"Simon Avery" wrote in message
...
(Col Forsyth) wrote:

Aha! A *proper* strimmer! I got two. (One for work, one for home)

One of them recently exhibited similar problems. It's Ok to start, but
won't idle and cuts out when you lift the head. But I think both our
problems are related - fuel supply.

The end of the porcelain should be a "light biscuit brown". This could
be down to air or fuel blockage (likely) or tuning.

Yep, plug is/was a light biscuit brown. Bit damp now from excessive
attempts at starting.

Remove engine cover. Wash it in a bowl of soapy water.

Close choke, remove air filter. Wash in soapy water and dry.

This is about the only thing I havent done.

Remove the four allen keys that hold the start cord assembly on.
Remove. Clean this thoroughly AND the fan inside the engine too. Can
get very dirty as this is the first place muck meets when it's sucked
over the engine. Wash the assembly in soapy water and dry. Also clean
the two dogs on the assembly carefully and give them a light grease.
When refitting - introduce gently and pull the cord slowly until you
hear the dogs "click" into position - too rough and they can snap off.

Yep, had all this off and cleaned everything. Had the pickup off and
refitted
with the 10 thou clearance to the magnets as suggested by repai man.


Now retry with the cover off (but air filter in place) - keeping your
hands away from the spark plug and HT circuit. It may run sluggish a
few seconds if the air filter is still damp, but will clear quickly.

Nope, no such luck !


You've removed the fuel filter (bad idea for a long period, btw). They
can be replaced cheaply and worth doing anyway. Another thing is to
remove the fuel line from the carb and blow down it to ensure it's not
blocked. Fuel lines can perish and collapse, or get pinched in the
case - the only way to check is to suck through it - but ensure fuel
tank's dry first...


With the filter ON and the fuel cap FITTED I blew down the pipe and hey
presto
a fountain, so I guess the filter is ok !

If it runs for a bit then cuts out, try freeing the fuel cap. The
breather section in the middle can block sometimes causing a vacuum -
you'll hear a small hiss if this is the case.


Thought about that, but no such luck. Been slackening it every dozen or
so pulls.

If all *that* fails, the next step would be to take the carby apart
and clean it - but that can be very fiddly and might be worth leaving
to your expert. It's possibly the diaphragm has a puncture which will
make it run very lean.


Had the carb off, gave it a good blow thru. Nothing obvious. Diaphram in
good
condition as was the rubber tip on the main needle. Also discovered the
breather thru
into the inlet that he spoke of, seemed fine.


HTH, any probs just ask.

--
Simon Avery, Dartmoor, UK Ý http://www.digdilem.org/


Guess its gonna have to be a trip to Dr Huskie ! However, thanks very much
for
the extensive reply. I'll let you know what fixes it !!!

Col