Anybody here service or know anything about small engines? Especially like one found on a weedeater. My dad gave me his old one. He had it repaired but he had brought him a new one so I got the old one. Anyways what it is doing is it will crank up and run, but for maybe 30 seconds. I have had it running for as much as a couple of minutes but then it starts cutting out and then just shuts off. Sometimes it will crank right back up again but then it shuts off again.

We tried changing the gas because my dad said it was old gas. I haven't changed the plug yet but we have talked about that and checked the one that was in there. It is doing the same thing he had it repaired for. I told him to take it back to his friend and have him fix it again.

Any ideas on what could cause it to keep shutting off?

Thanks

 

Could be several things. But probably the easiest for you to check is fuel filter. Dump all the old fuel out first. You'll see where the fuel line runs into the tank Take some needle nose pliers, or hook the end of a wire hanger, and pull the line out. On the end of the line will be something that looks like an airstone in an aquarium. You can take an old toothbrush and scrub it really well, or just buy a new one. Add new fuel and try again.

 

Also, it may be getting too much fuel and flooding out....maybe?

Does the fuel need to be mixed with oil?

 

I hope to God you're mixing oil in the fuel... and go change the plug. Should fix it. 2 strokes are very simple machines...

 

Someone gave me a weedeater once and if I remember right it did about the same thing. I found the muffler was plugged up with carbon.

 

X2...

 

i just went through something similar to this with a weedwhacker. the problem ended up being a clogged spark arrestor screen which was held on by a simple spring clamp. the screen was near the muffler, and was around the size of the diameter of a nickle.

i first thought it was the fuel filter also, but that turned out to be okay.

 

2 strokes are awesome. When I'm having problems getting a weed eater, lawn mower, go cart etc to run, I take out the spark plug and dip the internal side in gas and put it back in. It thins the oil a bit and cleans things on the inside and that usually does the trick for the rest of the season. I've always done this, and its never messed anything up.

 

Well for weedeater... dude you can get one at wal mart for like $60...... They are extremely disposable. I wont even take the time to change the spark plug in one. If it last 2 seasons thats only $30 per year. If it takes more than 10 pulls to start it, I go buy a new one and sell the old one for $20-$30. So every 2-3+ years (yes I have got 5 years with out even changing a plug before). I pay $30-$40 (after I sell the old one) and I get a brand new one. Worth $40 to me! So 2 years of service is now $20 per year.

Now for what your problem might be....... Besides what has been suggested
It could also be a bad magneto. I've got a 55cc pocket rocket here doing the same thing.... That cost about $20. Your 1/2 way to a brand new trouble free weedeater......
Fuel Filter = $2
Spark arrestor = $???
Spark Plug = $2
Carburater rebuild kit = $15-$20
Magneto = $15-20

So you could have $44 invested plus your time and then it still not work or not be right or maybe it runs great then something else breaks in a few weeks.......

Now if it's a stihl or something of equal cost $300+.... then I might think about working on it.