[olly beak 65]

Any advice on a non staring rotavator,last used in the autumn. Doesn't seem to want to start. I've changed fuel,but still no joy. Any suggestions?

[grendel]

clear the carburettor through with a carburettor spray, sometimes the fuel left in the bowl of the carburettor can evaporate to a dusty powder over the winter, this can then block the jets. to see if its a fuel or spark problem take out the spark plug and squirt a little fuel direct into the cylinder, if it fires up and runs for a few seconds its a blockage in the carb or fuel system, if it doesnt fire then you will need to look at the points and coil, a good clean up and checking the points gap usually does the trick.
I usually have to do both carb and points every spring on my 45 year old rotovator, when doing the ignition remember to clean the spark plug and check it is gapped properly.
Grendel

[olly beak 65]

Thanks Grendel. Sprayed some quick start in to intake and it fired up straight away then died. Suspect a blockage myself.
will investigate further.

[grendel]

strip the carb out and blow through the jets with spray carb cleaner, dont forget to count the turns on any adjustable jets you take out, sometimes easier to count the turns in until it stops, then when reassembling screw it in to the stops and unwind the right amount. my bet will be crud in the bowl blocking the jets, to stop this I shut down the fuel at the end of a session and then keep it running until it stops, this empties the fuel from the float bowl, which when it dries up leaves a dust in the bowl which blocks the jets.
Grendel

[olly beak 65]

Thanks Grendel. Got the lad to strip the carb and give everything a good clean. Result.... One working rotavator.