Having owned a Mantis for many years it sounds like your air/fuel mixture may be to lean when you push the choke in. First check the simple stuff. Make sure you are using fresh fuel with the proper 2-cycle oil mixture. Check or replace the fuel and air filters. Replace the spark plug annually. These are the routine maintenance procedures found in your owner's manual. If none of this solves your problem either the carb fuel mix adjustment screws are not set properly or a carb rebuild kit is needed. The proper setting for the mixture screws should be detailed in your manual. Removing the carb and replacing the needle valves, gasket and other items takes a little more expertise. Before jumping in to this and assuming all other maintenance has been performed press the fuel primer bulb several times before trying to start it. You should feel resistance after 3-4 pushes. If you don't feel any resistnace the carb is not being primed and the bulb needs replacement (you may notice a small fuel leak if this is the case). If you can get it primed, pull the choke out, start and let it run a minute or so. Then make small, gradual changes by turning the fuel mix screws (not the idle adjustment) as noted in your manual. Try to push the choke in half way or as far as you can without killing the engine. If may run a little rough but continue tweaking the screws until it smooths out a little. Gradually continue pushing the choke in and turning the adjustment screws as needed to keep it from stalling. This is best done with the tines supported off the ground during adjustments. Just make sure to protect yourself and others from coming in to contact with them. When set correctly you should be able to achieve full throttle with the choke fully closed. A little time and patience should get you up and going again. Of course you can always contanct Mantis at www.mantis.com or call them for troubleshooting assistance. Hope this helps.
Answers & Comments
Having owned a Mantis for many years it sounds like your air/fuel mixture may be to lean when you push the choke in. First check the simple stuff. Make sure you are using fresh fuel with the proper 2-cycle oil mixture. Check or replace the fuel and air filters. Replace the spark plug annually. These are the routine maintenance procedures found in your owner's manual. If none of this solves your problem either the carb fuel mix adjustment screws are not set properly or a carb rebuild kit is needed. The proper setting for the mixture screws should be detailed in your manual. Removing the carb and replacing the needle valves, gasket and other items takes a little more expertise. Before jumping in to this and assuming all other maintenance has been performed press the fuel primer bulb several times before trying to start it. You should feel resistance after 3-4 pushes. If you don't feel any resistnace the carb is not being primed and the bulb needs replacement (you may notice a small fuel leak if this is the case). If you can get it primed, pull the choke out, start and let it run a minute or so. Then make small, gradual changes by turning the fuel mix screws (not the idle adjustment) as noted in your manual. Try to push the choke in half way or as far as you can without killing the engine. If may run a little rough but continue tweaking the screws until it smooths out a little. Gradually continue pushing the choke in and turning the adjustment screws as needed to keep it from stalling. This is best done with the tines supported off the ground during adjustments. Just make sure to protect yourself and others from coming in to contact with them. When set correctly you should be able to achieve full throttle with the choke fully closed. A little time and patience should get you up and going again. Of course you can always contanct Mantis at www.mantis.com or call them for troubleshooting assistance. Hope this helps.