Weed eater

bigalpha

Moderator
Location
Tucson, AZ
I had a friend cut and weedeat the yard for me recently as I didn't have the time. Afterwards, the weedeater has not wanted to run right.

I wonder if, when the gas was refilled, they used the GAS and not the MIX.

It'll start and idle, but blows A LOT of smoke. Much more than normal. Then when I get on the gas some, it just dies. Even if I don't get on the gas, it runs kind of rough then dies.

Ideas? Should I drain the gastank and refill with the MIX?
 
Is it a 2 stroke, or a 4 cycle?

If a 4 cycle, drain the gas, clean the plug and try it again with fresh gas.

If a 2 strike,drain the gas, make sure the mix is correct (make new), clean the plug and try again with fresh gas.

It's colder, maybe it needs to run on part choke for a bit.

I run my 4 cycle on whatever is handy. If I'm working with the chain saw, it gets oily gas. So far no issues.

Ron
 
Check the filter element as well as the mix. A clogged filter will effectively keep it running rich, and kill it when you open the throttle. Check the idle/mixture screws too- my Dad had adjusted his little Homelite blower to the stops trying to get it to run better- with a clogged filter and the wrong mix. Way to go pop...
 
I'll check it out, too. It ran pretty good before this incident and the fuel reservoir was full, so I'm leaning towards a fuel problem.

Doesn't hurt to do a tune up, though.
 
Well the weed eater gets used regularly. I also drained and filled with a new mixture of oil+gas.

It started up pretty quick but still dies out. It has a pretty erratic idle - it'll idle real high then die or real low then high.

I haven't changed the plug or anything so maybe I'll do that along with checking the muffler.
 
Well the weed eater gets used regularly. I also drained and filled with a new mixture of oil+gas.

It started up pretty quick but still dies out. It has a pretty erratic idle - it'll idle real high then die or real low then high.

I haven't changed the plug or anything so maybe I'll do that along with checking the muffler.

Almost sounds like too much oil in the mix earlier. Try and thin the mix just a little and see if will clear.
 
Ok, if its blowing smoke then he didn't use straight gas, most likely its just a heavy mix of oil. WeedEater brands use a 40:1 ratio. Drain the gas and put in some proper mix. Remove the air cleaner and spark plug and with your thumb over the inlet of the carb, pull the rope, the vacuum created by your thumb being over the throat of the carb will suck out any junk thats in there. Then put it all back together and start it. When you store your 2-cycle equipement for more than a month or so I recommend that you add some "Stabile" to the fuel and run it for a few minetes, then shut it off and drain the fuel, then restart it and let it idle until it runs out of gas. This will keep the fuel from drying out and gumming up the carb. I also run LUCAS fuel injector cleaner in all of my equipement a couple of times throughout the season.

I own a lawncare service that is my side job and have been mowing yards as a pro for 25 years. I rarely have "spring start-up" issues and never have to rebuild my carbs.
 
Or just open your eyes Twinkletoes ;)

All two stroke oil I've used is dyed pretty dark. When it is properly mixed the gasoline should have a very distinct color (the oil I've bene using lately is a bluish green). Compare the color in the fuel tank to the color in your gas can and go from there.
 
I don't think that'll ever go away.

I've already drained the tank, and created a new mix of oil and gas. It still runs like hell and dies out after a few minutes of using it (which I explained in post #10). ;)
 
I don't think that'll ever go away.

I have a knack for remembering trivial things. Plus I started it!

I've already drained the tank, and created a new mix of oil and gas. It still runs like hell and dies out after a few minutes of using it (which I explained in post #10). ;)

Does it have compression? Did the fuel look right when you drained it? Have you looked at the tip of the plug to see if it's fouled?
 
I have a knack for remembering trivial things. Plus I started it!

I suppose this is true.


Does it have compression? Did the fuel look right when you drained it? Have you looked at the tip of the plug to see if it's fouled?

Well, it runs and will speed up and slow down so I assume it's getting compression.

The fuel I drained looked the same as the stuff I mixed and put in.

No, I haven't pulled the plug. Could that cause it to rev real high, then low; or real high then die?
 
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