My Weed Eater doesn't want to run right without the choke nearly all the way on. New fuel, spark plug was new late last summer and it ran fine then. First time out this spring it ran fine for a half hour then died. It always starts back up, just when you give it throttle it wants to die out unless you run the choke on it. Any ideas ?

 

The carb is gummed up. You likely need a special tool to adjust as well, i got mine for about $11 online.
Only run ethanol free premium gas in these, the ethanol gums up and causes all sorts of problems.

 

Ok, I figured I was going to have to tear the carb apart. The motor seems to have compression with a finger over the hole but I haven't put a gauge on it yet. Any idea how much psi the motor should put out ? I know if cylinder psi is down it won't send the right signals to the carb and wont run right. I want to check that before tearing into anything.

 

I agree carb is probably gummed up, but check one thing. On the muffler there may be a spark arresting screen between muffler and exhaust port. When this thing clogs up from running oil mix, it can cause them to idle, but won't take fuel. I've salvaged a couple where that was only thing wrong with them. Worth a shot.

 

I'll check that too.

 

Over the past several months neighbor had to borrow mine. According to them, with some of the newer power tools the carb settings are fixed so there's no way to work on them and apparently there have been a number of complaints. Fortunately theirs has a lenghty warranty so it's just a matter of finding a shop to honor it. The way the shop described it to them, stems from a problem with a faulty metering device thus dumping excess fuel in the cylinder causing a hydrualic lock. Anyhow, guess I will have to pay attn. if I purchase another power tool whether or not I can work on it?

 

the problem comes from the ethanol crap they are putting in gas these days. it deteriorates the gaskets in the carb, and the pickup lines in the gas tank. then everything falls apart.
even new machines have problems after a year or two, because they do not put the proper viton gaskets and lines required for running ethanol fuel in the machines.
this is also a big problem for people with older cars and trucks that have engines that run carburetors.

 

I used to use ethanol free only, but can't find high grade ethanol free gas here. Instead, I've been running Stabil marine ethanol treatment in high grade gas. It seems to be working well, even in the stuff I also have to mix with two stroke oil. My bike seems to like it.