I know there's a couple of you guys out there - I think you both bought a
Quickfire Ryobi brushcutter a couple of weeks ago.

I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going twice,
but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

It doesn't seem to be the engine flooded (I've removed the spark plug and
pulled the start cord as instructed) and this doesn't solve the problem.

So, the question is - is the Quickfire any easier to start, or does it still
take a bit of time?

I think I'll be returning this one anyway, but am interested to see if
there's anything better for the same (ish) price.

Thanks,
Piers

On Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00:48 +0100, Piers Finlayson wrote:

It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going twice,
but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

Two strokes can be a right pig to start and you have to get to know your
particular engine... With mine, a Ryobi of nearly 10 years old I find the
following a resonably reliable way fo starting it from cold.

1) Make sure it has fuel, at least half a tank.
2) Set the choke to full.
3) Set the run/stop switch to run.
4) Hold the throttle fully open.
5) Pull hard and fast.
6) Repeat pulls, if it doesn't so *any* sign of life after about 3 or 4
pulls give it a few more primes.
7) The moment it makes *any* attempt to fire set the choke to 1/2.
8) Keep pulling...
9) Mine will normally run (badly) on about the third pull after setting
the choke to 1/2.
10) Keep the throttle fully open until it's settled down.
11) Slowly release the throttle it may idle or it may die.
12) Set the choke to none and restart.

Once it's hot starting isn't a problem.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00:48 +0100, Piers Finlayson wrote:

I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going twice,
but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

It doesn't seem to be the engine flooded (I've removed the spark plug and
pulled the start cord as instructed) and this doesn't solve the problem.

So, the question is - is the Quickfire any easier to start, or does it still
take a bit of time?

I've had my Ryobi RBC-30SESA Brush Cutter with Hedge cutter for one week.
I've had problems starting it but it's my fault. There is a lever that can
be set to start or run. This lever must be set to start when starting -
once started it changes automatically to run. Yep :-( next time I try to
start it the lever is still on run :-( Once I realise my mistake and reset
the lever to start it usually starts with 3/4 pulls on the cord.

Thought I'd overdone things by getting a Brush Cutter. Tried the strimmer
attachment and thought it would have been all I needed - until tonight -
*no* way - big nettles and all sorts. The strimmer just tangled itself up.
Went back to the Brush Cutter - perfect - no problems :-)

I think I'm happy with the Ryobi. I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks
when I've cleared my (big) garden :-)
--
Regards,

Hugh Jampton

Piers Finlayson wrote:

I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going twice,
but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

Well so far I have actually found mine easier to start than I was lead
to believe by what I read in advance. Perhaps I have just been lucky[1].

My starting procedure (from cold):

1) Turn choke on, leave the throttle alone.
2) Push clear plastic priming tit 4 times - allowing it to refill with
fuel after each push.
3) Turn switch to on.
4) Give two or three pulls on the string - it will fire on the second or
third pull.
5) leave it idling with the choke on for ten seconds, Then squeeze the
throttle to max - this disengages the choke. The engine should now rev
and return to idle.

From warm it seems to start with just a pull and no need for priming,
choke or throttle.

[1] One area I have deviated slightly from the recommendations is that I
am running mine on super unleaded - this was not intentional, but the
can of fuel I happened to have at hand was one I filled up the same time
as my car. Never having tried it on regular unleaded I have no idea if
this makes it any easier to start. FWIW I am using the red coloured
Stihl 2 stroke oil.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Thu, 5 Jun 2008 19:00:48 +0100, Piers Finlayson wrote:

It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going twice,
but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

Two strokes can be a right pig to start and you have to get to know your
particular engine... With mine, a Ryobi of nearly 10 years old I find the
following a resonably reliable way fo starting it from cold.

1) Make sure it has fuel, at least half a tank.
2) Set the choke to full.
3) Set the run/stop switch to run.
4) Hold the throttle fully open.
5) Pull hard and fast.
6) Repeat pulls, if it doesn't so *any* sign of life after about 3 or 4
pulls give it a few more primes.
7) The moment it makes *any* attempt to fire set the choke to 1/2.
8) Keep pulling...
9) Mine will normally run (badly) on about the third pull after setting
the choke to 1/2.
10) Keep the throttle fully open until it's settled down.
11) Slowly release the throttle it may idle or it may die.
12) Set the choke to none and restart.

Once it's hot starting isn't a problem.

THIS is the correct approach.

Two more things to add.

Some 2=-strokes have a bulb you press to get fuel from te tahk into the
carb.Press it till it feels full.

