It can be exasperating. The EPA is what killed the 2-cycle Lawn-Boy. I bought a Ryobi string trimmer that wouldn't start or run worth a heck, so I got a special screwdriver for the mixture adjustments and at least can use it now.
I think if you will tell us exactly what you have, we might be able to help you out with getting it running right.

Solution is to look for a good pc. of used equipment and take care of it hoping it lasts forever.

Walt Conner

"I think if you will tell us exactly what you have"...A lot of folks are buying equipment that is capable of "operating within EPA guidelines" and have no problems with it. If you buy cheap you get cheap.

The gubbermint is here to help us.

My experience has been that "operating within EPA guidelines" really means "running as lean as possible, no matter what the cost to ease of operation, performance or longivity." I bought a 20 year old Shindaiwa trimmer yesterday, and paid more for it than a new one costs. I expect it will outlast 2 or 3 of the new machines, and it starts and runs far better than they do.

In this, and in many others area, we need reform, and we need a better people.
I think that more people care about clean air and water than do not care. I am in the middle.
I am a seeker of truth ha! ha!..
I am an opinionated old fool ...much closer.
What we need is that special screwdriver that can fix cheap equipment...that pollutes not....and runs not, either.
What we need is for everyone to return defective junk, making a big stink, not nearly enough of us do this.
Many of us are far too busy for this crap..
Kudos to the protesters.

I would say if it does't start. And it does't run. Then it is not polluting. So I guess that the Mfg. met the EPA guidelines on that one. ;>)

The EPA is retarded and needs to go away

The EPA's reason for being is that our manufacturers have shown repeatedly that their only concern is profits and nothing else.
But I think the EPA can back off a little, but I have some reservations with this.

EPA (Eternal Pathetic Ass$oles) ...don't run there cannot contribute to any further carbon footprint lol .

I find it revealing that McPenny posted only once about vague starting problems with some new unidentified lawn mowing equipment. We are to believe he set out to fix the problems on his brand new mower rather than have them fixed under warranty. And the equally unbelievable response from the manufacturer opened the door for a rant about the EPA. His post strikes me as nothing more than concocted flame bait.

I think that we have to realize that the EPA is a government agency that writes rules to implement laws written by congress. Those of us who disagree with the EPA's rule making actions should be focusing their attention on the congressional representatives responsible for the enacting the laws that broadly define activities of EPA. Has anyone done anything beyond whining about EPA on Garden Web?

Contrary to urban legend, the EPA did not kill the 2 stroke engine. EPA did not pass a law that specifically banned 2 stroke engines that I am aware of. Rather the EPA passed minimal levels for pollution emissions. Engine manufacturers made a business decision to switch to the 4 stroke design. So complain to the current owners of the Lawnboy brand.

At one time there was a place for the two stroke engine. When we needed a cheap, compact, easily manufactured engine to power large numbers of small motorcycles, micro cars, washing machines and a variety of small equipment the 2 stroke was the engine of choice as long as we could ignore the plumes of smoke. Yes, the 2 stroke engine is really inefficient because it emits large amounts of partially burnt gasoline and oil along with all the other pollutants. That dated design probably could have been cleaned up, but it made better financial sense for manufacturers to use an engine that could be tweaked to combust fuel more cleanly.

It's great to be back from vacation!

"I think that we have to realize that the EPA is a government agency that writes rules to implement laws written by congress"

I think you might want to re-examine that statement a little more. There are numerous cases where the EPA puts its' own interpretation on laws which are far in excess of the intentions by Congress and due to the rules of the legislature, have proven impossible to restrict.

Walt Conner

Perhaps the EPA should restrict Volcanoes as one of them will spew out more pollutants than all the LBs in the world.

Walt Conner

"Contrary to urban legend, the EPA did not kill the 2 stroke engine. EPA did not pass a law that specifically banned 2 stroke engines that I am aware of. Rather the EPA passed minimal levels for pollution emissions."

No officer, I didn't kill that man over there. He had bad breath and I just made him stop breathing.

Walt Conner

Once again the EPA does not make law. The EPA did not write the various acts that they enforce and write rules for. Only congress can write those laws. If you disagree with rules written that specify emission limits that are outlined in law then your congressman is to blame. Contact your senator and representative and tell them you wat things changed or you will vote them out of office. If you find enough others who are equally vocal and dissatisfied then something will be done. If you want the 2 stroke engine badly enough to forgo emission controls then contact your representatives and the current owner of Lawnboy. Whining about the EPA on This forum is easy, involves no risk, is effortless and accomplishes nothing. Get off your duff and do something if you are serious. Or do you secretly believe there are but a few others who think similarly.

"Once again the EPA does not make law. The EPA did not write the various acts that they enforce and write rules for."

Re-read my above post. IF you don't think the EPA distorts bills passed to suit what they think they should be, then you have you head in the sand.

Walt Conner

Whether one of us thinks EPA distorts bills is irrelevant. The question is whether the persons on this forum holding that view are going to do something about it beyond whining on garden web. Did anyone here comment when the small engine rules were first proposed? Has anyone contacted their congressional representative? I remember thinking when the regs first were proposed that they were long overdue just as the controls for diesel engines way way late.

