Fixing A Homelite Trimmer That Won't Start

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

I like the straight shaft version of this one, it's super light and will run as long as you take care of it

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes, that's coming up soon, thanks for the comment

[@lewiemcneely9143]

My old Homelite was the only trimmer I used for a long time and it did just fine. If they work, they work or can be made to work again.Thanks and Blessings

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nothing wrong with a working Homelite!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE RIGHT!

[@Nukemann64]

Absolutely id keep an old homelite for a backup trimmer. I actually have multiple old homelites as backups lol. They're great little trimmers! Awesome repair as usual IHG!! ❤

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

these are actually really good engines, just wish this was a straight shaft

[@Nukemann64]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE yeah I never tried out the "trim lite" ones. They came out in a weird spot between John Deere owning Homelite, and before the Chinese company bought them out. I'd always see them at like big lot's or a discount store. Haha

[@blsphotobls5216]

Yes,it is good to have a homelite trimmer for 40 bucks for stock!!!! I have a homelite chainsaw for stock. It is 25 years old and is still working good!!! Thanks for video from Greece!!!!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you bls photobls

[@AdmiralDG]

I have my dads old one(same model) had to replace the fuel lines as you did, then it ran just fine. The issue is, the line wont feed properly and snaps off at the eyelet for some reason. Im thinking a new head is needed, since its heavily worn(holes in the bump button from wear). Not a bad backup trimmer otherwise, cuts fine when it holds line. I wanted it so I didnt have to convert my straight shaft trimmer back from brush cutting blade to string constantly. Good video!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you AdmiralDG.

[@brianking1138]

I think a lot of people would be happy with a working trimmer for $40. Curved shaft is fine for small yards.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know I would

[@bob9483]

Thanks, I’ve been using a badly running similar trimmer for years, your video will help me try to fix it. Never opened a 2 strokes carb

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you Bob and good luck

[@bob9483]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE did it this weekend. New needle on the old pivot seemed to flood the engine. Went back with the old one and it works fine now

[@kevinguillen4548]

This video was very helpful. My Lifan weed trimmer started, but it would lose power and shut down. Lately it just wouldn't start. I took out the fuel filter and saw that it looked very crusty and the supply line inside was in pieces. I changed the fuel filter, supply line(hose) and return. Now it start perfectly and no loss of power.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you and nice work fixing it!

[@RussellHoughton]

Those little homelite trimmer are great. I've fixed a sold 3 this year. I think if there were treated like a more expensive trimmer buy there owners they would last just as long.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are correct, these are not bad at all.

[@robertmehlfelderbob]

The name Homelite was the premier name for any or all small engine appliances back in the '60's and '70's. Too bad they lost that reputation along the way!!!!

[@robertmehlfelderbob]

Stihl now has that reputation and from what I hear their products are marginal at best!!!

[@jesterr7133]

Get one of those $80 Harbor Freight ultrasonics. I have one, and it does just fine on stuff like this. You are correct about cleaning them first, but I have a better success rate when I use mine.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes that's the plan

[@timasling8711]

Fun fact. Here in Australia our ryobi trimmers use the exact same engine as this. Just different plastics.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you for letting us know

[@AnthonyFrancisJones]

Excellent! Just bought a second-hand one of these Homelite 2020 and it seems to be OK.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks for sharing and these are nicer than most realize!

[@secretninjawarrior]

Had my homelite sx-135 since 1993. 25yrs....had to clean/carb out 2nd time.....that was just this weekend . I bought a craftman and ryobi to get more power and found they dont start as easily and they are heavier.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you bring up a good point

[@AtomicReverend]

You are right where I was thinking. 40-50 bucks is about what I think it would sell for running here in California

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you The Atomic Reverend

[@antonioalvarez2357]

Hello, thank you for this video. What to do when the carburetor overflows with gasoline? My trimmer won't start.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

sure, I make it simple and just replace the carb. Otherwise, you'll get a headache trying to fix the carb from leaking.

[@NickMcGrew.]

Great video, can i have your opinion on something I run all my equipment on fuel with a stabilizer in it but people always tell me to run can fuel but I don’t want to run that because it’s just so expensive and Even if I did run can fuel i think it is a wast of money because a gallon of the stuff runs 20 to 30 dollars and that is the same amount as a new carburetor, but do you think people should run caned gas for just use the pump

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thank you Nick Mcgrew for the question. I would alway suggest running pump gas with an "ethanol shield" additive all year long. But I'd also like to recommend using canned fuel during the last month of the season, just on the off chance you for get to run the machine dry.

