10 Common Causes of Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Overheating

Weakness in the engine’s output will negatively impact the string trimmer’s efficiency. Your trimmer’s cutting blades have dulled, so it can’t give your lawn a neat, manicured look any longer.

If your Troy-Bilt string trimmer suddenly stops working, check for a clogged air filter, dirty spark plug, blocked fuel filter, clogged fuel line, dirty carburetor, faulty fuel tank vent, clogged spark arrestor, or outdated gasoline.

Repairs should be delayed until the engine has cooled down and all moving parts have stopped. For your safety, unplug the spark plug.

Top 10 Causes of a Dead Troy-Bilt String Trimmer

A Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Loses Power When Using Old Gas

Old gas is usually to blame when a string trimmer starts losing power. After only 30 days, the gas you bought could already be degrading and losing some of its effectiveness.

Ethanol, a renewable fuel additive, is now standard in most gas brands. That’s because plants are used in the production of ethanol.

Although ethanol has environmental benefits, it is not suitable for use in the small engine of a Troy-Bilt trimmer. This is because it has a tendency to draw atmospheric moisture into the fuel supply.

Varnish can be left behind by the water and ethanol mixture, limiting fuel flow and potentially damaging components. The mixture will eventually separate from the gas and travel through the engine at high temperatures, which could harm the component.

If you own a Troy-Bilt small engine, you should only put gas with an octane rating of 89 or above and no more than 10% ethanol in it in the gas tank.

• Premium fuel is necessary for 2-cycle engines. This oil from Kawasaki is a 2-cycle engine oil with a 40:1 dilution ratio. (Use 40 parts gas and 1 part oil).
  
• Straight gas is necessary for 4-cycle engines. The combination with oil should be avoided.

Never put into your vehicle fuel labeled “E15,” “E30,” or “E85,” which indicates a greater ethanol percentage. These range from 15% ethanol to 30% ethanol to 85% ethanol, in that order.

Use all fuel within 30 days. If you don’t use your Troy-Bilt frequently, figuring out how much fuel you’ll need can be tricky.

If you’re not sure how long the fuel will last, you can extend its shelf life by adding a fuel stabilizer. Click here to see which gasoline works best in a Troy-Bilt string trimmer.

ANSWER: Empty any residual fuel from your string trimmer. A 40:1 ratio of gas to oil should be used in a Troy-Bilt 2-cycle engine. Put regular gas into a Troy-Bilt four-cycle engine. Sea Foam Motor Treatment is a fuel stabilizer that should be added.

The fuel will be more stable and the fuel system will be cleaner thanks to this product.

Turn on the string trimmer and let it run for a while so the new gasoline and fuel stabilizer can circulate through the machine.

The Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Loses Power Due to a Clogged Air Filter

Clean air is supplied to the engine thanks to the air filter, which prevents debris and dust from entering. If the filter isn’t constantly changed or cleaned, it can clog, limiting the flow of air through the system.

A Troy-Bilt string trimmer will lose power and run slowly if not supplied with enough air.

Throughout the year, you should clean the air filter and replace it once a year. If you use your trimmer in extremely dusty conditions or more frequently than the typical homeowner, you will need to cleanse and substitute it more frequently.

In an effort to get your string trimmer to function smoothly, you might be tempted to bypass the filter and let the air flow directly into the engine. Even if you need to do it for just a minute or two, please don’t.

If you let dirt and debris into the engine, you risk damaging it for good.

If the air filter in your Troy-Bilt is unclean or damaged, you should cleanse it or replace it.

To maintain the cleanliness of the air filter in a Troy-Bilt FOAM string trimmer, you should:

• Take off the air filter and its cover.
  
• The foam air filter can be easily cleaned with water and a light detergent.
  
• Make sure the water coming out of the filter is clear, and then set it aside to dry in the air.
  
• When the filter is dry, use clean SAE 30 engine oil to lightly soak it. Squeeze the filter to remove any extra oil.
  
• Make sure the filter is back in place.
  
• Securely fasten the filter cover back into place.

For information on how to clean different types of air filters, please refer to the appropriate user handbook.

Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Loses Power Due to Dirty Spark Plug

Power loss and erratic sparking might be caused by carbon accumulation on the spark plug. Take off the spark plug and inspect it to make sure it is in working order.

A new spark plug should be used if the old one is damaged or has a particularly dark color.

If the plug is only somewhat filthy, you might try cleaning it with a little wire brush. Since the plug is essential to the proper operation of a Troy-Bilt trimmer, I like to change it to make sure it isn’t the cause of the problem.

Examine the space between the electrodes next. This needs to be gapped according to Troy-guidelines. Bilt’s The wire connecting the spark plug to the ignition system must also be tightly fastened. A loss of power might be caused by a spark plug wire that is loose or has an improper gap.

Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Loses Power Due to Clogged Fuel Filter

A fuel filter, often cylindrical in shape, can be found within the fuel tank. Affixed to the gasoline supply line.

To prevent dirt and other pollutants from entering the fuel system and wearing down the engine, the fuel must be strained as it goes through the filter.

