String trimmers or weed eaters are incredibly useful machines until they decide to break down. If your string trimmer is giving you a hard time when you try to start it, the issue might lie in the carburetor. In this article, we’ll show you how to clean a carburetor on a weed eater.
While fixing this part of your weed eater might sound like a difficult task, we’re here to tell you that it’s not. Simply pay some attention and follow these steps and you should be good to go in no time!
So, without further ado, here’s how to clean a carburetor on a weed eater:
Things You Will Need
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Putty knife
- Steel wool
- Carburetor solution
- Newspaper(s)
How to Clean a Carburetor on a Weed Eater
- First things first, detach the plastic shield from your weed eater. Then undo all the screws and slowly detach the top half of the plastic which should expose the tool’s components.
- Once you do that, detach the air filter, which can be the cause of the issue, instead of the carburetor.
- Clean the air filter using soap and water. Continuously flush out anything that has color to it to the point where the filter becomes as white as possible, then let it dry before getting it back in place.
- Once you’re done with the air filter, move to the carburetor, which can be removed by disconnected its two primary input connections. The first of these is a hose going into the crankcase of the engine, while the second is the site of the carburetor diaphragm. Put the carburetor on a newspaper or something of the sorts when removing the nuts as it will most likely leak.
- Drain the carburetor from all the filter that you have removed. There is also the issue of gas which can build-up as a thick and sludgy residue. Remove it by using a pipe cleaner and a solution that’s specifically made for carburetors.
- Open the carburetor case by unscrewing the bolts that hold the two halves of the carburetor together. This will expose the float bowl, which is usually the dirtiest part of the machine.
- Use a putty knife and the steel wool to scrape off the built-up sludge inside the float bowl. Do not use soap or water, or anything like that.
- Reassemble the carburetor and install it back into your trimmer. Make sure to replace the gas before trying to start the trimmer completely. And that’s how to clean a carburetor on a weed eater!
How to Clean a Carburetor on a Weed Eater: Verdict
Make sure to clean the carburetor of your weed eater in a well-ventilated area and to wear safety goggles.