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Normally my husband does the mowing, but I want to surprise him while he is away this week. Everything is done but the trimming, but I can't figure out how to start the trimmer. I have searched all over for the manual and can't find it. It's a Poulon if that helps. And YES, it has fuel. Thank you for any help!!

Edited to say that when I pull the starter rope, it just sort of growls very quietly. That probably doesn't help, but just in case...

Edited again to say that it looks like it has both a choke lever and a bulb.

If you can help but don't want to post, please send a private message. Thanks!!

Are there any model and serial numbers on the trimmer ? -- this will help us try to help you.

Usually -- push the primer bulb about 3 times - put the choke on - pull the cord until it fires - put it on half choke - pull again until it fires -- turn choke off - (usually there will either be a start position that stays locked or you will need to hold the speed control full on while pulling)

If we get model and serial #, you or we can probably look up the manual online.

BKBrown said:

Are there any model and serial numbers on the trimmer ? -- this will help us try to help you.

Click to expand...

I think the model is PPB335. I don't know where the serial number might be located. Thanks for the help.

User Manuals | Poulan

See if this helps ! Pages 10 - 11 starting instructions.

STARTING A COLD ENGINE

NOTE:
DO NOT squeeze the throttle trigger

until the engine has started and runs.

1. Set unit on a flat surface.

2. Slowly press the primer bulb 6 times.

3. Move choke lever to the FULL CHOKE

position.

4. Pull starter rope handle sharply until engine

sounds as if it is trying to start, but do not

pull rope more than 6 times.

5. As soon as engine sounds as if it is trying to

start, move choke lever to HALF CHOKE

position.

6. Pull starter rope sharply until engine runs,

but no more than 6 pulls.

NOTE: If the engine

doesn’t start after 6 pulls (at the HALF

CHOKE position), move the choke lever to

the FULL CHOKE position and press the

primer bulb 6 times. Pull the starter rope 2

more times. Move the choke lever to the

HALF CHOKE position and pull the starter

rope until the engine runs, but no more than

6 pulls. If the engine still doesn’t start, it is

probably flooded. Proceed to STARTING A

FLOODED ENGINE.

7. Once the engine starts, allow it to run 10

seconds. Squeeze throttle trigger and allow

the unit to run for 30more seconds atRUN.

Release throttle trigger.

NOTE: If engine

dieswith the chokelever in theRUNposition,

move the choke lever to FULL

CHOKE then back to HALF CHOKE and

pull the rope until engine runs, but no

more than 6 pulls.

STARTING A WARM ENGINE

1. Move choke lever to the FULL CHOKE

position, then to the HALF CHOKE position

to set fast idle.

2. Pull starter rope sharply until engine runs,

but no more than 6 pulls.

3. Allow engine to run 15 seconds, then move

the choke lever to RUN.

NOTE:


If engine has not started, pull starter

rope 5more pulls. If engine still does not run, it

is probably flooded.

STARTING A FLOODED ENGINE

Flooded engines can be started by placing the

choke lever in the RUN position; then, pull the

rope to clear the engine of excess fuel. This

could require pulling the starter handle many

times depending on how badly the unit is

flooded. If the unit still doesn’t start, refer to

TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE or call

1-800-554-6723.

Thank you! Okay, I've gone through the steps and I think it might be flooded or something because it is just weakly growling, and I think I smell gas.

Has this machine been sitting a long time? I ask this because when these machines sit for a while, some of the gas that is mixed with oil will evaporate leaving mostly oil in the carb which doesn't flow well through those tiny jets. You never mentioned if it fired up at all. You said "growling" but did you see smoke out of the exhaust?

chance123 said:

Has this machine been sitting a long time? I ask this because when these machines sit for a while, some of the gas that is mixed with oil will evaporate leaving mostly oil in the carb which doesn't flow well through those tiny jets. You never mentioned if it fired up at all. You said "growling" but did you see smoke out of the exhaust?

Click to expand...

It probably hasn't been used in a month maybe??

I don't think I've seen smoke at all. When I pull the rope it either does (a) nothing, or (b) makes a very, very weak momentary sound. It's not a growl, but I don't know how else to describe it. It's not firing. I do think I smell gas, so it might be flooding out. I don't know if that helps diagnose the issue at all.

Thanks!!

One other question/concern. The instructions say to pull the starter rope no more than 6 pulls. Yesterday when I was trying to start it without the benefit of the instructions, I pulled the rope a LOT more than 6 times. Did I damage it somehow? :ashamed:

mrstjp said:

One other question/concern. The instructions say to pull the starter rope no more than 6 pulls. Yesterday when I was trying to start it without the benefit of the instructions, I pulled the rope a LOT more than 6 times. Did I damage it somehow? :ashamed:

Click to expand...

I wouldn't think so.

Okay, thanks. Is there some safety lever or botton or switch, like on a lawn mower? I'm not seeing one, but maybe something stupid like that is the problem.

Were you able to download and view the user manual ?

There is a troubleshooting guide at the end !

BKBrown said:

Were you able to download and view the user manual ?

There is a troubleshooting guide at the end !

Click to expand...

Okay, I had a blonde moment and didn't notice the link you had posted. Thank you!!

I think it keeps flooding but am not sure. The manual says that the remedy for flooding is to put the lever in "run" and pull the starter "many" times. I've definitely done that, to no avail.

A-HA! I got it to fire. Believe it or not, I wasn't pulling the cord all the way out. I know, I know what you're thinking...

--------------Huh?-----------

mrstjp said:

A-HA! I got it to fire. Believe it or not, I wasn't pulling the cord all the way out. I know, I know what you're thinking...

Click to expand...

---------------------------Huh?------------------------------

BKBrown said:

SO -- you did get it running ??????

Click to expand...

Yep, working like a champ! Thanks for putting up with me!!