Trust the Power Yard Tool Repair Experts

When your power yard tools are leaking gas, sputtering or won't start at all, Sears Home Services has the solutions you need to get your lawn and garden equipment going again. We can help you fix basic problems with expert DIY troubleshooting tips. When you can’t fix a power yard tool problem yourself, we have experts standing by at ServiceLive to fix the problem for you.

Here are some common DIY fixes to help you get your power yard tools going again quickly.

Why won't my Line Trimmer Start?

The engine needs gas, compression and spark in order to start. First, make sure there's fresh gas in the tank-old gas accumulates water and burns poorly. Replace the fuel if it's old. Add fuel stabilizer to the gas when you refill the tank to help keep the fuel fresh.
If the fuel is fresh, check the fuel lines for cracks. Air enters the carburetor instead of fuel when the fuel lines have cracks. Replace the fuel lines if you find cracks in the lines. If the fuel lines are okay, you may need to rebuild or replace the carburetor because a dirty carburetor won't supply the engine with fuel.

Next, disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug. If you see deposits or corrosion on the electrodes, replace the spark plug.

Finally, to check for compression, remove the spark plug, press your thumb over the opening and pull the starter cord. If you don't feel air pushing from the cylinder, it's likely that the piston rings need to be replaced (for an accurate compression reading, use a compression gauge).

How to Replace Fuel Lines on a Weed Eater

Fuel lines that are cracked, bent or split will keep gas from flowing to the weed eater engine. Follow these steps to replace damaged fuel lines in your weed eater.

1. Wear work gloves to protect your hands. Work in a well-ventilated area.
2. Remove the fuel cap and empty the fuel tank into an approved storage container.
3. Fish the fuel filter out of the tank using a pair of needle-nosed pliers. Pull the fuel filter off the end of the fuel line.
4. Make a diagram or take a picture of how the fuel lines are configured between the tank and the carburetor. Remove the fuel lines from the carburetor using a pair of needle-nose pliers.
5. Pull the old fuel lines out of the tank. If necessary, use needle-nose pliers to grip the lines. If you can't pull the lines out, cut the lines flush with the tank. The use a small screwdriver to push the rest of the lines into the tank. Tip the weed eater and shake any fuel line pieces out of the tank.
6. Cut the ends of the new fuel lines at an angle so that they're easier to thread into the tank. Force the cut ends of the fuel lines into the proper holes of the tank, using needle-nose pliers if necessary. If the lines are tight, apply a small amount of oil to the outside of the line. Push the larger vent line about an inch into the tank. Push the smaller fuel supply line into the tank far enough so that the fuel filter will lay on the bottom of the tank.
7. Fish the smaller line out of the tank and cut the end of it square. Install the fuel filter onto the end of that fuel line and drop it into the tank.
8. Using your diagram or digital photograph for reference, reconnect the fuel lines to the carburetor.
9. Reattach the spark plug wire to the spark plug.

How to Rebuild a Weed Eater Carburetor

The carburetor controls the air/fuel mixture that ignites in the cylinder to drive the engine.

If the gas tank has plenty of fresh gas but the engine won’t start, check the carburetor by following these steps:

1. Remove the air filter.
2. Pour about a teaspoon of fuel into the carburetor.
3. Pull the starter rope.

If the engine starts then dies, the carburetor is probably the problem.

Rebuild the carburetor using the manufacturer-approved weed eater carburetor rebuild kit.

Use this basic procedure to rebuild the carburetor using on Craftsman, MTD, Toro, Weed Eater, Troybilt, Snapper, Cub Cadet and Poulan weed eaters.

1. Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear work gloves to protect your hands. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
2. Remove the fuel cap and the drain the tank into an approved storage container.
3. Pull the fuel lines off of the carburetor, using needle-nose pliers if necessary. Remove the cover from the air filter housing and then remove the air filter. Use an Allen wrench to remove the 2 mounting screws that secure the carburetor to the engine. Pull the air filter housing off of the carburetor. Remove the carburetor from the side of the engine. The throttle cable is still attached to the carburetor. Disconnect the throttle cable and remove the carburetor.
4. Place the carburetor on a clean work surface. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws from the bottom cover of the carburetor. Remove the cover and then pull off the diaphragm and gasket. Remove the top cover with the primer bulb from the carburetor. Replace the primer bulb. On the bottom of the carburetor, note how the lever, spring and hinge pin fit together. Remove the screw and pull those components out of the carburetor. Clean all ports and jets in the body of the carburetor with aerosol carburetor cleaner and compressed air. Allow the carburetor to dry for at least 10 minutes. Some carburetor cleaners can damage the diaphragms if you reassemble the carburetor when it’s still wet. Install the needle and lever on the bottom of the carburetor. Secure those components with the screw. Then install the gasket, diaphragm and cover. Install the top cover and primer bulb. Make sure you install all components in the same order and manner in which you removed them.
5. Reinstall the carburetor and reassemble the weed eater by reversing the above disassembly steps.
6. Reconnect the spark plug wire.