The bulb is not a primer, it doesn't squirt fuel into the engine, but purges air out of the carb itself, so 2 or 3 pumps is all you need, then you put it on choke with the throttle trigger set and pull it until it hits, then take it off choke and pull until it starts.
You might want to start with fresh fuel mix, old fuel these days is one of the major problems with small equipment, and it's
formulation changes with the season as well for easier starting.
Air filter?
Choke would be a more likely trouble area, or if the hedgetrimmer is 23 years old, might need to check the compression.
the hedge cutter is an HS ,it snot old, maybe 7 years oldish, ive been doing this job for 23 years lol.
i once looked at a car for a mate, which was back firing, i checked the air filter first, and found 'no' airfiter fitted, the problem
this hedgecutter i bought cheap because of its problems, and i havent checked the air filter, maybe their isnt one,
hmmm
ill check the choke as well cheers mate
Or by 17 pumps, do you mean pulling the rope 17 times?
no i mean pressing the rubber primer, obviously,