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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

string trimmer with no power

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Charlie M

07-04-2007 15:28:06




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I have an older Homelite string trimmer that was fine last year and this year has no power. It starts OK put won't rev up to full power. I'm wondering if the electronic ignition has gone bad. If so is it something easily changed. I know its not worth paying someone to repair it although other than the lack of power it is in good shape. Are there any web sites to look at for working on small engines?

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rickinsc

07-08-2007 05:52:49




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
Had this happen to me this spring on a Homelite trimmer. Try taking the muffler apart and cleaning the spark-arrestor screen. Mine had built up so much carbon on it that it had resticted the exhaust. I had already had the carb. apart 3 times, fresh gas, new plug, checked all the engine gaskets, and was beging to wonder if it had some type of ign. problem before I realized that it ran like it had a restricted exhaust.Rick

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Donaldinky

07-05-2007 23:29:10




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
check the bolts bottom of the cyl. they get lose and the thing wont run worth a crap.. the bolts are at the bottom of the head. that what i found on mine



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vitzarus

07-05-2007 18:27:30




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
There are many websites. Some known are "small engine secrets" "Small engines" and various garden tractor sites. They are on Yahoo. You don't need be a member to get the knowledge and there is a boatload. I will tell you something; the Homelite stringtrimmers are not the same Homelite as chainsaws. There was a very common engine IBC which is a good engine but not so tough. Over time of stress and wrong mix this can get its crank bent. Since the flywheel timing is keyed to the crank it is difficult but not impossible to rectify.

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Bryan in Iowa

07-05-2007 05:26:24




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
aghhhhh stop the buzzing!!!! LOL After repairing roughly 8-10 weedeaters per day here lately this summer . First thing I do is make sure you got new spark plug , then check exhaust , muffler not plgged , ports clean , then look at fuel lines and filter. If any ethanol was used , fuel lines are more than likely junk. Thye swell up , split , fall off etc, or filter gets gummed up. New line are yellow colored and resist ethanol . Finally , if still running bad , clean carb and throw kit in it . Some mixture screws are sealed or not easily adjustable, pull off plugs and toss , some screws you need to take small cutoff wheel or hack saw and grind slot in for screwdrive to fit .

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MBU

07-04-2007 23:36:48




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
hmmm they don't let one edit their post... that's strange.

Charlie,

One more thing... If you put in a carburetor kit take a couple of digital pictures of how the diaphragms fit before you completely disassemble it. It'll save you lots of time in the end! Don't ask me how I know this. third party image

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MBU

07-04-2007 23:30:00




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
Charlie,

For what it's worth...

I have a John Deere trimmer (original manufacturer is Echo) and it too had no power. Like others have said, the problem was the carburetor. They have a couple of rubber diaphragms and these developed some pinhole leaks. Put a new kit in and the problem was solved.

By the way, only a couple of companies make carburetors for small engines so most small engine repair shops should have a kit that will work for you.

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Stumpalump

07-05-2007 06:29:33




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to MBU, 07-04-2007 23:30:00  
MBU, This forum is old school,hard to use , hard to search,can't edit,responses are out of order ect ect. Still my favorit but dang I wish they would join the 21 century. Almost every forum out there has abandon this format for a reason. The reason is they are just plain better in every way except content.YT has them beat in that department.



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annn

07-04-2007 23:14:28




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
Electronic ignitions on these things either work, or they don't. Meaning it either runs, or it doesn't.

Sounds like you either have a gummed up carburetor, or a plugged muffler. As others have mentioned, check for the mud wasps building a nest in the muffler and blocking the hole. Also check the spark arrestor screen. They can become clogged with carbon buildup.



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ron kaufman

07-04-2007 21:28:18




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
If its starts but will not open up past an idle. Check the muffler to see if a mudd dabber has build a nest in it. I got zinged be my small engine guy twice he found this in mine. He new exactly where to look. The last time he took a little screw driver out of his pocket and turn his back on me. He then turned around and said now start it.



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TomH in PA

07-04-2007 19:59:14




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
Take a close look at the fuel line for cracks, Especially where it might be rubbing or passing into the tank.



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General Quagmire

07-04-2007 18:58:47




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
Spray a little starting fluid in the carb when it is running and with the throttle open, if the engine picks up you have a carb or fuel supply problem. If the engine stays the same you could have a spark arrestor problem or something binding between the engine and trimmer head.



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dds-inc

07-04-2007 18:28:55




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
Instead of just cleaning the spark arrestor- JUST THROW THE SPARK ARRESTOR AWAY.



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NCWayne

07-04-2007 17:30:40




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
I"ve got an oler Homolite that was given to me by an Uncle after taking it to a repair shop doing the same thing.....and they told him it wasn"t repairable. After he gave it to me I took off the spark arrestor and cleaned it out and it"s been running like a top for two years now.



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farmer boy

07-04-2007 15:53:12




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
Check the air intake filter as well as the other things metioned. Our Stihl wouldn't rev very high about a week ago and it turned out that the filter had moved ahead and was restricting the air flow. I took the cover and pushed it back in and it revs full again. I still wonder how it moved ahead cause the cover pushes it back but at least it works.



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Greg_Ky

07-04-2007 15:42:50




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
Charlie,
Check the spark arrester screen in the muffler they will get carbon build up on them and cause the symptom that you have. Remove it wire brush it and replace it and see if that helps.



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Ken Crisman

07-04-2007 15:34:00




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Charlie M, 07-04-2007 15:28:06  
If it was the electronic ignition it wouldn't start at all . Sounds like carberator problems or the fuel line from the tank . Sitting with fuel in the system would cause it to gum up . Good luck & God bless, Ken



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Rustyj14.

07-19-2007 20:15:45




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 Re: string trimmer with no power in reply to Ken Crisman, 07-04-2007 15:34:00  
I found a Homelite leaf blower sitting out with somebody's garbage one night, so i took it home. Found it would run, but not rev up. figured spark arrestor--not it! But, a new fuel filter fixed it! Runs good now.



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