Use an Ink Pen to Fix A Weedeater that dies 

I did not think there was a chance in hell this was going to fix my weed eater. I was just getting ready to buy a new one when I decided to give it a try, 2 seconds with a pen and I'm golden. Thank you very much!

My dad showed me the pen trick also but he would heat the end with a lighter and it makes it fit perfectly. Great video.

I just unscrewed the two screws holding the primer bulb without disconnecting the gas line. Lifted up and saw a dirty screen filter. Took a q-tip to absorb the excess gas which also removed 99% of the dirty particles then used compressed air to blow out the rest. Screwed it back on and cleaned the air filter and now it runs like new. Gotta love RU-vid

I did a carb replacement on an older trimmer. The new and original carbs had th SAME issue as shown above. I bought a new trimmer and ran it for 3 or 4 seasons before it started having this issue. battled it for a couple more years as i only used the trimmer 4 or 5 times each season. Played with choke setting (very finicky setting) once I got it started. Finally found this video and fixed the issue in 30 seconds. SO much frustration just washed away! Thank You!

Great video, I had this problem and using a bic pen worked. I put on a bunch of new parts for my weed eater and was so pissed I couldn’t get it started. I didn’t want to buy another tool that would take weeks to get here and this worked wonderfully, thanks for the vid!

I use to use a feather light weed eaters but they don't last me very long but I get my money worth out of them when I use to run them then I ran Bolens weed eaters and I ran Craftsman weed eaters as well and I ran Echo Husqvarna and Stihl

I've ran a Murray weed eater with a OEM carburetor on it and a curve shaft Craftsman weed eater with the same carburetor on it as well and the same thing to another Craftsman weed straight shaft string trimmer

I was given a mid 1980s WeedEater 1400 model in really good shape that would not start. Pull/push only for choke... no bulb at all. I found fuel lines deteriorated and the metering diaphragm needed replacement. The carb is tricky to get out and confounding for an amateur, but the metering diaphragm is easy to feel as a bit stiff and not pliable when exposed. I will install a new one and try again now that new lines and filter and correct fuel mix is ready. Spark plug was decent but replaced. A service shop job would easily be $50-70 and I can do this myself . 2-cycles are not real complex, but you need some understanding and patience... And this guy is methodical and clear as he explains step by step. On a mid 1980s model 1400.... the adjustment screws are marked H, L and are slotted ! So no problem other than a long blade small flat tip driver is needed ... Start at all the way 'in' just lightly and then back out about 1.25 turns each screw and go from there to adjust for smooth and barely rich running at L (idle) and H (full power).

I've got 18 yrs out of two of these weed eater brand W. Eaters and the 2nd is still going strong and it gets used about an hour a week. Replaced fuel lines a few times spark plugs air filter pull string and string head and primers. Basic routine repairs that happen to all after a given time.

Great idea using the pen👍 I have thrown a couple away after taking all the usable parts off them due to low compression.

Thank you again for the video, demonstrating how to fix this sort of problem. Of course, I'll give this a try to fix my collection of weed eaters for selling, thank you.

Thanks for the pen tip....after an hour and a half looking on line for ways to adjust screws....finally.....thanks again

That’s the best video I’ve see out of many,I needed to see the tip of the tool,and you made it clear.Also the make shift pen is also great tip.Thank you.

I have the same Weedeater I picked out of trash. I ended up using a electrical wire butt connector with needle nose plyers to turn. Adj screws but I also had to replace gas lines .

I was outside all day running in circles… after 3 minutes this got me rolling again… thank you

In my case, the issue was that the rear main seal, or oil seal was having some loss of compression. I noticed that the bolts that hold the back plastic seal, were loose and needed tightening. In addition, the seal was not seated and the gasket for that seal was as well loose. That solved the issue of a stalling engine for the weed eater.

I have 3 new weed whackers because of this..lol.i literally used a new on 3 times and it started dying when squeezing throttle..

Great video. Just used this trick to get my trimmer working.

Good little fix mate I have a full set and very cheap

I was given a weed eater because it would start and die, hope I can get it to run Thanks for the video

Thanks for the video! Just about to throw out my trimmer, but your help saved the day, and I saved time and money.

I came here to find the location of the adjustment screws and as a bonus got a tip tor the tool, thank you.

This is a small world when we look at it. Here is a crazy story. That machine is old as dirt. So happens 4 days ago guy next door put exact one in trash. Said he brought a Bolens curved shaft ( junk ), at Walmart. Said thing all at onece started and dies ( old machine ). Well, not that I need more projects or junk, but I took it lol. 2 days later returned it. Says what is this. I said a working weedeater. One pull fires up and runs. Verdict- course people in their bad gas. Lines all white and carb clogged. Now I did ajust carb first ( with the tool because much easy way to do it ). And that brung it back to life. However, I suspected more to the story is why it acted up. So I rebuilt carb and changed them nasty lines. Any event yes, the pen trick is where I started. That got old and got tool. Good vid.

That’s awesome. Now I know what to do next time, thank you 😌.