Each year, you should get the fuel filter replaced to keep it in top shape. Plugging it reduces the fuel flow via it.

The engine’s power can drop if fuel is cut back.

If your fuel filter is clogged and preventing a steady flow of gas, you should replace it.

Make sure the fuel in the tank is clean and free of any debris or dirt. Toss out the fuel and put in new, clean fuel if it looks unclean or has been sitting for a long time.

Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Loses Power Due to a Clogged Fuel Line

Gummy deposits left behind by old petrol might clog the fuel line. Clogging the fuel line reduces the fuel flow since there is less room for the fuel to travel through.

The problem can be solved by checking the gasoline line for obstructions. If your fuel line is clogged, bent, or cracked, you need to get a new one.

The Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Loses Power Due to a Dirty Carburetor

To control the ratio of fuel to air in a Troy-Bilt string trimmer’s combustion process, a carburetor is installed. The carburetor’s small internal components can become gummed up and stuck if the fuel has been sitting for a while.

If you have a basic understanding of mechanics, cleaning your carburetor shouldn’t be too much of a problem for you. The carburetor can be disassembled and cleaned using special cleaning.

If the carburetor still doesn’t work after being cleaned, you can either get a repair kit for it or buy a new Troy-Bilt one.

Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Loses Power Due to Blocked Fuel Tank Vent

The fuel cap on a Troy-Bilt generator is also the vent for the fuel tank. If the gasoline tank cap becomes defective and prevents air from escaping, the fuel tank will develop a vacuum.

Due to the absence of air, the fuel supply to the carburetor is impeded.

In order to check if the fuel tank vent is clogged, you should lay the string timmer on a level surface and remove the fuel cap to let air into the tank. Take care to prevent gasoline from leaking from the tank.

The fuel tank vent may be clogged if the engine no longer bogs down when the throttle is depressed.

Make sure the fuel cap is secure and run your Troy-Bilt trimmer to confirm the issue. If it starts to sputter after being operated for a while and improves when the fuel cap is loosened, the problem is likely caused by a faulty cap.

The fuel tank vent is located in the fuel tank lid on some models and on a fuel line protruding from the fuel tank on others. It is necessary to replace the fuel tank vent.

Power Loss in a Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Due to a Clogged Spark Arrestor

A spark arrestor is a small screen that is fastened to the muffler to prevent sparks and flaming debris from shooting out of the exhaust system.

This tiny screen has the potential to get soot-clogged, blocking airflow. The effect could be a drop in power for you.

The spark plug wire needs to be disconnected. Take off the hood and the exhaust cover. Carefully take off the spark arrestor screen. Use a tiny metal brush to scrub it.

A replacement screen should be installed if the old one is too dirty, too damaged, or has a hole in it to be repaired.

Adjusting Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Carburetors

Changing the RPMs at idle and full throttle may require adjusting the carburetor. The trimmer’s harsh operation could be due to the engine running too lean or too rich.

The carburetor has adjusting screws for this purpose, although you’ll probably need a specialized instrument.

If none of the above have worked, take the trimmer into a local Troy-Bilt repair center and have a technician do diagnostics and make any necessary carburetor adjustments. If the carburetor is over-tweaked, the engine could be ruined.

Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Loses Power Due to Carbon Buildup in Exhaust Port

Carbon buildup in the exhaust port behind the muffler is a common cause of string trimmer not running issues.

When the problems above haven’t restored power, it’s time to check and clean this part of the house.

The exhaust port and muffler should be cleaned by a professional mechanic to prevent any damage to the trimmer. It’s easy to break the trimmer beyond repair if you’re not careful.

Cleaning it yourself might be dangerous, so ensure the engine and muffler are cool before you start.

Take off the top of the engine, the exhaust system, and the heat shield. Just make sure the port is completely covered by the piston. If carbon were to fall into the cylinder, this would prevent that from happening.

Carbon buildup around the exhaust port? No problem, just use a plastic scraper to get rid of it. Please, NO metal implements!

Neither the piston nor the cylinder should be scratched in any way. Put everything back together in the same order that they were taken apart.

When Should You Have Your Troy-Bilt String Trimmer Fixed by a Professional?

If the preceding troubleshooting steps fail to restore power or if you lack the confidence to make the necessary repairs, it may be time to have your tiny engine inspected by a professional.

One of your neighbors or friends probably knows of a reliable small engine repair company in the area. If you need to locate a retailer who sells Troy-Bilt products, you can do so by visiting this page.

When I have a serious problem, I take it to the dealership to get help from the factory’s skilled technicians. All testing requirements can be met because they have the right tools. They sell original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components and can handle product warranties.

You should think about the cost of the mechanic’s time to identify the issue before scheduling an appointment. A flat amount is usually charged to figure out what’s wrong, and then you’ll have to pay for the labor and parts to fix it.

If your old, cheap Troy-Bilt trimmer is on its final legs, it may not be worth it to pay for a diagnostic cost, parts, and labor.

Whether or whether it’s worth fixing your current string trimmer depends on factors including how old it is, how reliable it is, and how much it would cost. Maybe a new Troy-Bilt string trimmer would be a better choice.