Honda Weed whacker problem?

[Ufatz]

Hey gang.....please refresh my memory. We have a Honda weedwhacker that has been as reliable as the sunrise. Yesterday it would fire up as usual,  run for 30-seconds and then die.  It would do that time after time. Why?  I have not spent any time at it yet but am running possibilities through my head.

This delightful little machine has a 4-stroke engine, built like a Swiss watch, that has been perfect for ten years or more. This has gotta be something simple.

[delcecchi]

Sounds like fuel to me.  30 seconds is about right to burn what is in the float bowl.  Weed whacker has to have some sort of fuel pump, right?

That or a fuel filter if there is one. 

Another guess from me.

[RebelSS]

Check the fuel line for leaks or cracks...sounds like a pinhole in your fuel diaphragm to me, you'll want to check that. That's the symptoms you are experiencing....

[Ufatz]

Yah. Okay. You both jogged my memory.  That is first thing that popped into my head....fuel delivery glitch of one sort or another. I think it DOES have a small fuel  pump and that is probably the trouble.  I'll take a  look and then off to the Honda place. And of course I first look for leak or loose connection of fuel line.

Thank you gents.

[gunner55]

We have a similar motor on a small tiller & started to experience much the same problem. I found a small crack in the primer bulb, got a replacement at L & M. It took about 10 minutes & $3 for good as new.

[Ufatz]

Ya know,  I had the same problem on another small Honda engine.  Not the problem here but  your post should be a reminder to others to check for just that. As I recall it was not easy to SEE the problem at that time, but as soon as I put new bulb on all was fine.

I plan to get busy with some carb cleaner this weekend and some fresh fuel too. We shall see.

[RebelSS]

That's why I NEVER run Ethanol Dump gas in any of my engines. Non-oxy with a good stabilizer ONLY! After tearing down and rebuilding engines for 30+ years, ya tend to learn a thing or two.