Ok after doing the same, fixing 2 strokes, then moving on to 4 strokes due to demand from the uneducated ive got a few tips i can pass on.


First up, grumpys trick for starting them. Invaluable. You wont see me publish it but its a bit of info i pass on to anyone who buys one off me.

Second bit of info is the same as a 2 stoke, no ethanol ever.

Third bit, every time before you start it (or start looking at a potential new purchase/new arrival to fix) check the oil. The time you dont check it is the time you blow it up because its got no oil in it.

Another good tip, is check underneath, the shaft about the disc for string etc, before chainging the oil nothing like $5 worth of new oil all over the top of the blade plate to make a mess and take the profit out of it.

Checking for oil before you do anything to it will tell you if its had love and if theres been a chance its been run dry. If it has, the con rod could be stretched if its not completely broken.


Head to a truck parts joint and lay down the $60 on a 20L drum of shock treatment degreaser.
Wash the sucker.

Then pull the cover off (starter first if its a side start), i put a blocked off snorkel adapter on the carb, and wash the sucker again.


First thing i do is remove the head. Check the bore. Check the valve clearances. If they are no good and the bore is OK, reset them and put it back together. If its no good, throw it.

Check for spark. If its no good, flywheel off and check points if its got em. Its easy to tell, theres two wires go in under the flywheel. If you cant fiddle them back to life, put on an electronic coil. Electronic coil just has the wire from the coil to the kill switch.

While the fuel tank is off (easier to just take it off while removing the head), check the fuel. If its bad pour it out and check for water in the bottom of the tank. If its got some you will have to leave it air dry, or cook it.

Try starting it. Air cleaner off. Some carbs need the air cleaner hold down screw to be in the hole or they wont work right. Cant remember whats what so i just leave em in everything.
If it starts its all good. If it doesnt try a bit of fuel down the carb. do it a few times. If it fires then dies out and just keeps doing that and the mixture screw is not set way out you will have to lift the carb of and check the diaphragm. Sometimes they stick, sometimes they are stuffed.

Thats about it.


Bob.