Tips for a hard-to-start grass line trimmer

When your line trimmer is difficult to start, here are a few easy steps to try before you start tearing it apart.

• Make sure the on/off switch is set to on.

• Make sure the fuel tank has clean, fresh gas in it.

• It's possible the engine has flooded with fuel. To fix this, place the choke lever in the off position, hold the throttle trigger fully open and pull the starter rope 5 or 6 times to clear the engine carburetor of excess fuel.

• On models that have a primer bulb, press and release the bulb two times. This removes air in the fuel lines and puts fuel into the carburetor.

• Activate the choke by moving the lever to the full choke position and pull the starter rope 3 or 4 times.

• If the engine has not started, move the choke lever to half choke and pull the starter rope, 6 times maximum.

• If the engine still won't start, the problem could be a faulty spark plug, fuel line or carburetor. See our DIY page for repair procedures for these symptoms.