two tips of the plug and, using a small screwdriver or piece of wire scrape away any carbon that has built up in the recess of the plug. Blow it clean with your compressor. If the plug is heavily carbonated and black, or the points are worn,
MACHINERY
replace it. All of this maintenance work presupposes, of course, that you are using a fresh batch of fuel mix. Counter-intuitively( because it is oil-derived), petrol is hygroscopic, ie it absorbs moisture from the air over time. As a result, last season ' s fuel mix will have lost much of its“ vooma”, even if stored in a sealed container and this alone could be the source of your problem. Replace old fuel with a fresh mix. Before replacing either the spark plug or the air filter, blow air into the air intake with your compressor while simultaneously pulling on the starter cord. Depending on how long you spent pulling the starter cord attempting to start the machine, this should result in a fine mist of fuel and oil being emitted from both the spark plug hole and the exhaust ~ evidence that you ' d well and truly flooded the engine. Replace the spark plug, ensuring it is properly connected electrically, and the air filter. Engage the choke and attempt to start the machine. Give it no more than two or three pulls. Did it at least kick over? Yes? Disengage the choke and pull again on full throttle. It should start after one or two
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