Thanks for the great video. Unfortunately mine will run just fine but dies out of nowhere after a couple minutes then starts right back up and dies again after another couple minutes.

I call them bic lighters because when they run out of gas, you cannot get them to ever run right again. Generally after a few years the fuel lines rot and fall off. I pick them up all the time and fix them up. For a few dollars I can replace the lines , then resell then.

I just found the same weed eater during big garbage day, brand new! doing the same thing when pressing the gaz, did this, IT WORK! Free weed eater hell yeah

Back at the end of the '70s I bought my father the weed eater brand weed eater. After it was a couple years old My father every spring would have to take it to the shop to get it worked on and it would last throughout the summer. If I'm not mistaken it lasted close to 20 years before my father went and picked himself up a new one. Touch on what you were saying about the special screwdrivers. If you are a prime member you can get a good set of these specialty screwdrivers for less than $10 and comes with either a bag or a case to put them in. After watching a lot of your videos and some from other RU-vidrs is how I found out that you could adjust the carburetors. I was always told that they're sealed because of the government. Let me say this about the set I purchased from Amazon. For the price the quality of those screwdrivers is unbelievable. I can honestly say I don't know how they are able to stay in business selling them at such a ridiculous price. My only complaint was with packaging. Every one of the screwdrivers which I purchased the 10 pack were all wrapped up in individual little baggies. I felt as far as the environment and recycling that was a little too much. I know that they don't want them banging against one another in transit but I would say they could come up with something better. I had a nice little pile of plastic once I filled up my case. Like always I did enjoy your video and as always I made sure to hit the like button. Look forward to watching another video.

I had big trouble with gas powered , which led me to start buying premixed fuel. I've learned a lot from tearing them up. 😁😁. I hope to successfully repairing one someday. 🤗🤗😂

I have a carburetor off a trashpicked weedwacker with a dead ignition system. The bic pen didn't _quite_ work, but the larger "gamebit" bit in my chinese screwdriver set worked a bit better.

I was just given a poulan P1500 in really good shape. It just needs a rebuild kit wich cost 35$ and it will be like new again.

Nice idea. Most weed whackers I work on have the old walbro carbs that have 1 flathead adjustment screw . Why they changed it I don't understand.

Nice tip to use a pen. I had not seen that before. Good job brother.

I wish mine had the exposed screws like this one. It has a Walbro barrel style newer carb. The high speed is buried under the primer bulb and takes a “micro d” tool that I was very lucky to find. The low speed is on top of the barrel like usual but I almost didn’t see it because it is very small and just looked like a brass plug.

I jave two trimmers one which wont start. The other has the same issue you had. I bet this will fix both. I ordered a $10 toolkit off amazon. I’’m post another comment after.

You can use a piece of fuel line for the same bodge. It's tricky but will get you out of a pinch

Or you clean the spark arrestor if that doesn't work and adjust the carb if that doesn't work throw in the trash because it will need a carb you can check amazon

Great info. Question, can a bad coil stop the engine from powering up.?? Is not advancing.. ?? Same symptoms.. No adjustment on these carbs. Can get to low, not the High. Thinking coil is not advancing. What ya know. ??

Yes I’ve thrown out several because they wouldn’t run. Now after watching this video I regret it. I almost threw out a Stihl but I’m glad I didn’t. After a few adjustments it’s going strong.

I have the same one. I hope you have more videos.

I was skeptical about the pen use. But my wife "donated" a Bic. I slightly ground down the side of the plastic pen tube to fit easier into the carb. Unbelievable - I now runs excellent after about half a turn on both. Frustration GONE!

Yes someone did and I got the weed eater off side the road and it ran

Genius. Trying the pen trick.

Works. You rock!

I picked up a basically new looking ryobi that runs but dies. Paid $5 . Using your lesson to adjust it tomorrow

FML I recently got rid off mine an it was doing the same now I have a homelite straight shaft that I'm semi rebuilding off to Bunnings tomorrow new primer bulb sparkerlater plug an grease an then will have a new best hahah

Finally found a fix with this video. Thank you!!

I have a Ryobi and this is recently the problem I had with it after switching the bubble.

Pretty much the same symptom is a broken gas line in the tank .I would try to pick up the screen first look to see if the line didn't rot off if the lines are Ok then by all means adjust the carb but it your putting 87 ethanol gas in it chances are the gas lines are shot

Thank you for the video !! Can turning the L screw too much make it run lean ??

Hey man I just learned something a big thumbs to you I will remember that one

Genius. Worked like a charm.

Never t6hrew anything away but maybe gave away after a fix and the pen is a GOOD idea! Blessings

The Featherlite is a great weedeater, - they are Poulan - Husqvarna based if you trace back far enough, and a very good performer. I have 2 here in New Zealand. One of them is having the exact symptons as on this video and I have tried this same procedure as well as clean spark arrestor but makes no difference. Will try a carb kit next, although carb looks good inside.

