alank2 wrote:
Sorry about the late follow up, but it was indeed the fuel filter. I bought an echo tune up kit that came with a fuel filter/air filter/spark plug. I replaced only the fuel filter and it started up and runs strong. Should I also change the air filter/spark plug or leave well enough alone until something else happens?
It seems to me that well enough is well enough at this point. You could always take out the existing air cleaner and plug and inspect them; most faults with them should be pretty readily visible. But in as much as it's running well and apparently starting easily, there's no reason to suspect a bad plug or significantly dirty/damaged air filter.