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Re: [Shop-talk] string trimmer engine won't run

To: Brian Kemp <bk13@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] string trimmer engine won't run
From: Benjamin Zwissler <bjzwissler@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:08:59 -0400
Sounds to me like the diaphragm in your carb has torn.  I've had this happen
a few time ons 2-strokes about this age.  The diaphragm acts as a fuel pump
using the pressure pulses from the crankcase to pull fuel from the tank.  A
carb rebuild kit will include a new one.

Ben.....

On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 12:21 AM, Brian Kemp <bk13@earthlink.net> wrote:

> List,
>
> Last week my Homelite 2 stroke string trimmer stopped running and I'm after
> recommendations for things to check to get it running again.  It is a
> straight shaft, 15142-R, which I believe is a reconditioned ST1725SR.  It is
> about 10 years old, but mostly worked well over the years.  The same model
> sold at Home Depot and Lowes for $109 at the time.  I definitely got my
> money's worth, so won't be heart-broken if I can't get it running again.
> I used the trimmer with the stock string head around the yard then
> installed a Shakespeare Heavy-Duty Brush Cutter (
> http://www.lowes.com/pd_79979-42694-14872_0) in place of the string since
> I needed to cut more than a few weeds going into the canyon.  I do not
> recommend this cutter since you will be spending $8 for replacement blades
> any time you hit the ground or something heavier than a weed.
>
> I had new gas and mixed the oil as I've done for years.  After about 10
> minutes of use with the brush cutter, suddenly the trimmer lost power and
> stalled.  I found I could go to full choke, pull the cord, then go the half
> choke and pull the cord and have it run normally for a few minutes.  No
> choke and it died.  Once I hit a heavy patch of brush, it would loose power
> and only idle.  If I pulled the throttle it would stall.  I repeated this
> several times, with a shorter run period each time till I couldn't make the
> engine run.  Aside from the muffler area, the engine didn't feel all that
> hot when I got it back to the garage.
>
> The fuel hose was replaced a year ago and looks in good shape.  The foam in
> the air cleaner was a bit dirty, so I cleaned it.  The carb looked like new.
>  The spark plug was fine.  I cleaned the mesh spark arrester on the muffler
> exit as it was pretty dirty.  I drained the fuel and looked at the in tank
> filter and it looked good.  Pushing the primer bulb gives the normal
> behavior of getting firm after 6 pushes, so I don't think there is any fuel
> delivery problem.  There are two adjustment screws on the carb, but since
> they have not been touched in 10 years, I wouldn't expect they moved.  I
> learned from my Triumphs that you don't play with carbs if they were
> working.
>
> After this, I tried again with the stock string head back in place, but it
> would only idle at half choke.  Turn off the choke and it died.  Give it gas
> and it died.
>
> One of my thoughts is that the cutter head damaged the trimmer shaft.  The
> brush cutter was a bit more rotational mass and quickly became a bit out of
> balance when the cutter blades became bent or bits of the plastic came off.
>  Long thick grass also got wrapped up in the head and significantly loaded
> down the trimmer, requiring me to shut it off and clean out the grass.  Will
> damage here cause the trimmer to stall when the throttle is pulled or the
> choke is in run position?
>
> Thanks for any advice,
>
> Brian
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