[@Turningwrenches85]

I'm not a big fan of the curved shaft trimmers but if push came to shove and I didn't have one I couldn't find a Straight Shaft one then would have to use it, great fix on that homelite

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I hear ya, they can certainly make your back or neck hurt

[@hih564]

Thank you for what you do! What is the difference with lithium grease vs. WD-40?

[@marshmower]

Now days, wd 40 is a brand. WD40 has cod liver oil I think. Lithium spray grease dries and leaves a solid layer that is resistant to water and prevents corrosion. WD40 is thinner and seeps into rusted parts making them easier to remove.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

lithium is thicker and stays in place

[@marshmower]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE it's the go to for battery terminals. Especially if you have any modern zinc or nickel/copper thin and crispy battery terminals. Nissan or Toyota. The leaking battery is the culprit to be honest. But stuff happens......

[@TKC_]

Lithium grease is more like peanut butter consistency and is sticky. Wd40 is thinner than water. Lithium grease being sticky lubricates longer but collects dirt. Wd40 is a mild lubricant but doesn’t collect abrasives.

[@GlitchEmpireBrett]

I have about the same trimmer works good for me

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nothing wrong with it to be honest, just no my preference

[@whitetrash74]

It's worth 40 for sure and you're right I wouldn't buy it. I don't like curved shaft trimmers.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you and me both

[@casey6518]

Actually that's all I've ever used is a Homelite brand curved shaft trimmers since the mid 80's. Curved shaft trimmers are for someone shorter, I'm 5'3. I just bought an new Stihl curved shaft FS 40 C-E trimmer this evening because of too many bad reviews on the new Homelite trimmers now, quality just isn't there anymore for as the engines go it seems. My newest Homelite I've been using probably needs a new carb & lines & clean the carbon screen too, it's at least 10+ years old. It only seems to wanna run on about 1/3 to 1/2 choke.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

have you considered adjusting the carb to deliver more fuel?

[@casey6518]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Not really, my weed eater did sit almost 3 years without any use with fuel in the tank & carb, I'm guessing the old gas dried out the carb gaskets & etc! Or the screen in the muffler could be clog with carbon. I may order a new carb, line & fuel filter for the Homelite & use it for a backup.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I think you're right

[@michaeld223]

Great video! The only question I have is aren't the fuel mix screws different? That is my understanding and one of my screws has a groove in the middle of the screw head. Just saying so if anyone removes the screws they do not mix them up. Keep up the nice work!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

are you suggesting that the screw heads are different on the same carb? If so, i'v never seen that before they've both been the same, unless someone cut the head.

[@michaeld223]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Yes, I have a Homelite trimmer and one of the needle screws has a ring around the head of the screw. I didn't notice this right away but the tip of the screws looked slightly different. One of the points looked a bit bigger than the other. I have seen the ring around the head of one of the screws on other videos but haven't seen anyone point this out. The carb is a Ruixing carberator. Thanks friend!

[@unfundedopportunities7278]

What is an acceptable compression range for for these? Trimmers don't need as much power as blowers. Blowers are usually maxed out . The landscapers who cut my neighbor's yard use their trimmers at low speed.

[@M.TTT.]

thats actually not great for the trimmer, usually end up with more carbon build-up/soot, but maybe they just have newer/quieter units.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

they're using them at low speed probably because they're using backpacks, no need to go full speed on them.

[@unfundedopportunities7278]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE nope, they're hand held trimmers

[@christophermarshall5765]

We had Homelite here in Australia for a few years, then they disappeared.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I wonder what happened to them

[@brianandrews7099]

I wouldn’t buy it only because I already have a backup trimmer and my storage space is getting too tight as is my extra cash! I have never really had an issue with a curved shaft trimmer in my suburban lawn. If I had acreage to maintain, I might though. It seemed to be a nice little machine that wasn’t abused!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that makes sense

[@trevorbenes219]

I have a homelite that is older than that one and I put a full carb rebuild kit and it runs great and it doesn't have a clutch for the trimmer head does that one have a clutch

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice!

