hi thanks for the reply it was running in the first place but would only tick over at very high revs otherwise it would cut out i had a look at the carb and decided because they were only £30 i would replace it it ran again but exactly the same as before. someone suggested it could be leaking crank seals so i have replaced them both there was a wood ruff key on the left hand side and that was intact but i could see nothing on the centrifugal clutch side no marks that i could see so i striped it replaced the seal and put it back together but since this it wont start theres fuel and a good spark. if you try kicking it for a bit with or without choke the plug seems wet it is a new one and i have tried swapping it for another no joy i used to be a car mechanic and thought this would be a piece of cake but its now driving me mad any suggestions much appreciated Phil