Featherlite Weed Eater

[earleto]

My featherlite will start on choke but after I switch to run it runs for a few seconds then dies. Is this a fuel mix problem or carb problem.

[UtahAV]

Hi earleto,

I would guess a carb problem. The carburetor can become clogged by dirt or other debris. The dirt may get by a damaged or missing air filter. It can enter through a crack in the fuel lines. Some tools use a foam air filter. Over time the filter itself will breakdown and create debris that will enter the carb and clog it. It is a good idea to replace the air filter at least once a year. If fuel is left sitting in an unused trimmer for more than a couple of months the fuel will begin to breakdown and go bad. As the fuel breaks down it will start to become gel like as well as begin to coat the internal parts of the carburetor with a varnish. The gel and varnish will plug the carburetor so that fuel can no longer flow through it. To get your trimmer running again you will need to either rebuild or replace the carburetor. When you replace the carburetor it is always a good idea to also replace the air and fuel filters. This helps ensure that more debris won't clog the new carburetor.

There is not a carb kit available for the FL20 trimmer so the carb will need to be replaced. There where two different carbs used in production on the FL20 trimmers. One was made by Walbro and one by Zama.

The Walbro carb is part #545081808
The Zama carb is part #530071822
The air filter is part #530057781
The fuel filter is part #530095646

I hope this helps to get your trimmer running again!

-UtahAV
-Mark

[ernbar]

If you haven't done so, close the idle needle and open 2 turns then see what happens. I had a similar experience and it was a lean setting.