[@markluxton3402]

At 4:49...incorrect about those screens in the fuel pump section of carbs.. I have found a sludge, blond and white, as well as what "looks" like fine splinters in one saw. All this getting past decent looking lines and filters. This year I found this problem, more so than other years; as I only have regular gas locally, and I made the mistake of buying some 😞 I am not sure, exactly, where this sludge comes from. The filter material, or hose and/or gas degrading; or stuff that gets past the filters??? I do know, this was not from the filters or gas lines falling off. I maintain my own saws and trimmers and lawn mowers. This year nearly everything needed servicing. I will soon have that jug of regular gas used up :-)

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I hope you figure it out. As for the screen getting clogged, it has to be coming from the fuel past the filter.. there is no other explanation

[@unfundedopportunities7278]

Can NMMA TC-W3 Outboard 2 Cycle Engine Oil be used in these? It's what two-stroke snowblower owner's manuals call for. Supposed to be ashless. I use it in my Toro CCR 3650.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that I don't know for sure, since I've never tried.

[@TKC_]

I’d go for the carb cleaner after ultrasonic to get all the water out of it so wouldn’t worry about pre cleaning if my intent was ultrasonic. I’d really only use the ultrasonic as a tool of last resort though, like If regular cleaning doesn’t work and I didn’t want to wait for parts.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I see your point with it.

[@CuriousKL]

I like all your videos. They have provided me with a large amount of information. The comment you made in this video about a dish washer leads me to believe that you do not own a dish washer. You stated that all the dirt from the dishes goes back on to the dishes. Sorry, you're wrong. Cleaning the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher is stupid and wasteful. As for an ultrasonic cleaner; I do not own one but, I do know that they do a good job cleaning small parts. Just dropping a carb into an ultrasonic cleaner to clean it without taking it completely apart would be stupid in the first place. Ultrasonic cleaners are best used for other items. Cleaning a small engine carb does not really require that type of cleaning.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you Keith Dunbar, I do have a dishwasher but it really got thinking about it which was the point of the statement.

[@ramadinsookhoo6141]

Hey bro what's up? Repairing this trimmer was simple enough to where even a novice could have repaired it bro. I wouldn't mind having it as a back up trimmer but I have one problem with it that is the shaft. If it's a straight shaft no problem but the curved shaft is very troublesome for me to use bro.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you and me both!

[@samuelvelez1643]

I prefer straight shaft trimmers for longer reach areas

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed

[@inkster2586]

This is the exact model I had repaired and still use! I certainly wouldn’t use it in a professional setting but it trims our grass much faster and easier than our cordless black & decker that had a very short runtime! Also despite mine being two years older (April 2004) the carburetor adjustment screws had the plastic covers on them. Fortunately the screws are slotted so all I needed was a small flat blade screwdriver.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice, thank you for letting us know, and I also agree about the commercial use issue .

[@regularpit1508]

I got an old 4-stroke Troy-Bilt TB45C for free with gas in the oil and from what I was told oil was leaking out somewhere when it was last running. I was told it never ran smoothly since the first day so I'm debating if it is worth fixing it to give it to a family member that needs a light weight blower. Any ideas on how to fix it or just toss it. It was used very ligthly and has been in a barn for years since.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

If gasoline is in the oil, it means the carb was leaking into the engine. replace Carb, drain and replace the oil and you should be good

[@scrapyardengines9741]

How do you get the small stem diaphragms, I bought 2 different packs and they are all long stem

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I look for "metering diaphragms" and look at the pics to make sure it's a short one.

[@martindesmarais7158]

Did you ever tried Seafoam or other stuff like that with 2 stroke engines to decarbon piston ?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no

[@shericrouch1435]

What is good compression for an old weed eater

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'd like to see something over 90 PSI.

[@patrickbarham1762]

Hi mate I have a Mitsubishi tu26 when it gets hot it bog down and dies and it blows out a lot of blue smoke. And I also a a Husqvarna 120 marks it really hard to start and it bog down as well

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

what kind of gasoline and oil do you use?

[@patrickbarham1762]

Husqvarna 2 stoke oil

[@gilliland426]

homelite products are darn good to me

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes the older ones, were great.

[@russellstrainzone2384]

If you thing this engine has a strong compression stroke try pulling over my dads shindaiwa trimmer.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I bet it's got a lot

[@karlpoulin3938]

Very information! Thank you!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem

[@Patrick4959]

Yep no worries and never a problem for me too etc.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I thought so too, thank you Patrick Stapleton!

[@Patrick4959]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE my pleasure mate.

