In article . com,
says...


I prime it per the manual, then start it with the throttle closed. If
it does not start immediately, I crack the throttle ever so slightly,
leave the fuel pump on, and start it. If the engine tries to die after
starting, I leave the fuel pump on until it warms up. Pretty much all
of this can be found in the manual.

Most people who have trouble starting C172s have tried to learn to
start the airplane by using the checklist without first gaining a
thorough understanding of what the manual says. There are way too many
instructors who fall into that category.



Following the checklist to the letter works best for most users. The above
method requires three hands, because the throttle is closed, which gives
you one extra thing to do when it fires. Whatever works best for you is
fine - but the checklist method, if followed exactly, works every time.

G Faris