Posted: 8/26/2016 9:10:15 AM EDT
|
My neighbor gave me a two year old Echo PB-250ln leaf blower that was stalling on him. It was still under warranty, but he didn't want to mess with it, so he went out and bought a new blower. It will start, run for about 5 minutes, then cut off. I figured that I'd do a quick tune up before getting deep into diagnosing the problem. Amazon had the tune up kit for $12 and the tune up kit with new carb for $18. For an extra $6, it was a no brainer. I replaced the carb, fuel lines/breather, air filter, spark plug. I also removed the spark arrestor from the exhaust. I added new fuel mixture (ethanol-free 90 octane + Stihl oil) last night and she started on the second pull. I adjusted the mixture screw at WOT, then it cut off (after about 3 minutes of total run time). Not surprising since none of the old parts looked bad. I could not get it restarted, even after letting it cool for about 1/2 hour. I'll try again tonight.
From the way that it cuts off (instantly), I'm guessing that the ignition coil is bad (fails when hot). Does this sound logical? How can I test the coil? Unfortunately, it is the most expensive part on the blower to replace. |
|
Get a couple of these, bolt them together back to back, get a new spark plug and put the threaded end into one of the clamps.
Fire it up and run it until it quits again. Immediately pull the plug wire, put it on the new plug, clamp the other end to the engine, and start pulling the cord. Look for a spark on the plug. |
|
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IGAiY-OnuQ I would pull it and make sure it is set right first. |
|
Quoted:
Get a couple of these, bolt them together back to back, get a new spark plug and put the threaded end into one of the clamps. Fire it up and run it until it quits again. Immediately pull the plug wire, put it on the new plug, clamp the other end to the engine, and start pulling the cord. Look for a spark on the plug. Thanks. I didn't feel like buying a spark tester. I knew GD would have the answer. |
|
Quoted:
I've had this happen to me. Quoted:
Quoted:
Make sure that the gas cap is allowing the fuel tank to vent. If it can't vent fuel will stop flowing after a while. I've had this happen to me. Tank vent would have been part of the tune up kit, I suspect, along with an in-tank filter. |
|
Quoted:
My neighbor gave me a two year old Echo PB-250ln leaf blower that was stalling on him. It was still under warranty, but he didn't want to mess with it, so he went out and bought a new blower. It will start, run for about 5 minutes, then cut off. I figured that I'd do a quick tune up before getting deep into diagnosing the problem. Amazon had the tune up kit for $12 and the tune up kit with new carb for $18. For an extra $6, it was a no brainer. I replaced the carb, fuel lines/breather, air filter, spark plug. I also removed the spark arrestor from the exhaust. I added new fuel mixture (ethanol-free 90 octane + Stihl oil) last night and she started on the second pull. I adjusted the mixture screw at WOT, then it cut off (after about 3 minutes of total run time). Not surprising since none of the old parts looked bad. I could not get it restarted, even after letting it cool for about 1/2 hour. I'll try again tonight. From the way that it cuts off (instantly), I'm guessing that the ignition coil is bad (fails when hot). Does this sound logical? How can I test the coil? Unfortunately, it is the most expensive part on the blower to replace. Take to Echo dealer?? |
|
Quoted: Thanks. I didn't feel like buying a spark tester. I knew GD would have the answer. Quoted: Quoted: Get a couple of these, bolt them together back to back, get a new spark plug and put the threaded end into one of the clamps. Fire it up and run it until it quits again. Immediately pull the plug wire, put it on the new plug, clamp the other end to the engine, and start pulling the cord. Look for a spark on the plug. Thanks. I didn't feel like buying a spark tester. I knew GD would have the answer. You need a good 3 point inline spark tester. I would bet on a sheared flywheel key. |
|
Quoted:
This is completely worthless in checking output voltage of an CDI ignition module. This test will show if the module is putting out 750 volts. The plug needs about 10K to fire under compression. You need a good 3 point inline spark tester. I would bet on a sheared flywheel key. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Get a couple of these, bolt them together back to back, get a new spark plug and put the threaded end into one of the clamps. Fire it up and run it until it quits again. Immediately pull the plug wire, put it on the new plug, clamp the other end to the engine, and start pulling the cord. Look for a spark on the plug. Thanks. I didn't feel like buying a spark tester. I knew GD would have the answer. You need a good 3 point inline spark tester. I would bet on a sheared flywheel key. Would it run at all in that case though? This one runs fine until it gets hot, then shuts down and will not restart until cool. |
|
Quoted:
I had a string trimmer many years ago that did that and it was the coil. Back then the coil cost as much as the trimmer so I junked it. That is still pretty much the case. A new coil is about $60. I've got about $20 sunk cost in this one already, but I've had fun messing around with it and have learned a lot. I was planning on buying a Stihl blower (to match my edger) before my neighbor gave me this one for free. My options are to throw another $60 into the Echo, or cut my losses and go buy the Stihl. Specs are almost ifdentical, so it probably makes more sence to fix this one. Plus I'll get the satisfaction of having brought it back to life. |
|
Quoted:
Get a couple of these, bolt them together back to back, get a new spark plug and put the threaded end into one of the clamps. Fire it up and run it until it quits again. Immediately pull the plug wire, put it on the new plug, clamp the other end to the engine, and start pulling the cord. Look for a spark on the plug. Quicker and easier to see if it fires on ether. |
|
Quoted: Would it run at all in that case though? This one runs fine until it gets hot, then shuts down and will not restart until cool. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Get a couple of these, bolt them together back to back, get a new spark plug and put the threaded end into one of the clamps. Fire it up and run it until it quits again. Immediately pull the plug wire, put it on the new plug, clamp the other end to the engine, and start pulling the cord. Look for a spark on the plug. Thanks. I didn't feel like buying a spark tester. I knew GD would have the answer. You need a good 3 point inline spark tester. I would bet on a sheared flywheel key. Would it run at all in that case though? This one runs fine until it gets hot, then shuts down and will not restart until cool. If it is running until it gets hot and then dies and restarts cold, I would suspect low compression or bad module. Since you mentioned that it died and would not restart is why I suspect the flywheel. It will spin on the crank and if it is close enough it will run, until it is too far out of time. There is an upgraded flywheel with a steel key for this model. Without a 3 point spark tester you will not load down the CDI enough with a grounded out spark plug to verify that's the problem. If it is the ignition module it has a lifetime warranty on it for parts. IM me for details. I will need the serial number. |
|
Quoted:
Take your Echo in one hand and a screwdriver in the other. Set them down and go buy a Stihl. https://www.stihlusa.com/webcontent/images/product/772/bg56ce.png?preset=product.full/ Now that's funny! 
I'm determined to fix it at this point just for the morale victory. I still might buy the Stihl and give the Echo my new neighbor- Army transfer who has a new baby coming in November. I gave him my old mower and he was very appreciative. |
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.