June 01, 2016

Tips for a hard-to-start grass line trimmer

Tips for a hard-to-start grass line trimmer.
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.

Symptoms for gas line trimmers

Choose a symptom to see related grass line trimmer repairs.

Main causes: stale fuel, cracked fuel lines, dirty carburetor, bad spark plug, worn piston rings…

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Repair guides for gas line trimmers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your grass line trimmer.

How to rebuild a line trimmer carburetor

How to rebuild a line trimmer carburetor

If the line trimmer engine won't start even though there's fuel in the tank, the carburetor could be the problem. Follow…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a line trimmer carburetor

How to replace a line trimmer carburetor

If the line trimmer won't start even though there's fuel in the tank, the carburetor could be the problem. Follow these …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a line trimmer fuel line

How to replace a line trimmer fuel line

The fuel line on a grass line trimmer deteriorates with time and eventually can split or crack. You can replace it yours…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Articles and videos for gas line trimmers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your grass line trimmer.

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Grass line trimmer maintenance checklist

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Find out how to take care of your grass line trimmer from the start of the trimming season until the end, with this help…