As for starting it: I've had mine for about 5 years and haven't had a
problem.
I push the primer "button" 4 times. put it on full choke and pull. The
first time it "spits" like it wants to start, turn the choke off and it
should start right up.

For winters, I add gas stabilizer to the gas and run it enough so that I
know the stabilized gas has filled the float bowl. Then I make sure that
the tank is full and put it away. Never had a problem.





--
Steve