On one machine I had a blocked 'clunk' - possibly due to tank being left
empty, when oil in fule dstays in clunk after fuel has evaporated.
Solution was to remove clunk and reverse blow it after washing in fuel
mixture.

"Piers Finlayson" wrote in message
...
I know there's a couple of you guys out there - I think you both bought a
Quickfire Ryobi brushcutter a couple of weeks ago.

I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going
twice, but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

It doesn't seem to be the engine flooded (I've removed the spark plug and
pulled the start cord as instructed) and this doesn't solve the problem.

So, the question is - is the Quickfire any easier to start, or does it
still take a bit of time?

I think I'll be returning this one anyway, but am interested to see if
there's anything better for the same (ish) price.


Thanks all for the replies. The process I've been going through (following
the instructions and fairly similar to all your recommendations) is:
- press plastic bulb up to somewhere between 4-7 times
- choke on full
- throttle on full
- pull hard 3-4 times
- as soon as it tries to fire put choke on half
- pull again.

Now at this point, when completely cold and following this procedure for the
first time it will often fire up, and then stall a few seconds later (me
getting the throttle on full the whole time - if I let off it dies
immediately). When I try and start it again, either with the choke half or
off, it then shows no life again.

I think the main problems are
- this unit is a pig to start anyway
- this being my first 2 stroke engine I don't have the knack yet.

Any other words of advice? I may spend a bit more time on it this weekend,
and if I still don't get the knack replace it with something else. Those
weeds aren't getting any smaller ...

Thanks,
Piers

On Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:53:08 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Some 2=-strokes have a bulb you press to get fuel from te tahk into the
carb.Press it till it feels full.

Where did that stage go? You notice I mention repriming in 6) and I
distinctly remember typing something like "Press the prime button the
requisite number of times"! Oh well...

Mr Rumm's comment about letting the bulb refill between presses is valid.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Piers Finlayson" wrote in message
...

"Piers Finlayson" wrote in message
...
I know there's a couple of you guys out there - I think you both bought a
Quickfire Ryobi brushcutter a couple of weeks ago.

I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going
twice, but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

It doesn't seem to be the engine flooded (I've removed the spark plug and
pulled the start cord as instructed) and this doesn't solve the problem.

So, the question is - is the Quickfire any easier to start, or does it
still take a bit of time?

I think I'll be returning this one anyway, but am interested to see if
there's anything better for the same (ish) price.


Thanks all for the replies. The process I've been going through
(following the instructions and fairly similar to all your
recommendations) is:
- press plastic bulb up to somewhere between 4-7 times
- choke on full
- throttle on full
- pull hard 3-4 times
- as soon as it tries to fire put choke on half
- pull again.

Now at this point, when completely cold and following this procedure for
the first time it will often fire up, and then stall a few seconds later
(me getting the throttle on full the whole time - if I let off it dies
immediately). When I try and start it again, either with the choke half
or off, it then shows no life again.

I think the main problems are
- this unit is a pig to start anyway
- this being my first 2 stroke engine I don't have the knack yet.

Any other words of advice? I may spend a bit more time on it this
weekend, and if I still don't get the knack replace it with something
else. Those weeds aren't getting any smaller ...

Yes take it back to the supplier and ask them to look at it / service it.
Often a new plug correctly gapped works wonders.

FWIW - i've got a brace of Stihl trimmers and strimmers- and they all will
fire after 2 pulls from cold on choke, (primed and throttle set to Start)
then 1/2 choke and two pulls it's away. When warm, one pull no choke
everytime.

2 strokes can be finnicky but there is no excuse for it not to start easily
especially as its practically new!!

Tim..

On Fri, 6 Jun 2008 09:04:54 +0100, Piers Finlayson wrote:

Now at this point, when completely cold and following this procedure for
the first time it will often fire up, and then stall a few seconds later
(me getting the throttle on full the whole time - if I let off it dies
immediately).

That's what mine does at that point.

When I try and start it again, either with the choke half or off, it
then shows no life again.

Depending on how much it ran with the throttle held open I'll either give
it a couple of primes(*) and try again at half choke or go back to full
choke and primes. The former when it ran for say 5 to 10s before dieing,
the later it it hardly ran at all.

- this unit is a pig to start anyway
- this being my first 2 stroke engine I don't have the knack yet.

Combination I suspect, IMHO all two strokes are pig from cold. As I said
you need to get know your engine. Mine was a bit difficult the other week
but that was the first start after just being left about Oct Nov last year
and on the half tank of "old" petrol.

