On Friday, 9 October 2015 09:01:42 UTC+1, Stephen wrote:
On Fri, 9 Oct 2015 00:25:34 -0700 (PDT), harry
wrote:



Or "Bradex Easy Start".

Thanks. I have found this on the Halfords web site. Some google
results refer to it as Holts easy start but the photos are identical,
so either Bradex owns Holts or vice versa.

They all contain ether to help starting.
If you have a propane blowlamp, you can direct gas down the air intake to help starting.

I hadn't thought of that. That's a good idea and would save me a trip
to Halfords.

Yes fresh petrol is best. There are volatiles in it to help starting that disappear if it is stored.

Like Chris said, I have heard this but how does it evaporate from a
metal tank? Is it that the seal is not very good?

The petrol tank has a vent. In the Summer heat it lets the volatiles out.