How to Fix a Weed Eater That is Overheating?

Why is my weed eater overheating?

The reason your weed eater is overheating is because of a clogged-up exhaust system, the use of a wrong ratio of oil and gas, and a wrong carburetor setting. Clogging of the air filter and overworking battery-powered engines are other possible reasons why a weed eater overheats.

 

 

Clogged-up exhaust system

Your weed eater releases its heat through the exhaust system. This system consists of a muffler to reduce the noise and a spark arrester. The spark arrester is a mesh-like device (screen) that prevents debris from your engine from being released into the environment.

While the system serves its purpose of trapping those little particles that could otherwise cause a fire outbreak. Continuous use of your machine causes the mesh to get clogged up.

When this occurs, the particles ignite in the exhaust system and release black smoke. Because the engine cannot efficiently get rid of its heat, it builds up within the engine and causes it to overheat.

 

Wrong ratio of oil and gas

Two-stroke engines like the one present in your fuel-powered weed eater use pre-mixed fuel. First, you combine the gas and oil in a predetermined ratio often stated in the user guide. Then, the oil keeps the moving parts of your engine, especially the piston, lubricated.

Your weed eater is overheating because there is too much or too little oil. If the oil is too much, you’ll notice it drip off the exhaust as your engine heats up. Also, if you use too little oil, the engine will overheat and could even get damaged because of a lack of lubrication.

 

Wrong carburetor setting

The carburetor in a two-stroke engine is the chamber where the gas and air are mixed before igniting the engine. There are three adjustment screws on it for determining how much fuel is served to the engine at rest and full rev.

Although feeding your engine too little fuel can cause it to die at full rev. Feeding your engine too much fuel could cause it to overheat.

 

Clogging of the air filter

Your engine needs air for combustion to take place. Engineers put the air filter in place to prevent dust, insects, grass debris, and sand from reaching the engine.

After repeated use, the air filter could get clogged up. This blockage will lead to starving the engine of air. Hindering the engine’s breathing causes it to overheat, especially when you rev it up.

 

Overworking battery-powered engines

Battery-powered weed eaters are designed for short weeds and grasses. Therefore, using them for thickets and taller grasses can cause them to heat up. Instead, opt for fuel-powered trimmers whenever you have a large workload.

 

How to fix a weed eater that is overheating?

To fix a weed eater that overheats, you can clean out the spark arrester, change the air filter, use the correct oil and gas ratio.

Clean out the spark arrester

If you have been using your machine for a while, this might be the reason why your weed eater is overheating. Follow these steps to clean the blockage:

1. Remove the covering of the air filter and set it aside.
2. Next, loose the two bolts that hold the engine cover in place. They should be present on the extreme ends of the cover.
3. Slightly tilt your weed adjuster to the side, so the carburetor side is facing down.
4. Remove the 3 screws that hold the metal plate covering the spark arrester. You will need a T25 screwdriver to loosen them. The plate should be prominent as it is usually covered in dark soot.
5. Gently remove the mesh-like substance underneath the plate. This is the screen of the spark arrester that you need to clean.
6. Brush off the debris on it using an old toothbrush. Do that until the mesh is clean and you can see through its holes.
7. Once the screen is clean, replace the mesh, then the cover plate. Finally, hold the cover plate in place using those screws you removed.
8. Replace the engine cover and the air filter cover.

 

Adjust the carburetor settings

Tuning your carburetor can reduce the amount of fuel fed to your engine. Effectively reducing the heat produced. Follow these steps to adjust the settings:

1. Locate the adjustment screws on the top of your carburetor. They should be labeled “Hi” and “Lo .”With an additional idle state adjustment screw.
2. Use a small Philip screwdriver to tighten these screws. Some models require using a carburetor adjustment screwdriver. You can improvise this by using the tip of the case of a Bic pen.
3. Turn the screws about 1 turn counter clockwise.
4. Turn on the engine, and slightly turn the “Lo” screw clockwise until the engine sounds evens out.
5. Then rev up the throttle. If the engine sputters or dies, turn the “Hi” screw counter clockwise until it evens out.

