On 04 Nov 2006 17:24:10 +0000 (GMT), Theo Markettos wrote:

Noticed there wasn't much petrol in it, so filled it up with what I
assume is unleaded from the can

Do you know how old that fuel is? Unleaded goes "off" if stored for afew
months in a non-vapour proof container. Many cheap plastic petrol "cans"
aren't particulary vapour proof.

With a few priming pumps I can get it to run for about 1-3 seconds
before it dies.

Could be blocked jet(s), filter or passageways within the carb.

I probably need some oil in there... what oil and what ratio? I'm
guessing it's two stroke since it's pretty basic - but how do I check?

Is there a oil filler/dipstick anywhere. My guess for a lawnmower engine
to be a four stroke unless it's *very* old.

Will I have damaged anything by running it without oil?

Look for that dipstick and see if you have run it without oil...

Anything else that might go wrong to a recently-working machine, or
that I might be doing silly with it?

Has it a manual choke?

Firstly I'd check the oil level (but that is probably OK) then take the
plug out and check it's appearance, condition and gap. Next have a look
at the carb and fuel filter and swap the old fuel for fresh.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail