I found a power devil 3.5hp lawn mower on a dump in Chingford, E. London - it was only about 3 weeks old. I removed it from the dump free of charge and took it home. It would not start. I had a spark - but the plug was not wet with fuel, so I guessed it must be fuel causing the problem. Also smell the spark plug - if it doesn't smell of petrol then it's definately a fuel problem. I took off the air filer and poured a small amount of fuel down the inlet port and, hey presto, it started. I took the carby off, cleaned out the idle and main jets - put it back together and it started first time. Now I've used it for over a week and it's perfect - a £160 lawn mower for free - brilliant. So if yours doesn't start - I bet it's the carb causing the problem - get it cleaned and it will work. All the best - Alan.
Alan Thomas, May 2008