Finally got 'er running

String trimmer needed a new primer bulb. Put in a new one but the thing just would not start.

It is quite old so I figured it needed a new carb diaphragm. Watched Steve (Steve's Small Engine Saloon, best small engine how to I've found) and did up the carb. The old diaphragm was definitely getting crispy, so it was a good move. But it didn't work.

Put the reed valves and gasket in backwards the first time, but that was easy enough to fix. Didn't start.

Figured a new fuel filter after 15 years wasn't a bad idea so I did that.

damm think still wouldn't start. Checked the spark plug. Sparking OK, but I put in a new one just because. That didn't help.

Air cleaner good, carb rebuilt, fuel filter good. Fuel lines all looked good. Started getting a bit annoying.

If air gets in and fuel gets in and spark goes, what's left? Maybe air doesn't get out.

Mud dauber nests in the muffler! Spark arrestor totally occluded.





Poked the nests out, pulled the muffler, hosed it out, pulled the spark arrestor, hosed that out, and reassembled.

Success!!

 

I’ve gone that route with a chainsaw a time or two. One of the first things I check for now.


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Had the same happen with a Toro brushcutter a few years back. Stored in the garage, doors closed more than not and the buggers still managed to plug it full.

 

I realized that my not too old, 5-8 yrs maybe, ryobi wasn't actually pumping gas into the carb with the primer. Why, I haven't figured it out, but I took the plug out and spilled some gas in there and it started right up.

It still needs to be run on choke, so there's something plugged up in the carb. But this works.

 

Sometimes, you just need good enough. The clutch isn't working right on mine so it spins even at idle, but it cuts and it will keep things from getting out of hand until it gets cold enough that the grass stops growing and I can work on the clutch.

 

Yep. It's good enough now. I've got other things that are more important to work on around the house. 1 of them, my little 4 pawed pup demands a lot of attention right now.