Echo small engines-edgers,chainsaws and trimmers

[elwin]

We have a variety of Echo hand held machines. At times machine will not run. They have spark and gas and good compression >100. The filters air and fuel new, spark plugs new, exhaust screens clean. Any ideas?

[mower_medic]

is the fuel tank and cap venting properly? if the cap won't let the tank vent, it can't let fuel get to the carb. you might want to check the fuel filter in the tank too.

[locutus]

Echo is notorious for carburetor problems.

[UNISCAPER]

The problem we had with Echo was the bottom ends in the block. All that stuff you mentioned would test good. Take the engine apart, you would find scores on the crank, on the cylinder walls, and scuffed pistons.

I never really had the time to pinpoint exactly why and what was causing the non start problem, but, when we bought what they called a repower. (engine long block) stuck it on, eveything was good for another year.

We switched to Husqvarna (reluctantly) and have blowers still running with only a plug and filter change after 7 full seasons. Trimmers running now going on 4 full seasons.

[xcopterdoc]

a compression check on a small 2 stroke is almost useless. A 2 stroke uses differential case pressure to suck fuel from the carb and also to suck fuel into the combustion chamber. A cylinder leakdown test is far more acceptable as a troubleshooting tool. Any leaks in the case, ie.. a bad crank seal, will effect how the carb works and also how the fuel/air mixture is sucked into the cylinder. Uniscaper had a good point, compression good and all that but scored crank and no doubt the inside of the case where the crank rotated was scored too.