How to replace fuel lines in your Echo gas line trimmer
- Wear work gloves to protect your hands and disconnect the spark plug wire.
- In a well-ventilated area, remove the fuel cap and empty the fuel tank into an approved storage container.
- Fish the fuel filter out of the tank using a pair of needle-nosed pliers or a straightened wire clothing hanger with a hook formed on the end. Pull the fuel filter off the end of the fuel line.
- Make a diagram or take a picture of how the fuel lines are configured between the tank and the carburetor. Remove the fuel lines from the carburetor using a pair of needle-nose pliers.
- Pull the old fuel lines out of the tank. If necessary, use needle-nose pliers to grip the lines. If you can't pull the lines out, cut the lines flush with the tank. The use a small screwdriver to push the rest of the lines into the tank. Tip the trimmer and shake any fuel line pieces out of the tank.
- Cut the ends of the new fuel lines at an angle so that they're easier to thread into the tank. Force the cut ends of the fuel lines into the proper holes of the tank, using needle-nose pliers if necessary. Push the smaller fuel supply line into the tank far enough so that the fuel filter will lay on the bottom of the tank. Fish the smaller line out of the tank and cut the end of it square. Install the fuel filter onto the end of that fuel line and drop it into the tank.
- Using your diagram or digital photograph for reference, reconnect the fuel lines to the carburetor.
- Reconnect the spark plug wire to the spark plug.
What to do when your Echo gas line trimmer won't start
The engine needs gas, compression and spark in order to start. First, make sure there's fresh gas in the tank-old gas accumulates water and burns poorly. Replace the fuel if it's old. Add fuel stabilizer to the gas when you refill the tank to help keep the fuel fresh.
If the fuel is fresh, check the fuel lines for cracks. Air enters the carburetor instead of fuel when the fuel lines have cracks. Replace the fuel lines if you find cracks in the lines. If the fuel lines are okay, you may need to rebuild or replace the carburetor because a dirty carburetor won't supply the engine with fuel.
Next, disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug. If you see deposits or corrosion on the electrodes, replace the spark plug.
Finally, to check for compression, remove the spark plug, press your thumb over the opening and pull the starter cord. If you don't feel air pushing from the cylinder, it's likely that the piston rings need to be replaced (for an accurate compression reading, use a compression gauge).