2 cycle engine question... FIXED!

Filter was either clogged from actual filtering, or got varnished over. I don't think there's a check valve in them to get stuck.

Good Deal!

I think the problem could be, leaking crankshaft seals! Had the same problem in an outboard motor , two cycle engines need internal back pressure to load cylinders , that is why it idles but will not accelerate.

west,
What this incident with the blower convinced me of is that some times it is cheaper to have someone else fix things. I always keep a spare plug on hand, we raced 2-stroke MX bikes in the late 60s & 70s. If you need another part you have to drive over and get it. If anyone has it in stock! This is a big issue where I live. I will stick to fixing my cars, tractors and mowers but leave the little engined stuff to the local repair shop. I would not open my tool box for $36.00 why do I want to open it now to save $36.00.

randallb wrote:
My Echo blower was always cold blooded and sounded lazy. Eventually it got worse and after replacing the lines, filter and rebuilding the carb I was no farther along. With out the gauge it is very difficult to set the needle height. 40 years in the automotive repair business and out smarted by a 2 stroke. I took it to my local repair shop and had them go through it. Best $36.00 I ever spent and it included a carb kit and rebuild. No frustration and a blower that works better than ever. Took my chainsaw to them which also cost $36.00. For what it costs for them to run through these units I will never mess with them again. By the time I factor in my time to mess with them, the cost of parts, carb cleaner and everything else involved it is cheaper and easier to drop these tools off and pick them up when SMC is done with them.
Randy

I had a chainsaw with a hair-pulling problem I couldn't fix. Took it to the local Stihl repair shop and they had it up and running in minutes. Cause: bad plug.

I have certificates on the wall and all the tools a guy could need but sometimes a different perspective is a good solution. :W

My Echo blower was always cold blooded and sounded lazy. Eventually it got worse and after replacing the lines, filter and rebuilding the carb I was no farther along. With out the gauge it is very difficult to set the needle height. 40 years in the automotive repair business and out smarted by a 2 stroke. I took it to my local repair shop and had them go through it. Best $36.00 I ever spent and it included a carb kit and rebuild. No frustration and a blower that works better than ever. Took my chainsaw to them which also cost $36.00. For what it costs for them to run through these units I will never mess with them again. By the time I factor in my time to mess with them, the cost of parts, carb cleaner and everything else involved it is cheaper and easier to drop these tools off and pick them up when SMC is done with them.
Randy

That's good to hear. Thanks for the update.

Fuel filter was the issue. I pulled it out of the tank carefully with a hook wire and replaced it with the one from the kit. Put it back in and it started right up and runs solid at low or high RPM. I appreciate the help everyone!!!!

It looks like Echo makes a tune up kit with the gas filter. I saw a video on YouTube where you use a coat hanger wire with a hook to just pull out the filter through the gas fill hole so I'll try replacing the filter next and see what happens.

There should be a filter in the tank on one of the lines. Google 'gas tank weighted filter'. I'm not sure how hard it is to remove the grommet.

I went ahead and started it back up which took some work (pulling that cord probably 15 times).

Loosening the gas cap doesn't reveal any pressure and with the gas cap removed it will still die so that doesn't seem to affect it.

Adjusting the choke does not help either, setting it like you would use it to start a cold engine just chokes and kills the engine more quickly.

There are two tubes coming out of the top of the gas tank through some sort of grommet. They have a plastic curly strip keeping them together and go right to the carb. Is the filter for the gas inside? Is it easy to pull that grommet out?

Thanks,

Alan