string trimmer issue

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Its a tool, i guess...I've got a 2 stroke 25cc string trimmer thats giving me a hard time. Last year before i put is away, it was acting like the exhaust post was carboned up, but when i took the muffler off, it was clean. But now when i start it up, its runs for 1-2 seconds and dies. runs fine for those 2 seconds, like its only running on the primed fuel. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. cause my lawn is looking pretty ridiculos with its nicely cut middle and 3 ft tall edges. Here learning to turn down the Suck...
Reply:Are you getting that same crap 10% ethanol gas that we are in the US? I just replaced the carb on my EU2000 Honda generator because it was all crapped up and then started to leak out of the bottom of the bowl. This generator only had higher octane gas and always had regular Stabil put in it. People are starting to swear by the Marine Grade Stabil because it is supposedly formulated for ethanol for all small engine equipment. I would bet you need a good cleaning on your carburetor.“Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming ... WOW! What a ride!”
Reply:no we still got regular old gas here... they have taht e10 stuff out wwest when we were there...Here learning to turn down the Suck...
Reply:I found some great small engine repair videos on Youtube.  Try searching for "weedeater repair".  My lawn mower was surging -- youtube video told me to check the vent on fuel tank.  Fixed it right up.  Earlier it wouldn't start.  Found  a very good video on taking apart and cleaning the carb.  That one worked too.Sounds to me like the carb float (if it has one) is stuck shut -- so the only fuel it's getting is from the pump bulb at priming.Here is a pretty good video, but man that carb is way more complicated than the one on my lawn mower![ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54RIMPW5YgI[/ame]Good luck.bobLast edited by caldwellcpl; 05-10-2010 at 04:27 PM.
Reply:I had the same problem with a leaf blower. It turned out to just be a small hole in the fuel line therefore it would'nt hold its prime. I just replaced the fuel line and it ran like a new one.
Reply:check the lone... replace with an ethanol resistant one.   and use the marine grade stabil.  I've been having some Carb issues with some older engines (designed in the 60's) and no direct replacement float available.  I think the majority of pups have stickers that say MAY contain up to 10% ethanol. There are test kits out there.  be sure to drain the fuel system completely before putting it away for extended periods.
Reply:Thanks guys, it's a definite place to startHere learning to turn down the Suck...
Reply:I hate those little 2 strokes. seems like they never last unless you buy $$$ stuff like stihl. Honda has a small multi-position 4 stroke for stuff like that but I don't see too many around, we got one on our vibra-strike at work, I can't believe how well it still runs and easily is starts even after 3 years  of use/storage in the winter.I use an electric trimmer with a cord every time the cord gets tangled I just smile and thing "yeah, but I'm not polluting, don't have to mix gas and it ALWAYS starts" but that would suck if my property had any size to it at all.ANYWAY, yeah , clean the carb and plug, look up the carb brand and see if you can get a rebuild kit, had to do this many times. I find the cheaper 2 strokes become impossible to tune after they get up there in hours even after the carb has been cleaned/rebuilt.HH187Hobart 500i plasma cutterClark 4.5" GrinderDewalt 14" chop saw30 gallom 1.6 hp compressor10 gallon pressure pot sand blasterlots of hand tools
Reply:another thing to check is the fuel filter inside the tank.it hangs on a piece of fuel line.i can usually fish them out with a piece of wire bent to a hook. dont go by appearance.take it off the line and blow thru it to test.
Reply:A relative in N. Carolina (with its nearly constant 100% humidity) had an old, huge Remington  chainsaw (which I'd consider a classic collectible) that wouldn't run; I could get it to fire a time or two, but no more. Fuel wasn't the problem. It did have a weak spark, and I believe that it had an internal short in the high tension side of the coil, so that when cranking at low speed, the voltage wasn't enough for the short to occur, but once it began to run so was going at higher speed, the higher voltage would allow the short to occur and the plug stopped firing. That isn't your problem, but does show how things sometimes work and how everything needs to be checked. You probably have a small passageway that is clogged, so the carburetor just needs to be pulled apart and cleaned. Or, it could be the filter or hose, as stated earlier. BTW, just out of curiosity and because it's easy to check, how does the spark look?
Reply:For one thing, string trimmers have pulse jet carbs, and no float.I'm not diagnosing your problem, but if it seems like the muffler is clogged, have you checked the spark arrestor?
Reply:I've had similar problems with several chainsaws and weedeaters.  It's usually a fuel line or the primer bulb.HH187Harris O/AInfrared thermometerHalf a dozen angle grinders
Reply:so i bought another one... and in my brilliants, it dawns on me i have no idea when i put gas in the one that i was having issues with last... so i pour in new gas.... now i have 2 string trimmer ...SOB!!!! I am my own worse enemyHere learning to turn down the Suck...
Reply:That's OK; you can try doing like Tim on Home Improvement by using two at one time. Build a bar to mount them both, then realize you need an outboard wheel, then an inboard one, then figure you'll add computerized steering....and just wait for the noise and vibration to cause the 'puter to go nuts and whack EVERYTHING! as it chases you around the yard.
Reply:Let me clarify that i'm not a complete boob, just a partial one. There was gas in the old trimmer, it was just probably close to 2 years old.Here learning to turn down the Suck...
Reply:Modern unleaded gas only has about a 90 day usable life.If you let it set for a few years is is mostly rotten.
Reply:Originally Posted by BlueweldersModern unleaded gas only has about a 90 day usable life.If you let it set for a few years is is mostly rotten.
Reply:Some trimmers have a 25hr rating stamped on the serial number plate, and almost all of the small engines are supposed to have gas that is no more than 30days old..Maybe your gas is treated in some way, to maintain freshness.Every refinery seems to put out a different product.The gas in an old car of mine had turned into something like sticky old differential grease or used diesel motor oil.I put fresh gas in it,and a couple of cans of carb cleaner and it started and ran, but it took about 3 tanks of gas to get all of the old out.My brothers RV started right up but when he went to start it again it bent the push rods, I think it had set for 5-6 years.I think the gas had turned into almost pure varnish.
Reply:late to the party (sorry), but I've run into string trimmers that after a few years, have worn the crank bearings enough that the crank seal leaks.The trimmer runs if the choke is partially on, but eventually the seal leaks to the point I can't keep the beast running.Seems the needle bearings run right on the crankshaft, and repairs cost more than a new trimmer.
Reply:My Stihl did that a few years ago, it's almost twenty now, and it turned out to be the fuel filter in the gas tank. Don't know if yours has one or not but it's worth checking. A cheap fix if that's the problem.
Reply:OK, I know this is an old thread but for those that may need it here is the address of Walbro Carburetors.  http://wem.walbro.com/distributors/servicemanuals/They are the most popular carbs and most of these little 2-strokes use them.  I have several pieces of equipment that use these so I have reached a point where I can strip one down, clean the fuel screen and orifices in my sleep.As for the alcohol laden fuel, my Stihl repair/parts buddy told me to go up to 89 octane fuel.  In my area the regular can have up to 10% ethanol added without pump notification.  89 octane may or may not contain alcohol, so find a source without it and use that.  It only cost me a complete rebuild on one of my chainsaws ($120 worth of parts and half a day of bench time) to find out that little bit of information.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches