I have a john deere weedeater from home depot. Same trimmer as the homelite, ryobi and others. It's about 5 or 6 years old. I have tried to maintain it well. New plug and filter every year. Last year I had some starting problems due to priming bulb. I put straight seafoam in it and pumped and pumped the bulb to clean it up. It has been running great for a year. Now, it idles fine and cuts good till motor is hot or really worked in heavy grass. I'm thinking compression is starting to go. Motor tired? What do yall think???
weed trimmer replacement?
- Thread starter tsmay51
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JTK
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How many hours do you put on it? Lots of hours and you might want a nice powerful, light commercial duty trimmer. New plug and a/f every year is impressive! I don't know if I've ever replaced the plug and a/f on my string trimmers. For me, stuff breaks on them before the engine wears out.
As far as new plug and filter I just figure it's cheap insurance every year. I can replace the plug for 2 bucks and either clean the filter or replace it for about 5 bucks. When I grab my lawn equipment I want it to work. I hate stopping and going and buying parts. I don't think I need a industrial trimmer. If I can spend 100 to 150 bucks and get 5 years out of one I'm happy.
I don't know what your trimmer's symptoms indicate, but two cycles can sometimes clog up the screen inside the muffler causing a power loss. Check the muffler.
An new Echo SRM-210 would be my choice if you're buying new.
I would recommend a Stihl FS45. Mine was $140.
if the compression was low you would expierence starting problems before you would expierence running problems.
Another thing to check would be the exhaust- it may be partially plugged. Should be an easy fix and you'll be set for a few more years.
I didn't even think of the exhaust being plugged. That may well be my issue. I guess I'll check into a new muffler for it. Thanks.
My trimmer has done the exact same thing to me twice. Both times it was the plug. Let us know how it turns out.
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Before you just replace the muffler, make sure that the exhaust port is clean also. Depending on the oil used and the design of the exhaust port, excessive carbon build-up in the port itself could be the problem. I have also found that small engine spark plugs can be a little tempermental. I have seen plugs that "LOOK" brand new not even start the engine. I have had really good luck with NGK's and use them in all my yard equipment with very good results.
if the exahsut was plugged up he would expierence this problem no matter the temparture of the engine.
sence this is a temparture related problem i would look at the jetting and not the sprakplug, not the muffler, not the compression.
sence this is a temparture related problem i would look at the jetting and not the sprakplug, not the muffler, not the compression.
From my own experience it could most certainly be the spark plug.
Maybe it's just as simple as a intake gasket that leaks when the engine gets hot. Check your carb. mounting screws and see if that makes a difference.
In some cases, the electonic ignition module goes 'crappo' when it gets hot. Cools off, and it works fine again.
Probably costs more than the whole trimmer costs new.
Probably costs more than the whole trimmer costs new.
Thanks for the input. I took the muffler off and plan on cleaning it. There is a good amount of buildup. I think I am gonna take the carb off and clean it up as well. I'll post and let ya know if that does any good. Anything more than that I'll probably just buy a new one. I'm leaning towards echo, stihl, or husqvarna. I cannot complain from the service I have got out of this cheapo though.
Well... No one will read this more than likely but I finally broke down and bought a echo srm210. My old trimmer has had it I guess. The new one is nice. Doesn't seem to have any more power but much smoother running and lighter for sure. It is nice. Thanks guys.
So, I take it that the cleaning didn't help any? Why did you chose the Echo over the other 2 options you listed?
Convenience. Echo was available at home depot. I also had a store credit there from something I returned a while back. The cleaning didn't seem to help much. A buddy of mine has the same trimmer he bought ayear before I bought mine. His is doing the same thing. I think he is taking it to a shop. I just couldn't justify spending much money on mine just to find out. Seems like the shops around me want to charge a minumum of about $40.
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