Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Hi, there,
I also sometimes have difficulty with first starts. I find sometimes the plug cap rubs up against the valves. I also pull the pipe off the carb and use a syringe of fuel to purge all the air in the fuel line. I am using 4 stroke Stihl fuel with a couple of drops of oil /tank.
Mine never even fires by hand i always use the rope start. After a first start of the day it is a reliable starter. I even squirt a little fuel int the carb mouth

I cut and joined the HT lead inside the box. I spliced in a lenght of green period looking cloth covered cable for the HT . I protected it with PVC sleeving where it comes through the metal. I soldered the core onto a tiny loop which goes onto the plug top. I just didn't like the slightly fat red lead.
Hope this helps, Brian