 

Change the air filter.

If your air filter is starving your engine of cool air, it may cause the engine to overheat. Check your air filter regularly and replace it at least once a year. Follow this guide to replace your air filter easily:

1. Remove the air filter cover by turning the knob on the end of the cover.
2. Assess the air filter for any tear or clogging.
3. Remove the old filter and install the new one. Air filters are available on Amazon for around $10 for a pack of 5.
4. Strap the air filter cover back onto your trimmer and secure it tightly.

 

Use the correct oil and gas ratio.

If your engine is overheating and you observed oil dripping from the exhaust end, it is time to review your fuel ratio.

1. Open the user manual that came along with your weed trimmer if you still have it.
2. Read through the manual to find the specified gas to oil ratio. It usually ranges between 50:1 or 30:1.
3. Remove the fuel in your tank.
4. Replace with one that follows the specified ratio.
5. If you cannot find your user manual, visit the official website of your weed eater brand to get the information.
6. Ensure you drain your fuel tank before storage. Never allow old oil to sit for 30 days in your tank.

 

Why does my weed eater die when it gets hot?

The reason your weed eater dies when it gets hot is because of the inability of the engine to emit heat efficiently. This can either be caused by the cooling system failure (air filter and spark arrester) or fuel related problem.

To fix this, follow the troubleshooting steps highlighted above.

• Cut off power to the weed eater by turning it off.
• Start by trying to get the right fuel-to-oil ratio.
• Then, clean out the screen of the spark arrester.
• If that doesn’t work, adjust the carburetor setting or replace the air filter.

 

Why is my weed trimmer line melting?

The lines on your weed trimmer are melting because of lack of lubrication, improper winding, and use of low-quality strings.

There is a plug in the shaft of the head of your weed eater. Remove it and grease the gears to reduce the heat generated.

Also, ensure you use high-quality strings, especially when replacing the original ones due to breakage.

 

Why is my Echo weed eater overheating?

The engine on your Echo weed eater may overheat because of debris in the air filter or exhaust port. Wrong gas to oil ratio and poor combustion can also cause this problem. Follow these steps to fix it:

1. Cut off the power to the Echo weed trimmer by turning it off.
2. Ensure you return the choke after starting the engine to prevent poor combustion.
3. Clean out the screen of your spark arrester using the steps highlighted above.
4. Use the correct proportion of gas to oil.
5. Tune the carburetor using the guidelines above.
6. Replace the air filter.

 

Why is my Husqvarna weed eater overheating?

The engine on your Husqvarna weed eater may overheat because of debris in the air filter or exhaust port. A wrong tuning or outright clogging of the carburetor can also cause this problem. Follow these guidelines to fix it:

1. Turn off your weed trimmer.
2. Clean out the screen of your spark arrester using the steps highlighted above.
3. Use the correct ratio of gas to oil.
4. Tune the carburetor using the guidelines above.
5. Replace the air filter
6. If all these fail, clean the carburetor.

 

Why is my STIHL weed eater overheating?

Your STIHL weed eater may be overheating because of the air filter or exhaust port blockage. This causes a problem with the cooling system of the engine. The wrong gas to oil ratio and poor combustion may also cause this problem. To fix it, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your weed trimmer
2. Ensure you return the choke after starting the engine to prevent poor combustion.
3. Clean out the screen of your spark arrester using the steps highlighted above.
4. Use the correct proportion of gas to oil.
5. Tune the carburetor using the guidelines above.
6. Replace the air filter.

 

Why is my Ryobi weed eater overheating?

The reasons your Ryobi weed eater may be overheating are debris in the air filter or exhaust port, a wrong tuning, or outright clogging of the carburetor. Follow these steps to fix it:

1. First, turn off your Ryobi weed trimmer.
2. Clean out the screen of your spark arrester using the steps highlighted above.
3. Use the correct gas to oil ratio.
4. Tune the carburetor using the guidelines above.
5. Replace the air filter.
6. If all these fail, clean the carburetor.