(*) I prime on the basis that it squirts a bit of fuel into the venturi of
the carb but TBH I'm not sure it does on this engine. It certainly does on
my B&S 4 stroke though but that has no choke.

--
Cheers
Dave.

Piers Finlayson wrote:
"Piers Finlayson" wrote in message
...
I know there's a couple of you guys out there - I think you both bought a
Quickfire Ryobi brushcutter a couple of weeks ago.

I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going
twice, but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

It doesn't seem to be the engine flooded (I've removed the spark plug and
pulled the start cord as instructed) and this doesn't solve the problem.

So, the question is - is the Quickfire any easier to start, or does it
still take a bit of time?

I think I'll be returning this one anyway, but am interested to see if
there's anything better for the same (ish) price.


Thanks all for the replies. The process I've been going through (following
the instructions and fairly similar to all your recommendations) is:
- press plastic bulb up to somewhere between 4-7 times
- choke on full
- throttle on full
- pull hard 3-4 times
- as soon as it tries to fire put choke on half
- pull again.

Now at this point, when completely cold and following this procedure for the
first time it will often fire up, and then stall a few seconds later

Almost certainly it's not getting fuel properly.


(me
getting the throttle on full the whole time - if I let off it dies
immediately). When I try and start it again, either with the choke half or
off, it then shows no life again.

No fuel. I suspcet you hjave a blocked fuel line or maybe main jet.


I think the main problems are
- this unit is a pig to start anyway
- this being my first 2 stroke engine I don't have the knack yet.

Any other words of advice? I may spend a bit more time on it this weekend,
and if I still don't get the knack replace it with something else. Those
weeds aren't getting any smaller ...

See if you can isolate the fuel line and take it off the carb and blow
back down it to the tank and see bubbles.


The othert thig tyo check is the choke. I had a 4 stroke briggs
servced..valves re-ground in etc..it became an utter pig to sart though
eventually it would,

One day the pull cord broke from all that strain,and I dismantled it to
fit a new one..and noticed the choke lever wasn't applying the choke due
to being badly set up.

3 sceod with a screwdriver made it start good as new..

Thanks,
Piers

"Piers Finlayson" wrote in message
...
I know there's a couple of you guys out there - I think you both bought a
Quickfire Ryobi brushcutter a couple of weeks ago.

I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going
twice, but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

It doesn't seem to be the engine flooded (I've removed the spark plug and
pulled the start cord as instructed) and this doesn't solve the problem.

So, the question is - is the Quickfire any easier to start, or does it
still take a bit of time?

I think I'll be returning this one anyway, but am interested to see if
there's anything better for the same (ish) price.


Again, thanks all.

Given that this is a brand new item (I had it about a week) and it doesn't
start easily or as described in the instructions, I'm sending it back to
Screwfix.

I'll head out to the sheds/garden centres tomorrow for a replacement. If
anyone can recommend anywhere good in the Oswestry or Welshpool areas, do
let me know!

Piers

Piers Finlayson wrote:
"Piers Finlayson" wrote in message
...
I know there's a couple of you guys out there - I think you both bought a
Quickfire Ryobi brushcutter a couple of weeks ago.

I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going
twice, but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

It doesn't seem to be the engine flooded (I've removed the spark plug and
pulled the start cord as instructed) and this doesn't solve the problem.

So, the question is - is the Quickfire any easier to start, or does it
still take a bit of time?

I think I'll be returning this one anyway, but am interested to see if
there's anything better for the same (ish) price.


Again, thanks all.

Given that this is a brand new item (I had it about a week) and it doesn't
start easily or as described in the instructions, I'm sending it back to
Screwfix.

I'll head out to the sheds/garden centres tomorrow for a replacement. If
anyone can recommend anywhere good in the Oswestry or Welshpool areas, do
let me know!

Piers



If you want to enjoy going to a truly old-fashioned ironmongers which
sells all sorts (nails by the pound through to tractors), there's always
Bunners in Montgomery. Undoubtedly they will have some decent
brushcutters, etc. (I assume they are still going - haven't been for a
few years now.)

Not a recommendation as such, but there's always
http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk in Newtown. (Used to be the cheap shop
many years ago.)

There's also the agricultural merchants (name escapes me) on the
industrial estate round the back of the railway station in Welshpool. (I
know "station" is far too grand a name for that!)

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

On 5 Jun, 19:00, "Piers Finlayson" wrote:
I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start.

