DIY Weed Eater Repair

Remove wet grass or weeds caught around the trimmer head. Remove the spool. Clean the chamber.

Examine the trimmer line. If the line is worn, short, frayed or cut, replace it. Use the owner's manual to determine the correct line and length for replacement.

Check the weed eater settings. Turn off the choke. Turn on the ignition switch and throttle. Any other combination stops fuel delivery.

Open the gas cap and examine the fuel. If the fuel is dark, it is old and may have debris in it. Replace the fuel with fresh mix.

Take the cover off the fuel filter. Remove the filter and inspect it for debris. Replace the filter if you find damage, debris or buildup.

Pull the spark plug wire from the plug. Unscrew the spark plug. Clean the plug, the chamber it was in and the wire tip you disconnected, using a wire brush. Reassemble the pieces.

Replace the gas with fresh, properly mixed gas and oil. Use the correct fuel-to-oil ratio in the mix specified by the trimmer manufacturer. Weed eaters have a 2-cycle engine and cannot run on straight gasoline.

Remove the cover from the air filter. Clean the air filter with soapy water and a toothbrush. Allow the air filter to dry. Reassemble the pieces. Air filters get clogged from dry grass and dust, causing reduced air flow to the engine.

Unscrew the cover on the carburetor. Clean the carburetor filter with compressed air. Reassemble the carburetor. Adjust the screws to the carburetor with a screwdriver to adjust the fuel flow to the engine.

Remove the fuel line. Drain the line into a tub. Fill a second tub with gas. Submerge the line and check for leaks. Air bubbles indicate cracks or pinholes in the line. Replace the line if air bubbles are found. Reassemble the fuel line to the trimmer.

Spray the air hose and any moving parts with compressed air. This removes grass, dust, pollen and small debris caught in the intake.