Stupid Trimmer Won't Fire

[arrabil]

Howdy. So its a new plug and I've visually verified spark. Gapped properly and tried a bigger gap too. Has compression. Tried a new fuel mix although the old mix fires the chainsaw just fine. I've drained all the gas mix, pulled the plug, and let it sit for two days. The plug is wet after pulling the rope. Gas spews out the choke end of the carb. In fact everything gets covered in fuel the more I try to start it. Seems the engine is flooded but drying it out doesn't accomplish anything. I've run carb cleaner through everything hoping to un-gum it. Troy-Bilt TP20CS (the P and C must stand for Piece and Crap). I used it two weeks ago no problem. It sat for a week and a half and voila, paper weight. I'm at a complete loss as to what to do. Ideas? Thanks!

 

[doall]

be careful with any ethanol gas in trimmers. I have a stihl 029 saw running fine, put the same gas in my 110 stihl trimmer nothing. remix same results. carry it to the dealer, he tells me find some gas with no ethanol. runs like a charm. maybe it'll work for you.

 

[Eagleview]

Check the exhaust outlet for a Mud Dauber Wasp nest .

 

[arrabil]

Believe it or not I've done that. I didn't know thats what they were called but something around here builds a nest in any hole it find. It does take them longer than two weeks generally though.

 

[kenmac]

not cutting down your equipment but, buy high end equipment & you won't have any problems. I have 2 trimmers, 2 chain saws, 2 blowers & never have any problems with them starting year after year. even with ethanol gas

 

[arrabil]

I don't disagree. Just purchased a Tanaka a couple hours ago actually.

Still, you'd expect an engine that worked two weeks ago to work two weeks later.

 

[doall]

not cutting down your equipment but, buy high end equipment & you won't have any problems. I have 2 trimmers, 2 chain saws, 2 blowers & never have any problems with them starting year after year. even with ethanol gas

whats wrong with Stihl?:ashamed:

 

[Eagleview]

It does take them longer than two weeks generally though.

They must work for a government department , our private contractor wasps can complete a nest in two hours flat .

 

[om21braz]

I don't disagree. Just purchased a Tanaka a couple hours ago actually.

Still, you'd expect an engine that worked two weeks ago to work two weeks later.

+1 Went through 2 Ryobi's from Lowe's in less than a year, bought a Stihl FS85 - it's working on 14 years old.

 

[jbarker855]

There's really not too much to these small engines. You say you have fresh fuel, compression, and spark, but still no-go. Barring some rather unusual problem, there's not much else to look at besides the carb. You say that gas spews out the choke side of the carb when you try to start it. This is almost certainly a carb problem causing you trouble. If you care enough to mess with it, I would try rebuilding the carburetor.
-Jay

 

[Bird]

carry it to the dealer, he tells me find some gas with no ethanol

If my dealer told me that, I'd have to ask, "Where?" I sure don't know where we could find any in our area.

But so far, my 3 year old Mantis tiller and 5+ year old Stihl string trimmer are running just fine on gas with ethanol. (knock on wood) Of course I'm using Stihl's synthetic 2-cycle oil and Stabil in the gas.

 

[arrabil]

This is almost certainly a carb problem causing you trouble. If you care enough to mess with it, I would try rebuilding the carburetor.

I was thinking that too because I've tried everything I know.... There seems to be an awful lot of fuel coming through the choke end. I was thinking if this much is coming out the back and the same amount is going to the piston, its probably too much to be ignitable. Does that sound reasonable?

I took the two covers off this one, it doesn't look rebuildable to me. But I've never dealt with these small square jobbies. What would I be looking to replace?

You think I'd be better off just buying a new carb?

I'd actually like to get this engine running so I can sell it! I'm pretty sure I'm never going back to it after the Tanaka comes in.

I sure don't know where we could find any in our area. ...... Of course I'm using Stihl's synthetic 2-cycle oil and Stabil in the gas.

I use Amsoil synthetic and Stabil too. So my engines stay in good shape!!!! Much good that did me with these stupid trimmers!!! I believe this is the third dead one, but definitely the second.

I do know where to get 100% gas though. We got two stations advertising it. Its ten cents per gallon more but I can see the mileage benefit on my truck's MPG computer.

 

[kenmac]

whats wrong with Stihl?:ashamed:

you posted it was a troy built ???? That's what's wrong.. I run my 2 cycle mix at 100 to 1 per amsoil synthetic instructions. Like I said, I have run mine for years hrs upon hrs at a time & they never fail to start. my oldest trimmer is a husky 325 LX. Probably had it 8 yrs

 

[doall]

you posted it was a troy built ???? That's what's wrong.. I run my 2 cycle mix at 100 to 1 per amsoil synthetic instructions. Like I said, I have run mine for years hrs upon hrs at a time & they never fail to start. my oldest trimmer is a husky 325 LX. Probably had it 8 yrs

No I said I have a 029 stihl and 110 trimmer. I'm the one that mentioned the ethonal. Then you said to the original poster that ethanol wouldn't matter in quality equipment.

 

[VABlue]

Ethanol-free fuel can normally be found at marina's, where you'll pay a premium for it...

 

[Egon]

Is there any chance the reed valves are not working properly?

 

[jbarker855]

arrabil-
What you said about "too much fuel to be ignitable" sounds right.
The carbs are rebuildable, but there is not too much to them. Usually a gasket or two and a fuel pump diaphragm. Often, the rebuilding process is more just to get the carb apart and clean out the passageways with carb cleaner.
I admit I am not familiar with the particular model you speak of, but if you just want to rebuild it to sell it, it's probably not worth your time. How much could you get for it, $30?
A new carb would probably be prohibitively expensive.
Good luck with this.
-Jay

 

[arrabil]

Is there any chance the reed valves are not working properly?

Egon, where/what are the reed valves?

Often, the rebuilding process is more just to get the carb apart and clean out the passageways with carb cleaner.

Jbarker, I think I'm going to give this a shot. The rebuild kit is $15, a new carb is $55. I was hoping to get it running and sell it for $50 on Craigslist. But yeah, it may only be worth $30. Still, I hate just throwing things out.

 

[amaxwell]

Good choice on the Tanka, I have had the same one for over 15 years.Starts every time.
Alton:

 

[Nitro-Fish]

I would say you are just wasting your time messing with the carburetor, these things are made to be disposable, your time and aggravation are worth something, not to mention the cost of the carb kit (or worse yet, a new carb). I'm not familiar with the TB trimmers, but if it's anything like the Ryobi's I've seen, the rod is a 2 piece stamped steel POS that literally beats the engine up from the inside out! I would guess the crank seals are shot if it has any time on it at all. I see you already purchased a new trimmer, I would cut the losses now, carry the old trimmer out with the trash and never look back; chances are the sting line bump head (even if it is in any kind of shape), won't fit a decent trimmer either.