Fill the gas tank with a funnel to avoid spilling gas on the engine (spilled gas could ignite if the engine is hot, so ideally wait until it cools).
Check oil level as described below.
- Use new fuel. Old fuel may make it difficult to start, especially fuel containing ethanol that attracts moisture and can cause corrosion. As the fuel evaporates, you can leave a deposit of rubber, gel or varnish that can clog or glue moving parts. Use a fuel stabilization product such as STA-BIL to keep fuel fresh during storage. Once you have the lawnmower running, you can add the old fuel to the fuel in the tank, little by little during the season to use it.
- The throttle control must be set to the full revolution position. The motors have a device called choke (basically a plate that acts as a blockage in the air inlet) which makes the fuel vapor sucked into the engine "richer" or more concentrated, and this helps to begin. In some cutters, the choke is completely automatic and shuts off when the engine runs for a few seconds. On other mowers, the throttle must be set to an initial start/choke position that ignites the choke mechanism. Once the engine starts, the throttle control returns to the Operation setting. A third scenario is that the choke is completely manual and must be turned on. Usually there is a small lever to do this that should slide into position. This is often the case with portable generators. If a choke is separate, turn it on when starting a cold engine and turn it off after the engine has been running for approximately 5 seconds. Do not use the choke if the engine has been running for the last 10 minutes or so.
- If the motor has a choke button, press it and release it about 5 times in total. Primer is a small pump (such as pump action in a bottle of window cleaner) whose function is to suck fuel up into the carburetor from the vessel or floating tank. This allows for easier starting, without requiring multiple pulls of the starter cable to suck fuel into the carburetor.
- Pull the starter rope until you feel resistance. Let it come back gently and then pull the cable tightly. This should be repeated until the engine starts but no more than 4 times.
- If the engine has not started at this stage, press the priming button several more times and try to start the engine again by pulling the cable several times. If it does not start, it may have flooded, so leave it for a while for the fuel to evaporate.
- Once the engine has started and has been running for a few seconds, turn off the choke (If it is a manual control) or change the throttle from the start to the operating position (if there is a start position on the accelerator as described above))
Important!
Check the oil level regularly: the low oil level in an engine can cause premature wear. No oil at all will quickly cause a motor failure.