Weed eaters and string trimmers use a small gas powered motors that can become flooded if not used correctly.
There are a few common causes of a flooded weed eater, such as not waiting long enough before starting the engine, over-priming the carburetor, or leaving the choke on while attempting to start.
If your weed eater or string trimmer has become flooded, there are a few steps you can take to unflood and fix it.
In This Guide
In this guide our team of experts at Whack Your Weeds will share tips on how to unflood a weed eater or string trimmer in just a few minutes with the tools you have in your garage.
What is Flooding the Motor?
Flooding occurs when too much fuel enters the combustion chamber and prevents the spark plug from igniting. This can be caused by improper starting, over-priming or using stale gas. A flooded string trimmer engine will not start and can leave you feeling frustrated.
Here are a few of the most common causes of flooding a string trimmer.
Improper Starting
When starting a weed eater or string trimmer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper starting. This usually involves priming the engine, pulling the starter cord in short increments and then letting go of it quickly when it reaches full tension.
Improperly starting the engine can be prevented by waiting 10 seconds after priming before starting. This allows the fuel to mix with air and reach the carburetor.
Time For A New Weed Eater?
Not every trimmer will last forever! The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer offers a versatile and efficient solution for your lawn care needs, featuring a 2-speed control and an Automatic Feed Spool that eliminates the need for bumping.
This trimmer is not only powerful but also easily converts to a wheeled edger, making it a valuable addition to any toolkit for dealing with flooded weed eaters or regular lawn maintenance.
Over-Priming
When refueling a weed eater or string trimmer, it’s important to only prime until you see one or two drops of fuel in the primer bulb. This usually takes about three to five pumps depending on the brand and model.
You can prevent over-priming by counting the number of pumps on the primer bulb. If you are not sure check the owners manual or the sticker on the side of the engine for the exact number of pumps needed.
Using Stale Gasoline
Gasoline has a shelf life and can go bad if not used within several months. This is especially true in warmer climates where the fuel will break down quicker due to heat. Stale gas can cause your weed eater or string trimmer engine to flood.
To prevent using stale gas, make sure to check the expiration date on the fuel container and avoid buying fuel in bulk if you don’t plan on using it right away.
Fixing a Flooded Weed Eater in 5 Steps
If your weed eater or string trimmer has become flooded, here are 5 steps you can take to unflood and fix it.
1. Allow the motor to cool – This is probably the most important step! A flooded motor will be hot from trying to start so make sure to turn off the fuel valve and give it time to cool before attempting any repairs.
2. Clear away excess fuel – Carefully remove any excess fuel from the engine with a rag or paper towel. Again, make sure the motor is cool before doing this step. Excess fuel can cause the engine to become even more flooded.
3. Check the spark plug – If the spark plug is wet or has gas residue on it, use a dry rag to wipe it off and then leave it out for 5 minutes so that any lingering fumes can dissipate before reinstalling it.
4. Check for air leaks – Make sure there are no air leaks in the lines that can cause the engine to become flooded. Air leaks are a problem because they prevent the carburetor from mixing the fuel and air properly.
5. Reassemble and try to start – Once you have checked all of the above, it’s time to reassemble your weed eater or string trimmer and attempt to start it again. If you have followed these steps correctly, your engine should start without any problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do if your weed eater is flooded?
If you weed eater is flooded with gas you can fix it by first disconnecting the spark plug wire and then clearing out the excess fuel. You can also try to turn over the motor a few times or tilt it at a diagonal angle to help clear out the excess fuel. Finally, replace the spark plug and attempt to start your weed eater again.
How do you Unflood a 2 stroke engine?
To unflood a 2 stroke engine, start by disconnecting the spark plug wire and then clearing out the excess fuel from the engine. You can try to turn over the motor a few times or tilt it at a diagonal angle to help clear out any remaining fuel. Finally, replace the spark plug and attempt to start your weed eater again.
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