Bad Gas

[MoKelly]

I had an experience this weekend. I have 2 trimmers ... exactly the same make/model. I was trimming and the thing just stopped. Tried starting and something was wrong ... it just wouldn't run properly.

So, I went and got the other trimmer. SAfter a few minutes ... exact same issues as the other trimmer.

Well, that was a pretty easy diagnosis. I mixed up a can of new gas and after a few pulls, both trimmers were running perfectly.

Overall not a bad day except it took about 30 minutes of my time.

MoKelly

 

[caspar3259]

I've come to believe the smaller the engine, the more sensitive it is to old fuel. My string trimmer is the worst and needs fresh gas to run at all. Chainsaw is a little better, blower a little better yet.

-Jeff

 

[WilliamTO-35]

I've found the same thing as Caspar ; the smaller the motor , and carburetor, the more likely it is to clog up. The little Walbro carburetor on many string trimmers is an "all position" diaphram type, and has a needle valve looking piece attached to the diaphram. I've found that's where the " gunk" accumulates and causes trouble. On the other hand, my McCullough chainsaw , circa 1980, has a larger Walbro carburetor, and has never been off of the engine. I have recently, however, started adding fuel preservative to all of my 5 gallon cans when I fill them, and maybe that will help the small carburetor engines.

 

[2manyrocks]

The ethanol gas goes bad quickly when it sits in your carb or in your fuel can. It will corrode passages in your carb that the older types of gas would just gum up with varnish. It's a particular nuisance in trimmers where you can't just shut off a fuel valve and run it totally out of the carb.