Official McCulloch lawn edger parts

How to fix your McCulloch lawn edger when its engine won't start

• When you can't start your edger, make sure the tank has fuel and that the fuel is fresh; stale fuel can become watery and won't ignite well.
• Tune up the edger's engine to give it the best chance of starting.
• Check the spark plug and replace it if it's covered with oil or other deposits.
• If you can't pull the starter rope, check for a hydraulic lock of the piston. Remove the spark plug and pull the starter rope to see if the recoil starter spins the engine. If it does, then oil likely filled the cylinder when you tipped the edger sideways or backwards. Reinstall the spark plug and try starting the engine. The engine may smoke as it burns off oil inside the cylinder then the engine may run smoothly.
• Replace the engine safety switch or the ignition coil if the spark plug isn't getting current through the ignition system.
• The engine won't start if you hit a rock or stump and shear off the flywheel key, so replace the flywheel key if it's broken.
• Carburetor problems often prevent an edger engine from starting. Replace or rebuild the carburetor if it's clogged.

Fixing your McCulloch lawn edger when its engine runs rough

When your lawn edger engine cuts out, smokes, idles poorly, vibrates or runs erratically, it could need a good tune-up to replace the spark plug, oil and air filter. Or the problem could be with the lawn edger's fuel system. Rebuild or replace the carburetor if the engine isn't getting a good supply of fuel.

If the engine misfires, backfires, sputters or jerks the starter rope out of your hand when you try to start it, the flywheel key could be broken. A broken flywheel key disrupts the ignition timing because the magnets aren't passing the ignition coil in synchronization with piston movement. Replace the flywheel key if it's damaged or broken.