Thanks for the link. I'll give them a try.

There is not much to the carb. I would take it off first and check if there is anything obvious (choke not moving properly, leave in the air filter (screen), loose mounting screws, clogged fuel line, ...).

 

I have stayed out because I didn't have anything to contribute, me and motors don't communicate well. What is wrong with a electric weed wacker?

 

I have stayed out because I didn't have anything to contribute, me and motors don't communicate well. What is wrong with a electric weed wacker?

They used to need a long cord. Now they need a $100 battery!
Grinding my gears: Shaving razors with 5 blades and $100 batteries for hand-held tools.
I used to buy car batteries for $30!

 

I was thinking the long cord approach myself. They are much cheaper overall, and if it is only 3 times a year?

 

I was thinking the long cord approach myself. They are much cheaper overall, and if it is only 3 times a year?

With all the rain in Texas this year? Surely you will need more trimming than 3x this year.

 

I use an electric week wacker. Also have one of those gas power heads with all kinds of attachments, chainsaw, brush cutter, hedge trimmer, etc.

 

My problems were with small 2 cycle engines is the coil. Spark plug sparks out side of the engine but not when screwed back into the machine and having to work under compression.

 

And did replacing the plug solve that problem? I've never had a magneto fail, although I did have one develop a bad connection.

As long as we're updating an old thread, I want to add that I finally bought myself one of those proper tools to adjust my weedwacker's carb screws, the ones the government doesn't want you to be able to turn. I waited too long, because it made me mad to have to buy a $15 tool just to tune a weed wacker. Wow, what a difference. No regrets. Being able to turn those screws a quarter turn or so can make the difference between not starting and starting, or running like crap or running great. I tune them almost every time I use it and keep the tool in my pocket.

Following the gov's advice, I'd have to buy a new weedwacker every year or two. Somehow that doesn't seem like the best option for the environment.

 

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As long as we're updating an old thread, I want to add that I finally bought myself one of those proper tools to adjust my weedwacker's carb screws, the ones the government doesn't want you to be able to turn.

Inspired by Volkswagon?

 

Just another victim of unintended consequences. The weedwacker had to meet some regulations when it first sells. Fine. But the regulation causes bad performance the following year and complete replacement the year after that, along with the environmental impact of a 2-yr product life instead of 30 years. Does capturing the squeal of the pig on day one really outweigh the reality of the product's lifecycle? Not even close! We have an anti-pollution regulation that dramatically increases pollution, and that was probably predicted within the EPA and certainly within the industry, but we have the regulation anyways.

 

Rather like our rechargeable batteries that were supposed to replace the non-rechargeable ones. Years ago a good NiCad would last for 8 - 10 + years and a thousand plus recharge cycles. Now a year or two and a few dozen cycles is standard issue unless you buy an aftermarket battery that cost's 2 - 3X the price of the tool itself.