Why Can I Not Seem to Start the Weed Eater

Electric Weed Eater

• Most weed eaters are gas powered, internal combustion engines, but some are electric. If your weed eater is electric, you may have only a few options before bringing your tool to a shop. To begin, switch the on/off switch to "On." Next, firmly insert the plug connection into a power outlet or extension cord. Finally, plug in another device to check the power outlet to be certain that it's working.

Gas Powered Checklist

• If your weed eater is gas powered, then go through a simple checklist to determine what's causing the difficulty in starting. To start, first check the on/off switch and put it in the "On" position. Next, check the fuel tank and then fill it if it's empty. If the weed eater hasn't been used in a long time, then drain the old fuel and replace it with fresh fuel. Next, check that you've primed the engine and placed the choke in the third position.

Advanced Check List

• Check if you detect a gaseous odor, and then assume that the engine is flooded if there's a smell. This occurs when the fuel to air ratio is too rich. By setting your weed eater aside for 20 minutes, the fuel should vaporize and the engine should start as usual. Also check the spark plug. If it's wet, then you may need to replace it, or if it's dirty, then clean it. Also check if the spark plug is properly gapped at 0.025.

Final Check List

• If the weed eater still doesn't start, then you can take a few final steps to troubleshoot. First, check the air filter for dirt and clean it if necessary with dish soap and hot water. If it looks dirty, it may be altering the fuel to air mixture. Finally, check the fuel lines to determine if they're broken or kinked. Replace or repair them before attempting to start the engine. If you've tried everything and the engine still doesn't start, bringing your weed eater to a mechanic is your next step.