Trimmer trouble... any small engine gurus?

Any small engine gurus who can help me troubleshoot my trimmer?

It will idle but won’t go to full throttle. When I hold part throttle it surges and bogs.

I’ve replaced the spark plug, fuel filter and lines, and air filter. Not sure what else to do and it’s driving me crazy

 

Might try replacing the carb

edit: or cleaning it. Take the bowl off and see if the plunger has build up

 

Sounds like the jets are gunked up, wonder if you stored it without treated fuel in it in the off-season. On 2-strokes, I drain the tank, the carb bowl, & pull the plug wire. Then pour in some ounces of Seafoam (from Auto parts store) and pull through the starter cord s-l-o-w-l-y to get it into everywhere. Pull the plug out and pour some in there too. Re-attach plug (not wire) and pull slowly again. Let sit for a day or 2, picking it up once or twice in all orientations, up/down/sideways whilst pulling the cord slowly (plug wire off).

Then drain, re-fill w/ fresh fuel (I treat all my small yard motors fuel all the time) and start. I’ve resurrected many a lawn mower, chain saw, trimmer and other small fas motors that people gave me as They thought they were broken.

 

Throw it away and buy a cordless one.

 

That sounds like a good call, thanks for the suggestion. Love me some Seafoam.

 

Look on the carb. If you're lucky you'll find two screws side-by-side with spring tensioners. One will have an L by and the other an H. That's for low and high speed. On the H screw, unscrew it a quarter of a revolution and see if it does better.

Or - GENTLY screw it all the way in, until it bottoms out. Note how many revolutions it takes. That will tell you how it was adjusted from the factory. Then remove the screw, and spray carb cleaner through the hole. Then reinsert the screw (gently put it all the way in, then back it out to match the factory setting you measured before starting)


If its a newer trimmer, the EPA restrictions doesn't let them make them adjustable anymore because people adjust them so they run way too rich and fog the neighborhood. But sometimes the carb still has adjustment screws and the adjustment limiter may be defeatable. Such as - there might be a little tab on the screw that only lets it adjust a quarter turn or so. If you can get the tab off, it may be adjustable.


If you can find a part # on the carb, check ebay. Sometimes you can pick up a new carb for very cheap.


BTW, this won't you today, but just an FYI... The fake Honda engines (called Chondas online, as in "Chinese Honda") have mostly interchangeable parts with the real Hondas. The carbs will bolt up on a honda. My 13HP pressure washer with a honda engine had a plugged carb, and I couldn't get it to run right even after taking the carb apart to clean it. For $12/free shipping, I got a new Chonda carb online and now it runs perfectly. Just search ebay & Amazon for the honda engine model (e.g. "honda gx390 carburetor").

 

Ethanol free gas will help cure these issues for the future. My small 2 strokes run so much stronger since starting to use pure gas. Also dont have to worry about them plugging up over winter.

 

Got it solved yesterday! Thanks again for the inputs. It was the jets that did the trick — removed them, sprayed carb cleaner, set the screws and it’s running like new now.

Acouple of thoughts:
* I do run ethanol free, especially since it’s 25 years old and wasn’t made for corn oil
* would an electric weedwhacker last 25 years and then get new life after a carb kit + a shot of carb cleaner? ...I’m happy with my 2-stroke

 

Honestly? Probably. Minus the carb kit and carb cleaner. They're so much simpler from a mechanical standpoint.

 

fresh fuel and carb cleaner

 

I haven't had to clean a carb since I started using TrueFuel on first start up in spring and last use in fall.

 

Batterys aren't going to last 25 years with regular use.

 

True. It takes 10 seconds to swap them though, and recharging is cheaper than mixing fuel and oil. I haven't added up the costs, but I bet it's similar.

That said, the lithium batteries in my drill have been going 10 years now. Still strong enough to swap into a circular saw and make plenty of cuts.

 

I only run 2 stroke power equipment, I love the power and it literally takes seconds to refuel to go back to work. I even bought a 2 stroke snowmobile because I love 2 stroke engines so much.The power , the smell and the quick revs are all things I enjoy.I forgot to add I love the exhaust note as well.

 

Yess that 2 stroke cologne is a big side benefit ❤️

I’ve been browsing new power tools and seriously considering electric though.

+ Lots of neighbors love their battery mowers, trimmers, blowers

- I like the torque on my trimmer and also being able to refuel quickly on big projects

- I’ve gotta buy another drill cause the batter is about expired, and a replacement battery costs as much as a drill

Are they making progress on rebuilding battery packs yet?

 

I tried a Chonda carb for my brother-in-laws 13hp Honda pressure washer and the studs were slightly off. Wouldn't bolt up. Do you happen to have the supplier name?

 

I bought off ebay 13 months ago. The listing I bought from now says it is sold out.
https://www.ebay.com/p/25023428208?iid=332795103393

Searching for the model # (16100-ZE3-V01) finds some listings though. You could try that.

 

I'll give that a try. Thank you.