[@robertgarcia6116]

What brand of 2stroke oil you like or use

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

the cheapest I can find, Blackmax full synthetic

[@makeiteasycz4759]

Hi, could you please leave a link for the new carb ? I have a similar homelite trimmer, and unfortunately fuel is leaking from the carburettor. My carburetor is labeled "C1U" but it should be the same type as yours in the video. Thanks in advance for the link 🙂

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

sure thing.

[@ПеткоВасилев-м4ь]

Do you have video with tanaka ast 250 ?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

unfortunately no, not very common in my area

[@rickthelian2215]

👍working

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you Rick Thelian

[@jesterr7133]

I have respect for anyone that will take on a 17 year old cheap weed eater, lol.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

me too!

[@electroddxful]

I wouldn’t mine to have it as a back up trimmer 👍🙏👍🙏

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

this one, is not a bad one at all.

[@TNTllama]

I got a free 2 cycle weed wacker with a new carb and after adjusting, it ran fine with the fuel it had. Then i accidentally put to much oil in the fuel and it didn't run, then i put engineered fuel and it still doesn't run. What could be the problem. Thanks for your time.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

it's flooded. One of the issue when you sometime don't it a trimmer to start, is to pull it one too many times and the flood it. Next time, use no choke, squeeze the trigger and pull it several times and see what happens.

[@TNTllama]

Still nothing. Though I do apologize for I should have explained it's symptoms better. Because it does start and run for about 20-30 seconds then dies and doesn't idle. After that it won't turn back on. It also seems to do better in the cold when it was about 10-20 degrees out. But now that it's warmer out it seems not to do as well. I didn't leave any fuel in it during its storage from when I got it in the middle of winter. And because the engine felt to easy to pull, I tuck it apart down to the piston and it looked great in side. It was having running problems before I tuck it apart to. It's clear to me that I broke it but I don't know what. Again thanks for your time.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem and thank you for the clarification

[@davidfitzpatrick-cockram]

Thanks, very helpful

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem

[@joequillun7790]

What are you saying? Homelite brand is a low cost general purpose residential machine? Not commercial?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

was I saying it wasn't in the video?

[@joequillun7790]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Are you answering my question, with a question?

[@CollectiveGrounds]

I've got this same trimmer and it recently stopped working, how do you get it started if the engine is flooded and it won't start? I was thinking of trying to replace the carburetor but don't want to do that and it still doesn't work

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

sure, I would make sure the choke is OFF, squeeze the trigger and hold it, while pulling on the rope. Try 10 pulls at first and then walk away, come back and try again.

[@marshallcollins3376]

Excellent vid.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks!

[@marshmower]

I wonder if they took the screen out of the muffler

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

oh that's a good possibility

[@two-strokeworkshop1154]

Opinion on homelite?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

depends on the year, model, older stuff is great, newer stuff has it's appeal but not built anywhere near the quality of the older stuff

[@elbronco5532]

How much u selling that 25cc homelite trim & edge

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I was not planning on selling.

[@elbronco5532]

Im doing the same with ut'20006 model aftermarket carb 11.oo cheap no good results

[@robertmailhos8159]

Carbon if not kept cleaned out of the engine can a great.problem that is that you need to keep it at least The less The better

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes it can .

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE yeah buddy 😎👍👌

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Interesting

[@user-ic1pm6uo7w]

it still needs to be tuned .... lol not stock?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

of course, it will need multiple cold starts and tuning sessions to get it right.

[@ethanmiller3935]

I personally would not want it, being that it is a curved shaft and a front recoil. I probably won't even take it if it were free. I've nothing against having a lesser quality machine as a backup. I've got an old a Cub Cadet CC 2000 ( l put a Ryobi kombi shaft on it to make it a Straight Shaft) and it is my backup. It isnt that uncommon for it to start on the first pull, cold.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

oh I completely understand

[@SgtJoeSmith]

you would have to pay me to remove that junk

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I can understand why

[@M.TTT.]

Homelite? More like makes me want to light my home on fire after it breaks. (idk first thing that came to mind lol)

[@davidanderson2523]

easier to buy the new carb.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes you are correct

[@meng6315]

I bought one of those and it only lasted one season. Lesson learned. I will never buy those brand ever again. You’re going to waste money every year for a new one, might as just buy an echo.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I've heard the same complaints before and it's understandable

[@tjatkins2320]

40$ 😂😂😂

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks