Ideas on why my weed wacker isn't starting?

[nd6]

I bought a weed wacker at a yard sale and intended to fix it up and give my current one to my son. The make and model is Weedeater TE400. It has a two-strong engine. Here is what I have done:

• Fresh gas
• New spark plug
• New fuel lines
• New carburetor

But it still won't start. A few times it has run weakly for a second or two.

I do smell gas after yanking on the cord for a while, so maybe it ends up getting flooded. I'm not sure.

I've tried various choke settings, and with and without the throttle engaged.

How can I figure out what the problem might be?

 

[kelpaso1]

Check the compression. If its below 140-150 PSI it's toast.

 

[trentonmakes]

Bad gas? [emoji100] [emoji100] [emoji100] [emoji100]

Drain the float/fuel bowl

 

[zkling]

Try cleaning out the exhaust port and spark arestor if present. Does it feel like it has a good amount of compression?

Future reference I wouldn't have bothered with that thing, especially putting a new carb and lines on it.

 

[Gregg33]

I'm not sure its really worth buying a used trimmer, unless it's a high end brand like Stihl. Having said that is it getting spark. Could be a coil?

 

[nd6]

Yes it is getting spark, and the compression feels good although I haven't done a formal diagnostic test.

 

[kelpaso1]

Try cleaning out the exhaust port and spark arestor if present. Does it feel like it has a good amount of compression?

Future reference I wouldn't have bothered with that thing, especially putting a new carb and lines on it.

^^Yep.Most cheap weedeters are rated for about 40-50 hours life cycle and cost less than a 100 bill. I don't even waste my time on them.

 

[Dust Devil]

People do not sell weed eaters that run, if it is in a yard sale it is broken.

 

[Dust Devil]

Buy a stihl and forget about it.

 

[joel63]

Yes it is getting spark, and the compression feels good although I haven't done a formal diagnostic test.

Shaft seals worn?

 

[Milton Shaw]

Try cleaning exhaust screen as suggested above. They clog and you don't get any exhaust out of the engine so it cannot run. You can remove the screen on most models and the unit will run a lot better. The screens get clogged from too much oil in gas mix or from running rich. They are in there to prevent sparks starting fires and are part of a government regulation on any motor used in national forests.

 

[bart1]

Buy a stihl and forget about it.

Bull **** My FS85 is an enormous pain in my @$$. This year I was determined to get it right, spent $150 more dollars on it, and even run the $30/gal Stihl fuel, and it's still moody. I hate our disposable society, but I am about ready to go back to buying a new $60 every year. Or electric. Maybe 4 stroke is better.

 

[Dust Devil]

Bummer

 

[ezzzzzzz]

I went through three cheap wackers, two were 4 cycle and one a 2 cycle. The low quality of materials and the use of pump gas cuts their life short to about one year each. My last purchase was an Echo at about $325. This thing runs like a scalded dog every time. I only run TruFuel these days. Yep, it cost quite a bit more but it doesn't trash the carbs like ethanol fuel does.

 

[boosteddsm92]

Bull **** My FS85 is an enormous pain in my @$$. This year I was determined to get it right, spent $150 more dollars on it, and even run the $30/gal Stihl fuel, and it's still moody. I hate our disposable society, but I am about ready to go back to buying a new $60 every year. Or electric. Maybe 4 stroke is better.

I agree, my Stihl is an enormous PITA.

People do not sell weed eaters that run, if it is in a yard sale it is broken.

Got an Echo SRM225 at a yard sale and it's been great for years. I'd buy another Echo way before a Stihl.