Don't worry "roadbike", the EPA is going to kill the diesel as quickly as possible. First they insist on so-called fuel that resulted in premature failure of many servicable engines, then impose ridiculous standards for new engines that make them both uneconomical to operate and expensive to buy compared to legacy engines.

The air is clean enough. The EPA guys of the early 70's would have done handsprings in the street if they had today's low levels of pollutants. And yes, I make my feelings known to appropriate politicians in my district, we are on a first name basis.

" The question is whether the persons on this forum holding that view are going to do something about it beyond whining "

We did in 2010 and will do more this November.

Walt Conner

Voting is fine. But if you feel strongly about the EPA rules and manufacturers decisions to stop producing a certain type of engine then you need to say something. Make your opinions on those topics know to the decision makers. Simply voting someone in or out of office with no explanation does not send the message they need.

There is a small minority who believe the air is clean enough, that continued burning of carbon fuels has no effect on the environment, that global warming isn't happening and that the world is flat. Fortunately they are not in a position of power.

There is a majority of us who think we are being run over and the people we expect to vote in feel the same way and not just on one little topic.

Walt Conner

Well said Mr. Conner.

I am all for reasonable steps to keep the air and earth clean, but in my estimation, the cost and inconvenience of today's standards appear to outweigh the benefit. It is time to reconsider.

If I could have purchased a new comparably priced "clean" trimmer that would start, run and last as long as the old Shindaiwa, I would have in a moment.

If there is a majority of the population who feels as you do they are strangely quiet. There was no cry of millions of voices when the small engine rules were proposed. Or on other EPA issues. There is typically a lot of noise on controversial issues before the EPA but it comes from a small number of noisy special interest groups. If the majority of the population believes as you do they have not done much voting in the last presidential election. And from what I see so far the presidential incumbent looks like he will be back for a second term.

You are missing the big picture of which small engine regs. is only a small part. It is also very hard to get any opinion other that the Liberal, Socialist, point widely known with today's bias news media. Our Representative is in agreement with us and we are going to get him some help.

We will restore sanity to the EPA, the Attorney General's Office just for starters and hopefully, the Supreme Court is about to handle a couple of other big problems.

Since we are into an area that is forbidden on this forum, this will be my last post on the topic, enjoy while you can.

Walt Conner

Let me see if I have got this correct. If I can't get my mower to run or can't keep it running on account of EPA regulation. I should get in contact with all my politicians. And have them come and fix it for me. Ahhhh Good Idea. Sounds like a plan to me.

Your mower will run just fine if you keep the maintenance up. I see plenty of newer mowers being used every weekend with no starting or running problems so your problem is likely the result of deferred maintenance. I am waiting for the forum member who owns the McPenny sock puppet will step forward and be recognized for the delightful thread of EPA flames he created. Having fun again I assume.

See you on Debates Politics, Walt.
I have the same problem with my trimmer.
And I plan to try to DIY, without relying on the government or private industry.

You just made my point. If your machine ends up with a DIY fix that probably defeats the "required" standard, why not allow it to be made in a fashion that works properly in the first place?

On the other hand, pin vice/drill bit vendors are probably gainiing some sales as a result.

Really if it is a new piece of equipment ill be da**ed if they dont fix it for free under warranty tells me you must have been bought it from wal-mart or sears or somewhere of the likes. They dont honor warranty once its been ran more than 3 hours. But since its new take it back to wherever it was purchased. You should have no problem gitn yor cash back and then go to yor local tractor supply and buy it. They will fix it 4 free 10 years from now minus normal wear and tear.. And F**CK the E.P.A volcanos put out more harmfull emissions in 1 minute than every car in the whole wide world does in 1 year.

I buy cheap equipment and pay the price , this I know...
I also know that Sears cannot be trusted - I'd not go there for any reason. We do need a much better education for our people.
Our manufacturers take the cheap route with equipment that is difficult to fix.
So - avoid places like W-Mart and Sears.
The trouble is - 80% do not care and the 20% is divided between the left and right.
Money enters, now its 8% left and 12% right..and the other way around with education...

Heh heh, I re-hab old free stuff. EPA operates totally out side of my universe.

Anyways why the heck would you be working on a new piece of equipment. Like my kubota ZD331 ZTR if I so much as change the battery it voids the warranty they dont want you screwin sumthin up. Oh yeah E.P.A. E.P.A. E.P.A E.P.A. E.P.A. E.P.A. E.P.A E.P.A E.P.A.... THIS CONCLUDES MY RANT ABOUT THE E.P.A.

You are mistaken. You may change the battery, and many other items without any problem. Federal law (The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act) covers that.

This thread is a hoot. One guy using a sock puppet posts an unbelievable story with the letters EPA sprinkled throughout and the flame bait is still getting hits.

EPA is crap, it's all about UN Agenda 21 -control of people.

Keepin up the fight with my two stroke Lawnboy :)

The EPA has become way too powerful under current regime and does tend to force not only emisssion laws on the industry but mandate senseless requirements and regulations that are senseless and unproductive. They usurp their OWN authority! I deplore them for this reason and bring it up to my districts' House Rep. on occasion.

Ohhh noooo!!!!! Not another E.P.A rant......