I've a couple of Ryobis, both the 25cc and the 30cc. They're both easy
to start cold, very easy when hot, and a right sod when barely warm.

You seem to need to have to learn your particular machine's behaviour.
Some web bloggage says the 25cc is better than the 30, some say then
30 better than the 25. I've used two 25s (same day, same petrol) and
they were individually different.

The big thing is petrol. _MUST_ be fresh, especially these days. Be
careful using a mixing bottle, especially a big one. Don't mix more
petrol than you're going to use in the next day or two. "Putting it
away for later" always means a month later in hindsight, then it's
troublesome. Dispose of waste petrol by diluting it into a car tank,
don't be tempted to bonfire it!

The primer bulb is nicely done. It's small, so the "8 pumps from cold"
can be reduced to 4 or fewer when re-starting. However you do need to
wait for it to fill again after releasing it.

If you're having trouble, check that the choke is set right. There are
three positions, but the centre position doesn't have a detent and
tends to spring back to "open" when pulling the starter.

Mostly I have no trouble starting it (choked), but it cuts when I
first open the throttle. The trick is to open very gradually, and not
to open it fully if the choke is shut unless it's really cold. If you
have to, warm it up under load by strimming a bit on the choke alone.

I've never had any ignition trouble on a Ryobi.

Piers Finlayson wrote:

Thanks all for the replies. The process I've been going through (following
the instructions and fairly similar to all your recommendations) is:
- press plastic bulb up to somewhere between 4-7 times
- choke on full

ok so far..

- throttle on full

Try it with no throttle.

- pull hard 3-4 times
- as soon as it tries to fire put choke on half

Once fired, let it run for ten secs and then try full throttle - that
will take the choke off as well.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:08:05 +0100, John Rumm wrote:

Once fired, let it run for ten secs and then try full throttle - that
will take the choke off as well.

There is no link betwixt throttle and choke on my Ryobi strimmer but maybe
more modern ones do. Follow up just to clarify that different engines have
different arrangements. B-)

I might try starting mine sans full throttle next time and see how it
goes. I have always used full throttle in the past and it's been OK.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On 6 Jun, 15:22, "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:

There is no link betwixt throttle and choke on my Ryobi strimmer

Pneumatic link via the inlet manifold. When you open the throttle and
increase revs, the increased vacuum dislodges the choke flap.

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...
On 5 Jun, 19:00, "Piers Finlayson" wrote:
I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start.

I've a couple of Ryobi's, both the 25cc and the 30cc. They're both easy
to start cold, very easy when hot, and a right sod when barely warm.

You seem to need to have to learn your particular machine's behaviour.
Some web bloggage says the 25cc is better than the 30, some say then
30 better than the 25. I've used two 25s (same day, same petrol) and
they were individually different.

The big thing is petrol. _MUST_ be fresh, especially these days. Be
careful using a mixing bottle, especially a big one. Don't mix more
petrol than you're going to use in the next day or two. "Putting it
away for later" always means a month later in hindsight, then it's
troublesome. Dispose of waste petrol by diluting it into a car tank,
don't be tempted to bonfire it!

The primer bulb is nicely done. It's small, so the "8 pumps from cold"
can be reduced to 4 or fewer when re-starting. However you do need to
wait for it to fill again after releasing it.

If you're having trouble, check that the choke is set right. There are
three positions, but the centre position doesn't have a detent and
tends to spring back to "open" when pulling the starter.

Mostly I have no trouble starting it (choked), but it cuts when I
first open the throttle. The trick is to open very gradually, and not
to open it fully if the choke is shut unless it's really cold. If you
have to, warm it up under load by strimming a bit on the choke alone.

I've never had any ignition trouble on a Ryobi.

Mine Used to start easily , now 2 years old has no spark after a winters
rest and I think needs a new coil which my dealer tells me he is unable to
source, any ideas ???

On 6 Jun, 20:35, "Leveled" wrote:
"Andy Dingley" wrote in message

...





On 5 Jun, 19:00, "Piers Finlayson" wrote:
I recently bought the Screwfix special offer Ryobi (61459 when it was on
99.99). *It's an absolute pig to start.

I've a couple of Ryobi's, both the 25cc and the 30cc. They're both easy
to start cold, very easy when hot, and a right sod when barely warm.

You seem to need to have to learn your particular machine's behaviour.
Some web bloggage says the 25cc is better than the 30, some say then
30 better than the 25. I've used two 25s (same day, same petrol) and
they were individually different.

