Lawn & garden equipment parts

Troubleshooting common lawn & garden equipment failures

• Line trimmer won't start. When you can't start your line trimmer engine, make sure the tank has fuel and that the fuel is fresh; stale fuel can become watery and doesn’t ignite well. 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. 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.

• Mixing 2-cycle fuel for your chainsaw. Thoroughly mix the proper ratio of gasoline with 2-cycle engine oil to keep your chainsaw engine running smoothly. Don't mix the oil and gas directly in the fuel tank; instead use a separate gas can to mix the proper ratio. To mix a 40:1 ratio used in many chainsaw engines, add 3.2 fluid ounces of 2-cycle oil to 1 gallon of gasoline.

• Pressure washer has weak spray. Check the inlet screen for a clog that could be blocking inlet water flow. A problem with the wand or pressure hose also can cause low nozzle pressure. Clean or replace the wand if necessary. Replace the pressure hose if it's clogged. A pump failure can cause low nozzle pressure. Replace the pump check valves or replace the entire pump if it doesn't build up adequate spray pressure. A stuck unloader valve also can cause low pressure at the nozzle. Replace the unloader valve if it sticks open and constantly recirculates water back to the pump inlet.

• Snowblower won't throw snow far enough. If your snowblower isn't clearing pavement well, first turn off the snowblower and clear any snow that's built up in the chute. A clogged chute won't throw snow very far. If the chute isn't clogged, check the augers and auger drive system. A damaged auger blade can't push snow through the shoot, and broken shear pins keep sections of the auger from spinning. A worn, stretched auger belt won't spin the auger fast enough to throw snow off the pavement, so replace the auger belt if it's worn.

Common replacement parts for lawn & garden equipment

• Cutting line. Sears PartsDirect has cutting line available to fit any type of line trimmer. Select bulk spools for heavy use or choose a pre-wound spool for convenience. We carry replacement cutting line for line trimmers made by major manufacturers such as Craftsman, Toro, Weed Eater, Husqvarna and Snapper.

• Carburetors. The carburetor blends air with fuel to form a combustible mixture that ignites in the cylinder to drive the piston in lawn & garden products. If the carburetor is clogged or damaged, the engine runs rough or won’t start. Replace the carburetor if clogged or damaged.

• Edger blades. Check edger cutting blades often to make sure they're sharp and intact. Replace any dull, damaged or bent blades before using the equipment.