Edger: Engine Lacks Power

Your edger’s fuel filter prevents debris from entering the fuel lines, the carburetor, or the engine. Occasionally this debris will cause a clog in the fuel filter. This will starve your engine of fuel. If the clog is bad enough, your engine may not work at all. However, it may be the case that enough fuel is reaching the engine to allow it to run, but its overall performance and power will be reduced. Cleaning the fuel filter should be a part of your regular edger maintenance routine. This will often solve the problem and restore power to the edger.

For your edger’s engine to run at peak performance, it needs an adequate amount of oxygen. This is particularly evident when your edger is running at full throttle. As air is drawn into the engine, the air filter prevents dirt and debris from entering along with it. The air filter can become clogged by this debris over time, which prevents it from allowing enough air to enter the engine. As your engine needs more power, more air will be required to accommodate it. A clogged air filter will not allow enough air to enter the engine for it to run at full power. You can clean your air filter to potentially remedy this issue. Inspecting the filter for clogs should become part of your regular maintenance routine.

Your edger’s fuel filter prevents debris from entering the fuel lines, the carburetor, or the engine. Occasionally this debris will cause a clog in the fuel filter. This will starve your engine of fuel. If the clog is bad enough, your engine may not work at all. However, it may be the case that enough fuel is reaching the engine to allow it to run, but its overall performance and power will be reduced. Cleaning the fuel filter should be a part of your regular edger maintenance routine. This will often solve the problem and restore power to the edger.

Your carburetor usually has a gasket that creates a seal to prevent air from leaking in. While the carburetor does require air, and will inject air into the engine, it is important that it enters in a controlled manner. A leak in the gasket can prevent this from happening, and therefore too much air will enter the engine during combustion. This can decrease the overall performance of your edger, and lead to a lack of power. Gaskets, when damaged, will usually need to be replaced individually, or as part of a carb kit.

The spark plug in your edger needs to be clean and functioning properly if the edger is to run at full capacity. A fouled spark plug may not create the desired spark when you attempt to run your edger at full power. It is also important that your spark plug is gapped properly. Ensuring that your spark plug is gapped to the manufacturer’s specification can help it run smoothly and effectively at full power. If your spark plug is properly gapped and is not fouled by carbon deposits, it is possible that your spark plug isn’t generating a spark because of a bad ignition coil. Use a spark tester to determine if the coil is working properly, and if it is, you most likely have a bad spark plug.

The trigger coil or ignition coil provides the spark plug with the electric current required to create a spark in the engine. This process is what gives your edger power. If your trigger or ignition coil is faulty or damaged, it will produce a weak spark, or no spark at all. This can result in a lack of power for your edger. To determine if the trigger coil or the spark plug are causing this issue, it is recommended that you test the coil with a spark tester, to confirm that it is the issue or rule it out. If the coil is working properly, it is a sign that the spark plug may be faulty.

A carb kit is used to rebuild a carburetor that has been damaged. A damaged carb can result in a lack of power from your edger. If your carburetor has had fuel left in it for an extended period, some of the smaller parts inside can become clogged and brittle. In this case a new carb kit can quickly and easily solve your issue.

Your edger’s fuel lines need to be clean and clear so they can supply the carburetor with fuel. If you have left fuel in the tank or lines when storing your edger for the winter, the fuel lines can become clogged. When the carburetor lacks fuel, it will not be able to run effectively at full power. This can affect the edger’s overall performance, and you may have to clean the lines before your edger works properly. To check for clogged lines, simply disconnect them and attempt to blow air through them from one end. If you detect a clog, you will need to clean or replace the line. You should also inspect the fuel filter as it is designed to prevent this from happening. This symptom could also be caused by a leaking fuel line. A leak can occur when the lines crack, or when the fuel clamps have become loose or damaged. Be sure to check and replace the fuel lines as needed, as leaking fuel can become a safety hazard.