Fixing A Bolens Trimmer That Won't Start

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Fuel Filter. amzn.to/4aVQg1y
Compression tester. amzn.to/2NMgeze
Spark Checker. amzn.to/3bnXjmA
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Thanks for watching. This is not my favorite trimmer to work on and the reason is pretty obvious, it's upside down.

[@liljoeii6091]

I have the same weed wacker your video was so good I had to watch it twice thank you for the video

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are correct, these are really good trimmers!

[@matthewpiper1421]

Id rather have my echo over that any day, nice fix, though👍👍

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed!

[@robertbaysinger1309]

Lol, a friend just gave me this exact trimmer . Haven't dug into it yet but perfect timing.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

if It's like this one, you're in for a lot of work

[@covishen]

I'm not a big MTD fan but as long as it works I'm happy.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed

[@robertmailhos8159]

You definitely always have a great selection of yard care equipment to get up and running again I h.g/ h.g

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE you are welcome I.h.g

[@stevepelino5986]

I agree… you make this look easy!! I have a Poulan Pro pole saw with this style engine/fuel tank. Definitely not my favorite. In fact I really dislike it. But I’ve had it for 20 years so why get rid of it now…Thank you for sharing your video

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem and thank you for watching!

[@999thenewman]

Great job. With the new carburetor you'll likely feel better.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I hope so!

[@ccmotorshed]

Love your video

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you I appreciate it.

[@robertwilliams3983]

I've got a trimmer like that I've never had any luck with getting it to run. It was given to me. I'd never buy one with the fuel tank above the motor.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

it's certainly not for everyone

[@scrapyardengines9741]

I’ve seen about every brand of these upside down engines, yard man, cub cadet, Ryobi, lawn boy, craftsman, yard machines, Bolens, Troy bilt

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

they certainly made quite a lot of them.

[@Patrick4959]

yep it,s a good design for sure and it makes re-filling or re-fuelling the engine much easier plus you don,t have to tilt it or have it on a surface for it i find from my view etc plus even the older Ryobi Grass Trimmers find have the same set up etc.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

refueling is one thing, but the service is another. Besides, most consumers will probably never service their own and will never know the struggles with it.

[@Patrick4959]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE yes for sure and as for me yep i,d service one of these no worries.

[@jwayne777]

🎉 Nice video Mr. Hg I think I've commented on this style of weed eater before you've had it on your program but I think that the top mount is inconvenient I think that's why they straight away from that style but the quality of that weed eater motor is fantastic

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

completely agree

[@garofalo1707]

I think that trimmer was dropped on it's head when it was a baby. Good fix as usual.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you

[@hairamrivera5802]

I bought one at lowes for 90 dollars. It was perfect since i had just bought my house and needed lawn equipment

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice purchase

[@jackblack2557]

Set the fuel screw to wide open throttle and then adjust the idle screw to that fuel setting is what I have to do with an old Ryobi 2 stroke multi attachment

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

not sure if that'll work with this one.

[@HoSsKaT]

I haven't seen one like that in a long time. I used to flip trimmers. Those never sold well . I usually ended up giving them away . I'll still take a homelite if I find a deal but would probably pass on those.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I feel the same way, in fact, I'm not sure how I'm going to sell this one.

[@rickthelian2215]

I have the Green ones in Australia simular to Ryobi older models😊

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

do you like it?

[@rickthelian2215]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE yes have attachments for Ryobi split shaft so I like them for that reason, but I have picked up a few Borlands which are basically a copy of the Ryobi but mine straight shaft from memory, can’t remember till I look if they are split shaft or one piece. A change but I usually just use my Stihl FS85 or Combi Km55

[@Matt47207]

I've always found the design of those trimmers interesting, but I don't know how I feel about the upside down engine, but if I found one for really good price I would buy it

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I find these for free a lot , and half the time, I don't bother to pick them up.

[@seantheenthusiast9234]

I used to have one of these and the engine arrangement made me nervous to use the machine. I was always worried about it leaking fuel all over the hot components like the muffler.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are correct, this is also my main concern

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I can't remember running a trimmer with a tank on top BUT if that was what I had...............you guessed it. Blessings

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE 10/4!

[@WJCTechyman]

I'm not a fan of the fuel tank on top either and most of my trimmers had or have the fuel tank below the engine.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

I am not a fan of "top tank" weedeaters either. The fuel lines and path out of the tank are 100% under the fuel and it feels like they are designed to leak.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

And the gas boils out of them when it gets over 400 degrees outside or maybe inside!

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@lewiemcneely9143 400 is only if you leave it in direct sunlight. 🤣 You are right about fuel, as it warms, it expands, and that creates leaks all over the place

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@GuysPlayingWithTools I forgot it's 350 or 75 if inside. I get more forgetful the more I wake up and 10/4 on the bubbling fuel foaming type ogers. They strike in the most sensitive areas. NO mercy.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed

[@Turningwrenches85]

Not a big fan of that one either because of the fuel tank and how the lines have to go under the tank instead of being up like it should be, i know, some like them , but my opinion on that one

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I really like the engine, if only I could turn it right side up!