The big thing is petrol. _MUST_ be fresh, especially these days. Be
careful using a mixing bottle, especially *a big one. Don't mix more
petrol than you're going to use in the next day or two. "Putting it
away for later" always means a month later in hindsight, then it's
troublesome. Dispose of waste petrol by diluting it into a car tank,
don't be tempted to bonfire it!

The primer bulb is nicely done. It's small, so the "8 pumps from cold"
can be reduced to 4 or fewer when re-starting. However you do need to
wait for it to fill again after releasing it.

If you're having trouble, check that the choke is set right. There are
three positions, but the centre position doesn't have a detent and
tends to spring back to "open" when pulling the starter.
I have a stihl strimmer & if I have to stop, and then try & restart
it's a pig; being hot I don't use choke, just prime;
any tips valued


Mostly I have no troublestartingit (choked), but it cuts when I
first open the throttle. The trick is to open very gradually, and not
to open it fully if the choke is shut unless it's really cold. If you
have to, warm it up under load by strimming a bit on the choke alone.

I've never had any ignition trouble on a Ryobi.

Mine Used to *start easily , *now2years old has no spark after a winters
rest and I think needs a new coil which my dealer tells me he is unable to
source, any ideas ???- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Gel wrote:

I have a stihl strimmer & if I have to stop, and then try & restart
it's a pig; being hot I don't use choke, just prime;
any tips valued


My stihl chainsaw doesn't need anything to restart when warm, except if
a bit cool, just half choke.

On 6 Jun, 09:04, "Piers Finlayson" wrote:
"Piers Finlayson" wrote in message

...



I know there's a couple of you guys out there - I think you both bought a
QuickfireRyobibrushcutter a couple of weeks ago.

I recently bought the Screwfix special offerRyobi(61459 when it was on
99.99). It's an absolute pig to start. I've managed to get it going
twice, but the rest of the time it just won't catch.

It doesn't seem to be the engine flooded (I've removed the spark plug and
pulled the start cord as instructed) and this doesn't solve the problem.

So, the question is - is the Quickfire any easier to start, or does it
still take a bit of time?

I think I'll be returning this one anyway, but am interested to see if
there's anything better for the same (ish) price.

Thanks all for the replies. The process I've been going through (following
the instructions and fairly similar to all your recommendations) is:
- press plastic bulb up to somewhere between 4-7 times
- choke on full
- throttle on full
- pull hard 3-4 times
- as soon as it tries to fire put choke on half
- pull again.

Now at this point, when completely cold and following this procedure for the
first time it will often fire up, and then stall a few seconds later (me
getting the throttle on full the whole time - if I let off it dies
immediately). When I try and start it again, either with the choke half or
off, it then shows no life again.

I think the main problems are
- this unit is a pig to start anyway
- this being my first 2 stroke engine I don't have the knack yet.

Any other words of advice? I may spend a bit more time on it this weekend,
and if I still don't get the knack replace it with something else. Those
weeds aren't getting any smaller ...

Thanks,
Piers

Hi Piers

Not sure if this helps but I also purchased the Ryobi Strimmer with
Hedge Trimmer from Screwfix. I have had exactly the same problems
starting it after following all instructions to the letter i.e.
getting the correct mix of petrol/oil, priming the carb, starting with
full choke etc.. As a reasonably experienced classic car enthusiast,
the problem seemed to be fuel or lack of it.

After a month of disillusionment (and hiding it in the back of the
shed) I tried it again yesterday but no avail. I called Screwfix who,
without question offered me a refund or a replacement. I took a
replacement and it was delivered today.

This started without problem. I proceeded to cut my hedge (very
effectively) and for 10 - 15 minutes I was in heaven. Then it cut
out and I would not start no matter what.

After much cursing etc.. I now think I've twigged the problem. Whilst
hedge trimming, the device is often "upside down". If you tip it up
the other way and run it for a while in "strimmer" mode it is happy
again!

Crazy or simple? Not sure yet but this approach allowed me to finish
my hedge...

Regards

A

On 11 Jun, 22:00, wrote:

After much cursing etc.. I now think I've twigged the problem. Whilst
hedge trimming, the device is often "upside down". If you tip it up
the other way and run it for a while in "strimmer" mode it is happy
again!

Expand-it fittings can be attached three or four ways round (I'm not
sure of the official position on the fourth). If you're doign the top
and sides of a hedge, stopping to swap the position is well worth it.
The balance is better, and the petrol pickup isn't being asked to do
the impossible.