Most engines need a little time to warm up. Your Echo is a very good unit. The one ring vs two ring argument is stale.

Hi Canguy
You mean no difference in longivity between one or two rings?

Absolutely not. The single ringed engines are almost as thick as 2 rings put together from the dual ringed engines. Not real sure what the engineering was that determined this. I've restored 3 older Echo trimmers in the last few months made from early to mid 80's, all single ringed, original engines that needed no internal parts. Using a high grade oil like Echo Power Blend or better, it's likely the gearbox on your trimmer will need repair long before something major happens to the engine, if ever. You might see a bit better performance from a single ringed engine mixing fuel @ 40:1 ratio. That's what I use in all my Echos both new and old and they love it!

FWIW, I used a 21cc Echo GT-2100 trimmer for about 14 years at my house before I sold it to get a straight-shaft brush-cutter-capable trimmer. Never had a single problem. Ditto my dad, who's had an even slightly smaller model for probably at least 20 years. I agree that some newer equipment runs a bit on the on lean side for emissions compliance, and can therefore take a bit more attention to start cold. To me, the important point in reliable starting is whether or not they work consistently once you develop their routine. IOW, I have a RedMax trimmer now that takes 5-6 pulls on full choke, then starts right up at idle on full choke, and then I can move the choke off over the next 10-20 seconds and blast away at full throttle. It cranks every time like that, and when warm starts at idle on the first pull every time. You can't ask for more than that. My Echos are like that as well: each has a slightly different routine, but each never fails to start with its routine. OTOH, I have a Mculloch (sp?) chainsaw that sometimes starts on the first pull, and sometimes on the 50th, whether hot or cold. That crap gets old.

I have an Echo SRM 210i that starts on the second pull every time. I have had it two years.

I press the plunger 10 times. Squeeze the throttle. Put it at full choke. Pull starter. Put it at half choke. Pull starter. Starts up, put to open choke and let it warm up for a few seonds and mow away.

Sounds like my hedge trimmer is OK, just need more choke at the begining. All three of my equipment start different and I need to get use to it.
Don't laugh, my biggest problem starting the Echo at the begining was forgetting to turn the switch on and keep pulling and pulling and cursing!!!!! My trimmer don't have an on off switch!!!!!`For cry out loud!!!

I am happy to hear one ring is as good as two in this case.

Thanks

yungman, I bet everybody has done the forget-to-turn-the-switch-on thing. I know I have! I've also gotten miffed at my mower when I tried to start with the fuel valve shut off, or with no fuel in the tank at all. BTW, one big reason the same motor in various types equipment of the same brand might start differently has to do with the flywheel inertia. A hedge trimmer has very little flywheel inertia compared to a blower, and that will affect the starting routine.

I have 3 of these echo engines. One in a little tiller(Looks just like a Mantis), one in a leaf blower and one in a weed trimmer. All work very well with the normal Echo oil mix though the weed trimmer can be a little contankerous sometimes to start. Never a problem though with any of this stuff.