Forum Discussion

alank2's avatar
alank2
Explorer
Jul 17, 2016

2 cycle engine question... FIXED!

Hi Everyone,

I've got an echo packback blower and it has been running for a couple of years now without trouble until the last few months. It has developed a problem that it will run at low idle only. If you turn up the throttle it will stall out. When it stalls out it smells like a rich gas mixture. You can start it back up and it will run on low idle for a few minutes.

I am using some stabil double treated fuel that is only about a year old. It runs fine in the weed-eater.

Any ideas of what I can start with on it?
  • Snowman9000's avatar
    Snowman9000
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2016
    The carb needs to be cleaned. If you use fresh gas with some Seafoam or something like that, you might get lucky and get it cleaned out without removing it. I like Sta-Bil Marine for that purpose. I've found it works even better than Seafoam. None of them work instantly. You have to run it for a few minutes, let it sit for a couple of days, run it again, let it sit, etc., until it clears up.
  • romore's avatar
    romore
    Explorer II
    Jul 17, 2016
    There are no reeds in that engine, it is piston ported. It is a good idea to check the exhaust ports and spark arrestor screen in the muffler but those problems don't happen overnight, there will be a gradual loss of performance. It sounds more like a fuel starvation issue.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2016
    Put in the proper fuel mix. Pull the exhaust off and check for a carboned up exhaust port. It's never going to run correctly if the port is plugged. It's very common and should be the first thing checked on 2 stroke equipment especially if poor grade oil or too much oil is used. A lot of low speed running also contributes to it.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 17, 2016
    Reeds are the valves, in-between the carb and the crankcase, same principle as a flap valve in an old water pump at the well
    They can gum up and stick, not allowing fuel to get to the cylinder
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2016
    For a quick and dirty fix, you could try taking off the fuel line and spraying carb cleaner directly into the carburetor. Let it sit a few minutes, and then hook the line back up, and use fresh fuel.

    For my small engines, I buy pure gas, treat it was Stabil, and only use it for the season. New fuel for the next season.
  • alank2's avatar
    alank2
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2016
    The gas was treated the day I bought it. What is a sticky reed?
  • alank2's avatar
    alank2
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2016
    fj12ryder wrote:
    Maybe try some extra strength carb cleaner.


    Any recommendation? I've got some stuff called "lucas upper cylinder lubricant" laying around...
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2016
    alank2 wrote:


    I am using some stabil double treated fuel that is only about a year old. It runs fine in the weed-eater.



    Too much stabilizer can be as bad as none at all.
    Putting in twice as much will NOT allow you to use fuel twice as old.

    Your symptoms sound like sticky reeds.
    Flushing it out with carb cleaner and then putting in fresh gas might help but it might need a quick dis-assembly and cleaning and fresh reeds.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Jul 17, 2016
    Sounds like the carb needs cleaning due to a clogged jet. Maybe try some extra strength carb cleaner.

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