help please. I have a spear and jackson petrol hedge cutter. A few weeks ago I got a friend to mix some fuel for hedge cutter. when he gave the mix he said that a glob of oil had gone in as well. Straight away I though I should mix some new stuff, but when I went to do this no oil was left and I did not really want to have to go and get some. What harm could it possibly do anyway, make engine smoke for a wee while? Sput some over rich fuel mix in and went through starting procedure and nothing, it sputered for a bit then died. been trying over last wee while to try and fix with zero mechanical knowledge and nothing still. I read up and looked like it might be flooded so followed suggestions re this and nothing. though when I emptied tank of fuel mix and the primed bubble to clear fuel I pulled starter cord and it started and died after a few moments which is to be expected with no fuel. Excellent problem sorted!? NO! put fuel and primed bubble once to not over do it and nothing tried priming a couple more and NOTHING! emptied tank again and primed bubble and it started. Been like this for a few days now, put fuel in and nothing take fuel out and it starts???? Have noticed foam for what I assuming is air intake gets saturated with what I'm assuming is petrol. Any suggestions?????????????

Jamie, June 2009

I have a ht27 oleo-mac,it starts fine and runs OK but when I turn it on it side to edge it starts to bog then dies .I have to prime and choke it to start it. I've put in new fuel lines new filter and cleaned the carb .I'm lost as to the cause of it as I'm usually good at this stuff

Anthony, July 2017

It sounds like because you have used too much petrol in the mixture, you may have flooded the engine. Or the worse case scenario could be you have ceased the engine as there may not be enough oil in the mixture to lubricate it. If you have flooded the engine add a tad more oil to the mix.

Hope this has helped.

matt, July 2013

3 Points worth considering. As you suggest flush out with neat petrol then refill with correct oil/petrol mix.
The other point I have found wiith certain 2 stroke engines is that the spark plug can foul up and carbon can build up between the side and centre electrode. Try cleaning the spark plug with wire brush or replacing it.
3 I think that the fuel filler cap is vented perhaps the machine starts initillay and then a vacuum builds up stopping fuel.

Maurice, June 2009

yeah you are right, earlier I was going to reply that I thought the machine had performed quite well untill recently, but that is not true. I originally bought a Spear and Jackson petrol hedge cutter last june and within a week had to return and get replacement as it had just stopped working, that one lasted until October 2008 and then it too stopped working and had to get my second replacement which stopped working 3 days outside original 1 years manufacturers warranty. Given how low cost is was it is probably to be expected but it is a Spear and Jackson which may not be the best on the market but they certainly come across as supplying good quality?
How would you check that the machine is not flooded? I have emptied fuel tank, pumped primer to work remaining petrol through and removed spark plug and tilted to realease any excess fuel, though none came out. I have cleaned and dried sponge filter. and as mentioned above have managed to start when fuel has been emptied but obviously as fuel has been emptied it soon stops. As soon as I put fuel in though and prime it only once to get some fuel in NOTHING! Yet empty the fuel out and pump primer and I can get it to turn over?????????????
Given that problem coincided with an oil clot possibly going into machine could adding just some petrol without any oil added make any difference? I am thinking that perhaps it will clear clot and if engine over coated with oil possibly help clear tha???????????????/

Jamie, June 2009

MIGHT NOT BE YOUR FAULT THEY ARE A BAD MACHINE. I HAVE ONE AND I'M THINKING OF DUMPING IT. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE TANK GOES DOWN EVEN A SMALL BIT THE ENGINE SUCKS AIR OUT OF THE TANK AND CUTS OUT ESPECIALLY WHEN VERTICAL CUTTING AS YOU HAVE THE MACHINE TURNED ON ITS SIDE. BADLY DESIGNED PIECE OF JUNK

MAC, June 2009

To start these pesky two strokes.....dry off the air cleaner, make sure the machine isn't flooded. Then - full choke, full throttle, pull the starter very briskly until the machine 'pops', then, no choke, full throttle, pull again and the machine should start and continue running.

John, June 2009