FEEL jolt from Weed Eater plug, but no visible spark in the shade

I then took the gas weed wacker apart to look at plug wire coming from that laminated coil and to make sure that the laminate was really close to the rotating flywheel magnet.

Is that combo coil/ plug wire the likely point of failure?, or is it common that weed wackers don't give off big sparks that you can see in 2-cycle engines? Note that there is an off switch to that coil, but the switch sounds good, and the fact I do feel a spark. It's just that it seems weak.

The wacker does start up and run, for like 3 seconds every once in a great while, after you have pulled the pull cord to the point of getting a heart attack.

Weed Eater model FL20. 20cc engine, 15 inch cut. I wonder what a unit like this even is worth. I found it in the garbage several year ago and decided to try to get it going. It cranks wonderfully and feels like it has excellent compression, and looks to be in excellent condition.

 

Resale value on low end Weed Eaters if running is next to nothing, unless it is yours and it is getting the job done. I find them fix the ones I can and give them to someone or organization. Remove the plug and muffler and look at the piston and cylinder walls, if they have deep scratches the item is trash and a total waste of your time. Check the fuel lines usually they are rotted and need replacing, then remove the carb and rebuild it, you are now $15-20 into something that still may not run, new plug, etc. on and on. Have a good one. Geo

 

If I had to do all of that, I'd just forget it. Can you imagine doing all that, especially the carb, reassembly, and then it still does not work? Sledgehammer time! My time is worth something too - even if I am not on the clock somewhere. I need time to clean my cobwebs.

Thanks though.

 

If you are doing it as a hobby or learning experience it is amazing what you find. I picked up an old McCulloch trimmer, I was told it was 28-29 years old, put fuel line on it and carb kit, it starts and runs amazingly well. After checking it is an Echo/Kioritz engine, you never know what you will find. Have a good one. Geo