Thanks for your help I have same issue in effco hedge trimmer TG2650xp Very difficult adjustment urgent make video for this brand 🙏

My last 2 new ones out of the box I had trouble with...one or two uses and the same schit...going back to electrics and buying a new one if it pukes on me....I Think thats the whole industry...my first weed eater from Menards lasted 8 years....the ethanol in fuel should be outlawed....tried making my own e-free gas but it got real messy and lots of byproduct. The ready mix fuel was about 7 bucks a quart then...not sure what it costs now...

The idea is good, but you don't show which screw you are adjusting, what direction you turned it or how much

It worked! Thank you!

I’m about to throw away 2 trimmers because of this problem. I hope it works 😩 if not I got to go buy a new one ((again))

Pen trick is pretty cool. Thanks.

I have this same trimmer it will idol whith the choke on and will not take eney fuel only idol put when you take the joke off it shuts of completely.what can I do I have 4 of these that different folks gave me pretty much same problem.all help would sure be appreciated

Awesome video and informative. What does the black pin carburetor screw adjust? Thank you

I tried adjusting the carb screws-didn't help! Took the carb apart and inspected, blew it out-didn't help! Put in a new spark plug-didn't help much! Are there points and condenser on this model of weedeater?

I trash pick trimmers, replace the rotten fuel lines and rebuild the carburetors and scavange parts off them. I've been running the same trimmer for 30 years now, lol.

Thanks dor the video man! Mine kinda do the same thing but mine idles and if I go slowly with the trigger it works but if I do it fast it dies

Working on tuning up an FL25C right now. CanadianTire sells fuel lines in a kit but I need to go back and get another 8" or so of 3/16" (the 1/8" isn't tight enough for the primer-bubble return line back into the gas tank. I'll definitely be trying the Bic Pen adjustment as I don't have the splined tool you refer to. Thanks and will let you know if I can get it working again.

Use an exacto knife to trim the inside of the pen for a better fit.

I have a weed eater every time I use it It dies after 10 -15 mins.and the motor is so hot can see smoke in spark plug,Thats why I can’t finish my lawn.

Same as a Stihl dolmar

I wonder if the access vibration would cause the L and H screws to move slightly. Most cases is that true?

This is a awesome tip fixed mine in about 10 minutes thanks

bought one for $20 yesterday with this issue, husband thinks carb is dirty though, my daughter will try to fix it

Now there is a useful hack!

Yes I had 2 brand new troy-built trimmers that I could not get running through one away and gave the other one away

This machine looks just like my mcculloch but different color,mine has on/off switch above the throttle lever,i've heard that mcculloch arent very good ? & most ppl say theyr'e crap,never had any problems with it so far 😊😊

Saw this right after ordering the tool lol

What needs done if you have to keep it at full throttle or it will die?

Awesome thanks I'll try it

I have the same set of those carburator adjustment tools great video thanks

Hey can u help me to adjust the valve on a cub cadet push mower 173cc /6.76 ft-lbs OHV thanks

I have a echo gt225 weed eater and the bulb won't suck in gas can the plastic white peace be bad

No but want to use my featherlite as a outboard for my mini boat....can I add a clutch and what kind to my featherlite...

Wouldn't though it away l would fix it and enjoying your videos

This is the same problem I'm having with my chainsaw. It idles fine but doesn't rev. I'll screw with the carb when the parts I ordered come in

Get the right mixture tool. It lasts longer. Keep it on you while you do yards to adjust the mixture as needed.

Works awesome cheers

I have the exact opposite problem with my weed eater could this fix that too

I've thrown out a trimmer for looking at me the wrong way.

Nop.i haven't truthfully. I would clean out the carburetor.& Replace the bad parts inside of them.& Adjust the carburetor to. Just to end up finding out it's poor quality fuel was actually the problem.& One of the main reasons.& Cause of it all to. Do you moisture build up inside of the fuel tank. That has built up over long periods vof setting time.,or just bad batches of fuel altogether for the beginning straight out of the gas station fuel tank.& Pumps.

had this problem , along with fuel issue. seems to run out of fuel. checked lines ,ok replaced carb, ran better, adjusted mixture screws, and started to act the same way as it did befor I replaced the carb, what did I do wrong??

It uses gasoline or gasoline + oil ? thanks u

Why the custom screw head anyway? Prevent idiots (example: me) from screwing the adjusts up?

I feel like such an idiot now I threw one away because of that exact reason

Does that Brand trimmers head always spin? I have one I’m repairing and before I rip the clutch apart I wanted to see, it sounded like in the video the head on this one was constantly spinning too

Yes I have

Mine has seized any suggestions on how to unseize it.?

I have a trimmer with a walbro carb..After running for 20 mins or so the adjusting screws vibrate inwards..then starts to bog down..then a quarter turn out on both screws and its fine again for about another 20 mins of run time, until they vibrate in again..I've been carrying the adjuster tool with me..any ideas on a correction? or than a carb change?Thanks

Many thanks bro

I'd like to find how to make the string recoil???

Hi can you plz tell me where I can buy parts in South Africa in Pretoria for my sthil bush cutter I need piston ring and carburetor gasket