"Contessa" wrote in message
...

I've just bought my first petrol lawnmower. It's a Gardenmaster SP21,
powered by a Honda 5.5 4-stroke engine. It was secondhand, but had
never been used. I find it very, very hard to start. My son eventually
managed to start it and used it for only about one minute, then stopped
it so I could have a go. Very hard to start again. I only went about 10
yards before stalling it. Now it refuses to start. What are we doing
wrong? I presume we should have the choke on to start, then move the
lever to the fast position in use? Thanks for any tips-I know very
little about engines.
--
Contessa

I could fall in love with a Contessa - but first - are you sure it was
"never" used ? Was the gas in it when you got it ? If, so, you might need
the carbueator, gas line and fuel tank cleaned out since old gas can crud
things up. If not, check the choke operation to make sure it is actually
closing to start and opening after it gets running.

Sarge on his knees professing his love