i have a troy-bilt string trimmer (Model TB90BC) that i've had for about a year... at the end of last year, it started stalling while lifted to different angles (like close to vertically for edging)... i made it through the mowing season, but now it's doing it again (not that i expected any different)... i was wondering what i could possibly adjust to fix this

i'm pretty sure it's getting fuel at those angles by where the filter is - and nothing has changed since i first got it last spring (it was working fine then)

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

4/6/2007 1:47:54 PM

does it hesitate when you open the throttle wide-open?

4/6/2007 1:53:25 PM

it may hesitate a little, but it opens up and runs... but it begins to stall as soon as i lower the head to the ground

4/6/2007 1:54:49 PM

sounds like you need to check your fuel lines for cracks letting air in

4/6/2007 2:09:43 PM

Does it have a primer bulb? Is it cracked?

Seriously, it sounds like it's running lean, and quite possibly because of what 69 said.

4/6/2007 2:23:50 PM

thanks, i can look at that... i just don't understand how that wouldn't present a problem no matter the position of the trimmer - the lines also still seem pretty pliable (like there shouldn't be any cracks being only a year old)

also, would i see bubbles in the line if that were happening? - or could they be there for other reasons?

does the bulb create the vacuum between the tank and the carb? - i'm pretty sure the bulb is in good shape

4/6/2007 2:30:03 PM

will it run with the choke partially on?

4/6/2007 5:41:20 PM

check the fuel line that goes into the tank

4/6/2007 7:03:43 PM

^^ the choke is one of those on/off deals (ez start crap) where its choked while you start it and cuts off automatically when you squeeze the throttle

one thing that seems to have helped is adjusting the idle on the carb - the manual says that if the head spins at idle, you should adjust it so that it doesn't (can't remember which direction i turned it), but if it stalls at idle, then adjust the other direction - i just opened it up a lot to where the head does spin at idle, but it seems to work for some reason

aside, what kind of tool could i use to adjust the hi/lo on the carb? - my blower (also troy-bilt) allows it with a plastic piece you can stick a screwdriver into, but the trimmer just has these round pieces with small holes in the top

4/6/2007 8:42:18 PM

make a slit with a dremel and use a screwdriver

[Edited on April 6, 2007 at 9:45 PM. Reason : /]

4/6/2007 9:45:19 PM

do NOT fuck with the high-low unless you know exactly what you're doing.

another thing that hasnt benn mentioned yet, i would blow compressed air into the exhaust and try to clean it out a little bit. those things are extremely sensitive to plugged up mufflers. usually that would start affectting the full-throttle performance first, but it wont hurt to try.

4/6/2007 9:56:54 PM

did you ever leave fuel in the trimmer when you weren't using it?

try some gas additive if so?

4/6/2007 10:04:39 PM

Quote :

"i would blow compressed air into the exhaust and try to clean it out a little bit. those things are extremely sensitive to plugged up mufflers. usually that would start affectting the full-throttle performance first, but it wont hurt to try."

that would affect it all the time regardless of what position the engine was in. usually the spark arrestor gets clogged and the damn thing will idle fine but won't have any upper power at all. i take mine off and throw them in the trash.

here's the problem:

Quote :

"i have a troy-bilt string trimmer (Model TB90BC) that i've had for about a year"

didn't even make it one full season before giving you problems, eh? next time you buy power equipment, spend the extra loot and buy stihl or echo, preferably stihl. period. there is no other brand out there that is worth a damn regardless of what others say. with that said, put that thing on craigslist, recover your $50 that it's worth and buy a stihl.


scroll halfway down and read the customer reviews.
http://tinyurl.com/2ksza6



[Edited on April 7, 2007 at 8:07 AM. Reason : -]

4/7/2007 7:58:20 AM

well you gotta look at the large number of idiots that dont know how to use or maintain power equipment leaving reviews, i have that exact model, and so does Jeepman and neither of us have had any problems, as a matter of fact mine has been sitting for 4-5 months, i ran a little gas/stabil mix through there till it ran out, and i guarantee it will start right up. true its not a good as a still or echo,but i dont use it enough to justify the extra $300 on it

4/7/2007 10:04:44 AM

i gots a few ryobis and i beat the hell out of them and they still run goot

4/7/2007 1:57:03 PM

get your money back (if you can).

i left gas in a weed eater brand trimmer every season and it lasted 7 years before the fuel lines rotted and i threw it away. other than that it worked every time i used it. so i'd say troy-built is crappy.

i'd stop on over to sears and get their cheap shit model for <$120 or so and it'll last you a good 7-10 years.

that's what i did after getting shitty trimmers from other stores.

plus they'll service or sell parts for what they sell/let you trade it in later for something else.

[Edited on April 7, 2007 at 9:53 PM. Reason : eh]

4/7/2007 9:53:18 PM

I've got a Ryobi that I've had for about 7 years, and it works rather well. Of course, it was the $200 professional grade model (which is about as good as a cheap Echo). The $100 models with the front support crank (not supported on both ends) are total shit, but seem to do okay for the occasional user.

Ryobi, BTW, is damn near the same as the Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, etc. They are all made by MTD, and they are all about the same quality level; that is to say, mediocre.

BTW, underPSI, you forgot to include Shindiawa in that list. They are as good if not better than either Stihl or Echo. And don't forget Husqvarna. Oh...and I'd take an Echo any day over a Stihl, though I still really like the Stihls.

4/9/2007 8:12:27 AM

dont forget about the shit ass AYP company that makes all sears brand equipment

4/9/2007 8:15:01 AM

i agree that echo/stihl are much better quality, i was just really strapped at the time and thought i could get by with this one (but i was pretty pleased for the most part when it was new)

i kept messing with it and got it running pretty good that day - i'll probably go ahead and get some additive and see if that helps

4/9/2007 10:16:45 AM

AYP makes MTD too....it's all the same shit, whether you buy from sears, lowes, home depot, etc...

4/9/2007 5:31:13 PM