string trimmer drippin' gas...

[sailinstud420]

Hey any idea why my string trimmer (echo srm230) is leaking gas out the carb? It seems to run fine, but when I am all done and hang it up on the wall it starts dripping gas out the air filter cover. I don't think the pressure relief thing-a-ma-bobber is the problem, but what causes those to not work, and are they supposed to pop open somehow?

[grassmanvt]

Check a couple other things, I have had my 260's leak and look like it was right out of the carb but actually turned out to be something else. The few things I have found are; cracked primer bulb, broken and missing vent line cap, cracked fuel line, and check out the gas cap area, make sure gasket is there and intact and, if it had a little plastic holder that holds the cap when you take it off, sometimes it would get caught in the gasket when tightening the cap. Hope for one of these problems as they are all cheap easy things to fix. Good luck.

[topsites]

Yeah there's like a dead-end line hangs out near my air-filter on the srm-260s, not sure what it is but it's fuel and like the other guy said, check ALL the fuel lines and the primer bulb and if all that is good, REMOVE the air filter cover so as to get a better look as to where the fuel is coming from...
One might think, it is possible but I don't know if on such a small engine it exists...On my tiller with a larger Kohler, it leaked fuel and it was due to the float being stuck inside the carb's reserve but then it also leaked fuel at all times.

[lawnwizards]

i know echo recently recalled a bunch of their trimmers because of a faulty gas line. you may want to contact your dealer and see if yours is one they recalled.. all they do is put in a new line for you. takes about 5 seconds.

[sailinstud420]

I'll have to take a look at the fuel lines, I didn't notice anything, but it is a brand new trimmer, so I didn't really suspect that to be the problem. I am sure whatever it is, it is an easy fix, there is nothing complicated about these two strokes...

If echo is recalling stuff, why the *&%* don't they contact their consumers? I sent in all my warranty stuff!!

[PLM-1]

Sounds like the vent to me. Like someone said above, check the line that looks like it has a cap-like thing on it...it may need changing.

[GreenUtah]

We actually used to see this quite a bit with all the 2400 series trimmers and stick edgers. It is actually coming out of the carb, soaking your air filter and leaking down once air is no longer being drawn through it. It is the result of your machine running too rich for the available air flow and caused by one of two things. Either your air filter itself is dirty/plugged and not allowing flow or the spark arrester or muffler port is clogged with carbon buildup, restricting air flow out that side. You can check those things or it may even just need the carb adjusted. The bonus will be better power and fuel efficiency.

[ed2hess]

New trimmer isn't likely to have port closed. I would look closely at making sure the two gas lines are fitted up tight and the rubber device at the inlet into the tank is secure in place. I would also look for loose screws on the purge bulb(four screws). I have seen a new 230 leak and never found anything specific. The good part is that it didn't continue constantly. I also thought it might be high temperature can cause a lot of pressure inside the tank when it is full. I don't think the vent allows outflow only inflow but if the pressure builds maybe it damages the vent. Hang the vent out away from the trimmer to see if gas is leaking out from it.

[hole in one lco]

well my kaw was doing the same thing and it was the needle seat had a hole in it of course my trimmer is 6 years old tho.

[sailinstud420]

I am about positive it is leaking out of the carb like someone said. Come to think of it the trimmer is sometimes harder to start than my edger (pe230) which I can get to go on the first pull every time, (two years old) It normally takes a good bit of pulls with the choke on then a few more with the choke off to get it going good.

Is it possible that the needle is set a little rich from the factory for break-in? I guess I will try leaning it out some, How sensitive are the needles? Is there a high and low speed needle? I am very familiar with r/c cars and boats (nitro engines) but I really have never had to mess with any of my wackers or blowers.....

[GreenUtah]

New trimmer isn't likely to have port closed. .

Didn't see anything indicating it was new..lol..It is not difficult to adjust the carb and yes, it's two. In fact, I've never had a single stick piece of Echo equipment that didn't need periodic adjustmants. The blowers rarely did, for whatever reason(they were more likely to snap off the throttle cable or lose the kill switch) but the trimmers/edgers needed a little tweaking at least monthly in every model we ever owned. Keep in mind the use we put them through as well, with a person dedicated to just using that piece of equipment all day long, edging and trimming while mowing was going on. I'lll add this as well, they certainly held up far, far longer than the husqvarna items we tried for the weight savings.

[ed2hess]

Since you know it is coming out of the carb then that needle valve is letting some fuel pass. I guess when it heats up after you shut it off the valve must be leaking. There isn't much you can do with that needle valve except stretch the spring or bend the tab to hold it closed a little longer. I never had to do that so don't know the results. You can adjust the high/low carb screws but I don't think that will stop this leaking. If it is under warranty I guess they could change out the carb. Like I told you earlier I had a new 230 do that and then it settled in and stopped???