Edger: Starts, Runs For A While, Then Dies

For your carburetor to work properly, and provide the engine with the proper mix of fuel and air, it first needs to be correctly set or adjusted. This is usually accomplished by turning the adjustment screws on the carburetor to ensure the proper mix. A defective choke valve can also cause your edger to run for a while, then suddenly die. If your edger’s carburetor is badly gummed up or clogged, this can restrict fuel and air flow to the engine, causing it to suddenly die. Usually, you can clean and rebuild the carburetor to solve this problem. One of the best ways to do that is by installing a new carb kit.

Your edger’s spark plug is responsible for igniting the engine’s mixture of fuel and air, which creates the engine’s power. An incorrectly gapped spark plug could result in engine failure, even if it runs properly for a while. A narrow gap may give too weak a spark to ignite the mixture and power the engine. A gap that is too wide may prevent the spark from firing at all. Spark plugs can also wear out over time, and can malfunction, particularly as they heat up. That is what causes the engine to run for a while, and then die as it heats up. If your spark plug is worn out, you should replace it. If you notice that your spark plug is malfunctioning when it heats up, a cooler running plug would be the best replacement.

A carb kit is a collection of small parts that can help you rebuild a damaged or dirty carburetor. If your edger starts up and runs normally for a while, and then suddenly dies, it usually indicates a lack of fuel or air flow to the engine, caused by a clogged or damaged carburetor. Purchasing a new carb kit, and cleaning and replacing any dirty, gummed up, or damaged carburetor parts can usually fix the problem, as it will allow your carburetor to inject the proper ratio of fuel to air into the engine. This will keep your edger running properly, and keep it from stalling out unexpectedly.