Y60 25cc

A mower shop guy tweaked the carburetor adjustments last year in an attempt to make it run better. 'Turns out it was bad gas anyhow.

This spring, for some reason, it won't run after it's warmed up a few minutes. (The choke is open...) I've seated the Low & High carb screws, then backed them out 2 turns as a starting point. No matter which way I go with the adjustments, the engine won't run after a few minutes. Let it sit for 4-5 hours, and it will run again - until it's warmed up. Then it dies and is hard to start/won't run again.

Any suggestions?

 

Usually this is due to a scored cylinder and/or crankcase air leak. It could be a tank vent problem or something like that but I'd check compression. Does the primer still operate properly when it dies? Does it start up easily when it is cool or does it take some pulling? Does it run smoothly when it first starts?

 

It takes a few extra tugs to start. 'Might run a little rough... The primer bulb seems to work okay.

It's only about five years old. I know it's not a premium piece of equipment, but I would think the piston/cylinder wall would last longer than this, eh?

I'll check the vent, etc.

 

I wouldn't expect it to run that long if the cylinder had much scoring can always pull the muffler and get a little look at part of the cylinder and piston by turning it over.
majority of problems with trimmers is usually fuel related carb, fuel line or fuel filter issues would probably start there if the cylinder looked ok, replace any gas lines that need replaced, check filter or replace, then replace or rebuild carb you can buy replacement carbs online so cheap your probably not saving much by putting a kit in it.

 

Ok, with it running rough when it runs it could be fuel related. I was thinking it would start and run good and then minutes later start failing. The cylinder and piston can last a long time but the fuel controls are so finicky that these rarely run with the proper air/fuel ratio. When that happens, pistons and cylinders don't last long because of increased heat and decreased lubrication. Walmart has trimmers for $58, so I wouldn't spend a ton of time working on it. The MTD trimmers are pretty low (dead last) on the quality totem pole and by the time you get a carb, fuel lines, primer, filter, etc..., you will exceed the value of it.

 

I was thinking the same thing about initial cost vs. repair. If I spent $75 on it and it lasted five years, I won't lose much sleep over throwing it away. Sadly, the saying "It's becoming a throw-away world" seems to be coming true.

FWIW, the tank vent is venting...

Thanks

 

"Sadly, the saying "It's becoming a throw-away world" seems to be coming true."

Very sad indeed. I hate the fact that my advice in a do it yourself repair forum has sometimes got to be, "throw it away and buy another". It's the option that makes the most sense though, unfortunately, because manufacturers make junk out of junk materials because when offered two products, the consumer will nearly always buy the one that is 50 cents cheaper without regard to quality. In fact, the consumer no longer has an ability to determine quality.

 

So, Cheese, can you tell me which brands are "clones" made by the same manufacturer as Yard Machine? I think another company deserves a try...

 

Well, it might be easier to tell you what brands aren't made by a low end company rather than list the ones that are. I think for a low priced quality trimmer that fits the bill for long reliable life in non-commercial or light commercial use is one of the lower priced Echo models. That's going to run you $200 though. Thing is, it will be stronger, easier to use, more dependable, last longer, and every time you pick it up to use, you will appreciate the difference. Look at the SRM225. Other companies make good ones too but the echos are easy to find and get service and parts for as well and my opinion is that they are about the best bang for the buck. If you are looking for a trimmer under $100, then I'd buy the cheapest one you can find, they are close to the same as far as quality. The weedeater featherlite trimmers do pretty darn good for $60 trimmers.

Your yard machines is MTD, which also includes Troy Bilt, Bolens, Cub Cadet, White, Ryobi (MTD sold the ryobi name so not all ryobi is MTD), Huskee, Mastercut, Farm King, Remington, and many other lesser-known names.

 

I agree with cheese on Echo. I would also look at Husqvarna. The main difference and preference for the Husq IMO, is you can still fairly easily adjust the Husq, where Echo takes a bit of special knowledge and tools to access the adjustments. Both of these are going to be in the $200 + range.

For around the 100 $ mark, I would look at battery power personally. Unless you are doing large areas and using it more than 45-min at a time my electrics do all I need.

 

I used to work at a small engine repair shop in middle school. When trimmers would come in it usually cost more to repair then to replace with new. I would look into Stihl power equipment. Even their homeowner line is great. The old saying applies, buy nice or buy twice!

 

My $0.02 on cheap trimmers is they will last a lot longer if the fuel mix is mixed a little richer, if the manual says 50:1 mix it 40:1 or 32:1, a little smoke is better than a scored cylinder. Have a good one. Geo

 

Personally I would avoid Stihl like the plague, especially residential trimmers. I see as many if not more of them come in dead than any others. And they are not inexpensive.

 

Yeah, I hate to shy away from Stihl because they were always so good, but lately my opinion is not as good. Hopefully they will get over the hump. Their FS76 and FS80 trimmers were the best thing ever.

 

If it sat more than a few months without fresh gas running thru it, the carb is varnished inside. Take it apart, and clean it. You may need to use a tiny drill bit to un-clog the jets. (by hand)
So much corn in todays gas, it doesn't take long to go bad.

 

Well, I took my new Husqvarna 128LD out for a spin yesterday. 'Nice unit. (Not life-altering, but nice.) Smooth, powerful, and never once stalled in the high grass. A little heavier than the old YardMan, but then again, a Mercedes weighs more than a Chevy Cruze...

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

All...Watch out for incorrect or bad spark plugs!!! I got the wrong plug due to an incorrect cross-reference chart from Auto Zone (who generally is right on). I also spoke with a local sales and service shop that said they had some bad plugs. Remember, just because you have a new spark plug does not mean that it is good. In my case, I got an NGK BM6F that caused the running/performance issues. After replacing the spark plug with an NGK BPMR7A my trimmer ran good. NOTE: I also ordered a carb adjusting tool online to adjust the carb and really get it running great.

 

Echo GT 225. Rah, Rah! and Rah!