Rushed home from work to do some mowing this evening, and the trimmer wasn't working well. It would bog every time I pulled the throttle trigger. Then I noticed it was pizzing fuel out of the line coming out the bottom of the tank. Dumped the fuel into the mower, and set it aside. Now the choice... fix it or replace it? It's a homeowner-grade trimmer (McCulloch MT780) I bought in 2006 for maybe $200, back when my yard was 0.2 acre. Now I'm trimming 4 acres of yard on a weekly basis, and the autofeed spool won't autofeed anymore, but the trimmer is still doing the job remarkably well for a cheap machine. I guess this machine (and hoses) are pre-ethanol. I've never once drained gas from it for the season, and in fact left it sit outside (under a porch roof) for the first 5 years of its life. Again, pretty good for a cheap machine. Just wondering if I'm going to regret putting the time / effort into fixing it, when the next part breaks...
So it owes you nothing... Fix it! Fuel lines or carb rebuild is cheap. Just got 2 of my FIL's trimmers revived tonight. These things are throw away models too, but it was a 10 minute fix.
The fuel lines eventually fail and are cheap to replace.. Had to replace them on my old Echo Gt 1100 and it still runs well.. Thing is around 25 years old now..
Okay guys... I checked the BOM, and there are three fuel line assemblies, each around $12. Hopefully I can identify and buy the right set the first time! Their exploded view drawing leaves a lot to be desired.
I would look for a commercial brand trimmer and when you have more time replace the fuel lines on the Mac and use it for a spare or sell.
Not worth keeping, repairing, or selling, if I'm not using it. Time is not free! My old Stihl trimmer was closer to $600, IIRC.
I've had a lot of trimmers to repair and the expensive Stihls have the same problems as the cheap Weedeater brand. My favorite trimmers are the old off-white Echos but they have the same problems as all the others. The parts and labor for a Ryobi repair costs the same as those for a Stihl repair.
I brought the Echo to a small engine repair shop and asked to buy fuel lines for it.. Next thing I see is the guy cutting fuel lines then installing them (all easy to do on the Echo) . He hands it back and says that'll be $10.00 lol.. The plan was to do it myself but I just said OK and paid the man.. Ray
$600.00!!! Holy cow that's expensive my lil Echo Gt1100 set me back $100.00 25 years ago and it still runs fine.. BTW welcome to the forum I remember that name! Ray
If you are reasonably certain the problem is just the fuel line, then it is worth fixing as long as you are happy with the machine. Are the lines molded or are they just straight lines that could be replaced with bulk line? I do everything that is not moulded with tygon tubing. As much trimming as you do Joful, might want to be eyeing up a new one if the easy repair doesn't work out.
Your advice would have been my advice. Everyone has an opinion. I always keep 2 trimmers. The last one was the Stihl KM-130 R (almost $500 with trimmer head, and some extras). The one before that is a cheapo China unit, but it's a 4-n-1 unit (Trimmer, brush cutter, pole saw, and hedge trimmer). It's a great runner and for all four attachments, it was a great deal. With the amount of property I have and trimming I do (around my pond is about an hour in itself). I like to have a back up plan. But I tend to have a back up for my back up... You don't have to spend a ton of money on a good unit. I had a Poulan Pro PP380 (maybe 330) trimmer and it ran awesome for 8 years. I just sold it 3 weeks ago for $30. I think I only paid $110 for it on sale. I loved that thing. But my new Stihl has 5 times the power and torque. Unbelievable how much power their 4 mix engines produce today.
Hey, MasterMech! I missed you, man. Yeah, it's not a high end machine, but it does a fine job. I've grown fond of the POS. The lines are just simple stock flex line, but there's a thru-the-tank fitting that comes with the new line. Methinks the implication is there's no way to get the old line off that fitting without damage to the fitting. Lots of lawn here, as you know. But I probably only spend a half hour to do my trimming. There are others here who have it worse! No offense meant, guys! My natural tendency is to be like you, but when I had to move three years ago, I took it as a chance to make a clean break. I now try to not keep clutter to a minimum, which is a pure necessity, for the amount of crap I maintain here. I still have a 1200 sq.ft. shop and 300 sq.ft. shed plenty full of OPE and heavy machinery, but now they're more usable space, less full of crap in need of repair or maintenance.
Those tank boots usually slide right out. Multi fuel line kit at the hardware store ~$5. Cut the tubing at a sharp angle and using a pair of long needle-nose jewler's pliers pull the tubing through the tank holes pull it out the tank fill hole and reattach the filter then pull the slack back out. If helps to put a little lube on the tubing and warming the ends will help it slide over the carb fittings
For $250 you can get an echo that will run 20 years!! But just buy the right size line its like $1ft at a shop. So you can PR Olly get out for $2. Getting the 2 different sizes that are on it. And look at the carb an pull the model number like walbro k28 ?? Or whatever it is and go on ebay and order you a new kit and rebuild it. I bet it runs fine for another few years. Still need a new head it that one is broke but...
