Strimmer Problem

[Rebel 833]

Lads,

 

I am looking for a bit of advice/assistance and hat better site to ask on.

 

I have a petrol strimmer/bushcutter, that was working away grand when I put it away for the winter.

 

When I took it out during the week to do a bit with it, I can't pull the pull cord. I took off the cover thinking that the cord might have just got stuck but it seems to be ok.

 

Any idea what it could be and how if I could fix it, or if it has to be brought back to the dealer. It is an Oleo-Mac petrol strimmer.

 

Thanks,

[3 and counting 22]

Could be a few things mate. Was the fuel drained from the tank before putting away for the winter? Being 2 stroke, the fuel evaporates leaving behind a waxy gloopy mess inside the tank/engine, I have known this to 'lock' an engine solid. Best try removing the pull start and spark plug then see if it will turn over by hand, by turning the bottom head of the machine. removing the plug will relieve any compression making turning the engine easier and removing the pull start will indicate if that is causing the problem.

 

Someone else may have an other idea but I'd personally start from there.

[ratpackjack 272]

Plug out and turn it over i would say your spot on,they are pretty simple things to work on can't really break them to be fair

[Rebel 833]

Thanks for the replies lads.

 

I took out the fuel before putting it away for the winter and put a bit of oil in where the spark plug goes.

 

How do I turn it over by hand?

 

Good to hear that they are hard to break so hopefully there won't be any big cost with it.

 

Thanks again

Edited March 1, 2013 by Rebel

[3 and counting 22]

just give the bottom a twist, where the blade/line is. What oil and how much did you put in? Not a big problem but if it was a thick oil or quite a bit then the engine will be hydraulicing. as mentioned removing the plug will push the oil out of the hole.

[Rebel 833]

Thanks, I will try that. Why would that stop the pull cord from turning?

 

I'm not very mechanical, along with other things, lol.

[3 and counting 22]

easiest thing to do is to have a look on the net and see how a 2 stroke engine works. Bit in depth to explain the differences between 2 and 4 stroke here, but a simple way is to look at it as a car engine that has sucked in water into the cylinder. The engine is designed to compress air but water is harder and oil even more so.

 

http://www.animatedengines.com/twostroke.html

 

should give you an idea

[04fox8 168]

just give the bottom a twist, where the blade/line is. What oil and how much did you put in? Not a big problem but if it was a thick oil or quite a bit then the engine will be hydraulicing. as mentioned removing the plug will push the oil out of the hole.

Yup, agreed

There's not a lot of space in there, and if you put in any volume of oil it could well be hydraulic-ing.

As said, Plug out, give it a pull....(sounds suspect that )

Should then turn.

Could be it's f**ked right enuff, but I doubt it if it was ok last year.

 

My one just get's thrown into the shed and pulled out again next year, so far no problems getting it going, even with the old fuel in...which can give problems.

 

If it's turning, stick it back together

Fresh fuel / oil, clean the plug when you've got it out, give it a pull, and hopefully away ya go.

[Rebel 833]

Lads,

 

I didn't get a chance to have a look at the strimmer until this evening, and using the above advise that ye provided I got the strimmer working no problem. It's a bit smokey, when it's running, but hopefully that will improve when i use it a bit more, or will it?

 

Thanks again for your help, you saved me a few pound.

[3 and counting 22]

Probably just a bit of residual oil should burn off after a few uses. Wouldn't worry myself as all 2 strokes smoke lol.

[04fox8 168]

Probably just a bit of residual oil should burn off after a few uses. Wouldn't worry myself as all 2 strokes smoke lol.

Agreed! Smoke will be gone in no time.

Glad to hear you got it sorted!

[sussex 5,777]

This is a lot more than a hunting site.........bet there aint a thing that cant get fixed on THL........ :toast:

[Rebel 833]

Lol the fountain of all knowledge can be found on this thanks to the helpful and knowledgeable members.

 

While I have the attention of the experts, I bought a second hand ride on mower. It is a 13.5 Castel. There are no wheels on the cutting deck and at times it is scalping some of the grass. There are 4 holes located on the corners of the deck, and I was wondering if it is possible to get the wheels and fittings to put on the deck? Any idea where U could get them, hopefully second hand.

 

Thanks again.

[hounddog3 743]

try e bay or your local mower centre.

[04fox8 168]

Lol the fountain of all knowledge can be found on this thanks to the helpful and knowledgeable members.

 

While I have the attention of the experts, I bought a second hand ride on mower. It is a 13.5 Castel. There are no wheels on the cutting deck and at times it is scalping some of the grass. There are 4 holes located on the corners of the deck, and I was wondering if it is possible to get the wheels and fittings to put on the deck? Any idea where U could get them, hopefully second hand.

 

Thanks again.

Yes.

You can get them.

I did exactly that.

If I recall, they are hollow and come in 2 halves...I think.

Got them via local garden centre, but sure you'd get them cheaper on e-bay.