[@braidenlentz2790]

Does this one have that EZ start spring assist? I have a troybilt that looks just like this one.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no it doesn't

[@kirbyvanduzer6565]

I like trimmers that have the clutch so that when the trimmer is idling the string part isn’t moving its safer it’s an ok trimmer I prefer my trimmer mower over that trimmer any day if I had to have a holding trimmer I prefer an echo they are just better quality but I just like my trimmer mower because I don’t have to hold it and it’s got more power it’s got a 190cc Briggs flat head it’s a good engine with a ton of power the only thing I don’t like about my trimmer mower is the strings aren’t very durable so they shear off easily when you trim the fence line and the strings are expensive but I don’t need to trim the fence line anymore and we found a cheaper more durable string type bolens ain’t a bad brand that trimmer is just a weird design

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you make a great point, having the trimmer head spin all the time is really annoying

[@Ginothemanwithaplan-jl1tr]

Question for you. I have a Husqvarna leaf blower that kept bogging down so I cleaned the carb and changed the fuel lines now I can’t get it to start at all. Do you think I just need a new carb?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes, and I also think the engine is flooded now

[@Ginothemanwithaplan-jl1tr]

Thanks for your help! It definitely was flooded, finally got it to start after 10 pulls off check with full throttle but still can’t get it to run smoothly, so I’m just going to replace carb

[@Bottldiggerofnz]

I have just been given a hole load of weed eaters and mowers and I’ve got to that look similar to this I think they are Ryobi

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes they are the from the same manufacturer

[@Bottldiggerofnz]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE nice I’m pretty sure one is from the early 2000s

[@Andrew-xs6td]

I bought one from Lowes and the problem is if I run it full throttle for 10 minutes and then restart it doesn't start until the engine cool down. It ronly restarts if I haven't used it full throttle

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

interesting problem. How much oil are you mixing with the gasoline?

[@Andrew-xs6td]

50:1. But I recently discovered that the fuel filter isn't reaching the bottom of the tank when I turn it on its side to edge so I won't let fuel go below half of tank

[@tempusveritas8901]

I will never buy another bent shaft Trimmer. My Stihl FS45 taught me that lesson. Great engine . Poor head design but Ok for winter use .

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thanks for sharing

[@BADD400]

I agree with you I do not like this style weed wacker

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you for agreeing

[@GinoZizza]

It looks upside down. 😂

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

sure does

[@robertbove5769]

Please help. I have a problem finding a carb for my very old Ryobi brush cutter/trimmer. This probably isn't the place to ask my questions so how do i contact you to provide you with my issues

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you can do it here. Just tell me what the model and serial number is and I should be able to find it.

[@robertbove5769]

Thanks, you are the best. And thank you for replying to my issue so quickly. My Ryobi trimmer is almost 20 years old. You'd think I should just get a new trimmer but I have all the other attachments such as the brush cutter, string trimmer, edger, and tiller. I assume I can't use these attachments on other brand's heads. My model number is a BC30 model number RY30004A. I think the carb for this is 308054003 carburetor for Ryobi bc30 RY30004A but this is what I am not sure of. I also need a universal or replacement fuel cap for my Powersmart 25.4cc trimmer model #PS4532 . My cap is cracked and leaks

[@robertbove5769]

I realized that I didn't give you the serial number which is S/N AG2390571 08-04. I hope you can tell me what carburetor I need to get for my Ryobi and also what gas cap fits my Powersmart trimmer model PS4532. I thought I sent this info earlier but I didn't see it in the comment section so forgive me if you received this info twice

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed If you have the attachments definitely try to keep the trimmer going

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

here's the link amzn.to/3VacU1d

[@zyplex1]

neighbor gave same trimmer , rebranded to yard works, biggest POS i've ever worked on. Ended up buying a new carb, and replacement carb comes with both high and low adjustments, it was the only way to get her running and fuel dripping issue fixed. But no i would never spend my money on over head fuel tank trimmer, stupid design.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

they certainly have their issues

[@Wontonton3]

Where do you work that you have 999+ coworkers

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I wish I could tell you but I'm contracted not to speak about it

[@christophermarshall5765]

That trimmer looks dangerous.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know what you mean

[@badtothebonefanrock1250]

They are mine cought on fire when i was changing fuel lines

[@SHOINOFF]

I bet you spent about $2 in gas as well.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I put about 8 ounces of fuel into it,

[@SHOINOFF]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE in this day in age, about $1 lol

[@ethanmiller3935]

I dont like this design at all, and I would try to pass it down the line as quick as I can without working on it and without any guarantee that it works. Even if that means it goes in the hopper. If I fix it and sell it, all that has to happen is another part of that engineering brilliance to fail then it is back and people might question your abilities. Not worth my reputation for a tool designed too be a thrown away.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you Make a great point