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.

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:53:28 +0100, Contessa
wrote:


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.

A local small engine shop can help you out. Sounds to me the
carburetor needs inspection and cleaning. More like air and fuel, is
the problem.

"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

I'm sure it was never used-there was oil but no petrol. Will ckeck out the choke-the lever is quite stiff.
Thanks for your reply- a Contessa really shouldn't have to mow the lawn!

"Contessa" wrote in message
...

Srgnt Billko;798318 Wrote:
"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

I'm sure it was never used-there was oil but no petrol. Will ckeck out
the choke-the lever is quite stiff.
Thanks for your reply- a Contessa really shouldn't have to mow the
lawn!

--
Contessa

We have a spray oil called WD-40 over here that loosens things up. I
wondered about a Contessa mowing the lawn - let the son do it ? Or better
yet, let me, your humble servant do it. As far as the "lever being quite
stiff" - that's another story.

Sarge who's 71 and wrists, knees, shoulders and elbows are stiff - but
that's all LOL