"Connor T" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

i've just gained a rotavator with a briggs and stratton engine, which
has a choke and a throttle.

How should it be started? I havent got the knack of it yet! Choke out
presumably, throttle full? half?

Someone recommended putting a bit of fuel in the cylinder with some oil
and turning slowly to get it all lubed up first..

Thanks!
Dan

If a B&S has been sitting with fuel in the carb over winter the jets will be
either blocked or nearly blocked and the fuel in the float bowl will be
"dead" (as far as the higher more evaporative elements need to start it are
concerned).
If that is the case throw away any fuel in it and use some "Carb Cleaner" as
directed.
As for Leaded fuel - No Briggs has run on that for decades! Anything since
1970s should be run on unleaded. They do run/start better on unleaded.
And remember when you finish using it to switch off the fuel and let it run
dry.
As for starting - Full choke - one pull - choke off - one pull. (If the
throttle is on a governor don't touch it - if on a lever put to full - most
Briggs have a lever connected to the governor spring not direct to the
butterfly, so the butterfly will always be open at start.).
As for squirting fuel down the bore - OK it does work but it's just as quick
to take off the air filter and do it in there as you will see if it is
flooded.
For easier starting I recommend opening the plug gap to 0.030" (But if it
misfires at full load close it down a bit)
If it does not start also check:
- That there is compression - The valves sometimes stick if left.
- That the flywheel key has not sheared.
- The air cleaner is clean - Foam type needs oiling

Slatts.