It has never really started easy. I follow the instructions to no avail. When it did work I would start out with the choke in position #1 - then to 2 and would have to leave it on 2. But eventually it would run. Mine is apprx 1 yr old. I have dumped the gas from the tank and the can - remixed. Pulled and checked the air filter and the spark arrestor. I can now only get it to run for maybe 30 seconds in the #2 spot on the choke. I have tried everything per the manual to no avail.