Fixing A Bolens Trimmer That Won't Start

[@jesterr7133]

Like I've said before, I enjoy working on things, and right now, I am focused more on gaining experience. I will work on anything that will give me a chance to do something that I haven't done before. I won't lose money on anything, but I like taking on interesting projects, even if I won't make a ton of money on them.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I like your attitude, If you keep it up, you could be running your own repair shop in a couple of years. Consumers are always looking for a "reasonable" repair business.

[@mattwickert736]

The check valve in the primer base probably went bad causing it to leak so the fuel wasn't coming up the supply line. I've managed a couple times to block the outlet barb while letting go of the primer and get them to work right once fuel got into them. They are replaceable, but I usually just swap the carb at that point since I never have the check valves sitting around. I buy gasket/rebuild kits at wholesale prices, I always try that first before changing the carb as a general rule. I can't buy all of them, but have made an effort to keep the extra pieces from kits along the way and managed to rebuild a few using those spare items. I tend to not work on the MTD stuff, though - they just don't bring enough $ to make it worthwhile.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

interesting idea, so you didn't think the mis-aligned pump diaphragm had anything to do with it?

[@mattwickert736]

​@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I 100% believe it caused the original priming issue you encountered, as it likely was blocking the port that would pull the fuel into the purge bulb. Once you aligned the pump diaphragm, the check failure also came to light. As you know, it's hard to truly say which one caused which as a recipient of a non-running machine. Perhaps the non-priming issue occurred first, causing the owner or someone else to take the carb apart and put it back mis-aligned, but that's speculation at this point. My original comment wasn't entirely clear, so glad you looked for clarity on it. I like that you tested the priming before putting the original carb back on - I've forgotten to do that a couple times and had the same issue with not pulling fuel up the supply, only to have to disassemble again lol

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I see what you're saying now.

[@joshuapeaslee2586]

I’m so glad I’ve found your channel I’ve been learning a lot, I just fixed my first push mower, but I was wondering what do you use to put gas in the carburetor to test start them lol

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks, and I use a vented chemical bottle. You can get them from Amazn.

[@joshuapeaslee2586]

@ thank you so much

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem

[@jesterr7133]

I recently picked up a Poulan Pro PBV 200 LE hand held blower. I put a carb and fuel lines on it and it is running great, but it seems a little fast. I have never owned one of these before or even heard one running. Do they normally sound a little fast?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

It depends on what you're comparing it too? Also have you considered retuning the carb so it's not so fast?

[@jesterr7133]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE That's the thing. I don't know if I need to tune it or not, since I don't know how fast it is supposed to run. It is definitely running faster than my backpack blower, but the backpack has a ton of hours on it, and doesn't run as fast as it used to. It is definitely running faster than any other machine I currently own.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

ah I see, If your interested you can get an expensive tachometer, the kind that wraps around the spark plug wire, and adjust the carb with that to help out.

[@angelicaconiguliaro3179]

The reality is nothing is cheap anymore, these use too be $89 now $179 here in NY. Since NY is banning small gas engines 25hp and below next year, it would be worth fixing here. I commented on another video that I bought 5 on clearance for that very reason. Have 11 mower's ready for sale also! Good video as always! Definitely "see you on the next one"!

[@CuriousKL]

What will that ban fix? It's forcing you to purchase battery powered equipment. Unconstitutional.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you very much to sharing that with us. NY is definitely making some interesting changes.

[@christophermarshall5765]

I'd put a carb kit through it, & ensure I buy several, to save on cost. As for the handle, I'd most likely make one.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

how would you make yours? Would this be for personal use or for re-sale?

[@christophermarshall5765]

@ most likely for personal use. I would make the starting handle from round bar aluminium, and plastic sleeve to prevent the aluminium cutting the starter cord.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'm guessing hollow tube then? Solid would be quite heavy for a pull handle. Not a bad idea.

[@christophermarshall5765]

@ I would use 1 inch thick solid bar, centre drilled to allow fitting of a plastic sleeve. The handle would be about 4 inches long.

[@mattjones1792]

Every company should just pay echo to use the speed feed on there trimmers

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

good idea.

[@MUUKOW3]

They sure sold a bunch of that stuff in your area. The majority here would be Echo and Stihl with most of low end being Poulan ,the low end Husky but not much of the badge engineered MTD stuff.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

this is definitely in the low end range. I'd be happy just to get $20 for it.

[@RandomCNUnit]

Ok, so I have that yard machines small push mower, and uh, it starts and runs, but uh, only for a few seconds. It ran fine without the air filter on (as it was very dirty) and then with it on it, uhhh... I think it messed something up in the carb as I thought it was a carb issue, but really, it wasn't just a air filter issue so uh.. air filter replacing time and hope for the best it doesn't really mess with the carb

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

good luck with it, but have you considered trying to start and run the machine and while it's running put the air filter on it and see what happens?

[@RandomCNUnit]

@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE i did put the air filter on and it did run until it came to a halt

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

there you go, I'd replace the air filter and see what happens.

[@RandomCNUnit]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE when ever I get the chance to i will

[@robertmailhos8159]

The plastic engine cover looks like a cub cadet yellow cover 😂

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes it does

[@robertmailhos8159]

@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I've seen it in the green color nat Lowe's

[@RussellBooth1977]

I would've just rekitted the carburettor to fix the problem & either the idle speed is too high or the centrifugal clutch isn't disengaging because the trimmer head should not be spinning at idle speed !

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you know what, I didn't even realize that. I just assumed since it's a cheap trimmer that it didn't have a clutch. Thanks I'll have to adjust the idle speed.

[@UhBuddy1976]

I saw it on the sticker! There’s your problem! “Made in Mexico”! MTD’s may be decent machines, but everybody knows Mexico, even with Toyota plants down there now, don’t have good quality control

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

ah yes, I didn't expect to see that there.

[@UhBuddy1976]

@ me neither.. I’m hoping in the next year or two, we’ll start to see massive increases of manufacturing returning to the States.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that would be awesome. Bring it back home.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Carb kit.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

already on it.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE 10/4!!

[@timtweet8149]

Depends how bad he need a working trimmer or trying to get more on a sale.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you make a good point

[@jesterr7133]

It is not worth rebuilding this type of carb. I bought an entire kit for $14, with a bunch of cheap parts that I can use for testing. It will pay for itself in the end, since I won't have to risk damaging good parts on testing.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are so right!

[@samuelandrade9246]

I wouldn't waste my time and money on that cheap trimmer. 😊

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know what you mean. Definitely time spent elsewhere

[@robcole332]

Trash to treasure

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I hope someone see's it that way.