Performing routine maintenance on your edger is essential to keep it performing at its best. It will also help you catch small problems before they developed into larger ones.
To help you identify common ECHO edger problems so you can perform troubleshooting procedures, I have put together tables with links providing information in more detail.
Always follow the safety procedures found in your ECHO operator’s manual. This includes waiting for the engine to cool and for all parts to stop moving. Remove the spark plug wire prior to performing repairs.
Common ECHO Edger Problems:
- Edger won’t start
- Edger starts then dies
- Edger runs rough and sputters
- Edger only runs with the choke on
- Edger loses power and bogs down
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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual prior to diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.
Repair Common ECHO Edger Problems & Solutions
ECHO Edger Starting Problem
When identifying a starting problem with your edger, look for items that can restrict air, fuel, and spark required to start the engine.
Ensure the fuel is fresh and the gas-to-oil fuel mixture is at a ratio of 50:1. Running a straight gas will cause the engine to seize because it lacks lubrication.
ECHO edgers require unleaded gas with a minimum 89 octane rating and maximum 10% ethanol content mixed with a premium 2-cycle engine oil like Echo Power Blend or Echo Red Armor.
Detailed information can be found at:
Reasons Your Echo Edger Won’t Start
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
| Bad or old fuel | Fuel breaks down over time making the fuel less efficient and prone to clogging the fuel system. | Drain the fuel tank and fill it with fresh gas and 2-cycle oil. mix at a ratio of 50:1. Use a fuel additive like Sea Foam to stabilize the fuel and assist with cleaning the fuel system. Use the right fuel. |
| Incorrect 2-cycle oil mix | An incorrect mix can fail to provide the lubrication the engine requires. | Mix gas and 2-cycle engine oil at a 50:1 ratio. Use gas with a minimum 89-octane rating and maximum 10% ethanol content. |
| Bad spark plug | A dirty or damaged spark plug; loose spark plug wire, or incorrect gap can prevent the engine from starting. | Replace with a new spark plug, secure connections, and ensure it is gapped to manufacturer specifications |
| Plugged air filter | Dirt can plug the air filter preventing airflow | Remove the filter and clean it. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition. |
| Plugged fuel filter | A dirty fuel filter will restrict fuel flow. | Replace the fuel filter. |
| Blocked fuel lines | Deposits left behind by old fuel and dirt can clog the fuel lines preventing the engine from getting fuel. | Use a carburetor cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line. Replace the line if necessary. |
| Plugged fuel tank vent | A plugged fuel tank vent will no longer allow the tank to vent. A vacuum will form keeping fuel to flow out of the tank. | Replace a plugged fuel tank vent. |
| Plugged spark arrestor | Hot air isn’t able to exit the edger when the spark arrestor is plugged with soot. | Clean the spark arrestor screen. |
| Dirty carburetor | The carburetor can become dirty and clogged due to bad fuel and ethanol deposits preventing fuel flow. | Clean the components making up the carburetor. Replace it if needed. |
| Bad primer bulb | A cracked primer bulb will fail to move fuel to the carburetor. | Replace the primer bulb |
| Flooded engine | The fuel-to-air mixture is running too rich that it can’t ignite. This can be caused by pressing the primer bulb too many times or pulling the starter rope too many times while the choke is closed. | Turn the switch to the run position. Move the choke lever to the run position. Press the throttle trigger while pulling the starter rope over and over. |
| Broken starter recoil | A damaged or broken recoil prevents the recoil from starting your engine. | Check the recoil to see if it can be restrung. Broken parts must be replaced. Replace the recoil assembly if needed. |
ECHO Edger Starts Then Dies
Many of the items that prevent an ECHO edger from starting are also the same items that can cause it to stall and die after it’s been running.
If the edger starts and then dies right away, make sure you are starting it correctly. The choke lever must be placed in the on position to restrict airflow to start a cold engine.
Once the engine warms, it must be placed in the off position or the engine will no longer run.
Detailed information can be found at:
Your ECHO Edger Starts, Stalls and Dies
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
| Wrong choke setting | The engine will die when the choke lever isn’t placed in the open position after the engine warms. | Close the choke to restrict air to start a cold engine. Open it once the engine warms. |
| Bad fuel | Fuel breaks down over time making your fuel less efficient and prone to clogging the fuel system and engine damage. | Drain the fuel tank and fill it with fresh fuel and 2-cycle engine oil mixed at a ratio of 50:1. Use a fuel additive like Sea Foam to stabilize the fuel and assist with cleaning the fuel system. |
| Plugged air filter | Dirt can plug the air filter preventing airflow. | Remove the filter and clean it. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition. |
| Plugged fuel filter | A plugged fuel filter won’t allow sufficient gas to pass through it. | Replace the fuel filter |
| Clogged fuel lines | Bad fuel deposits and dirt can build up and clog the fuel lines preventing the engine from getting the required fuel. | Use a carb cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line |
| Dirty carburetor | The carburetor can become dirty and clogged due to bad fuel and ethanol deposits preventing fuel flow | Clean all the components making up the carburetor. Rebuild or replace if needed. |
| Plugged fuel tank vent | A plugged fuel tank vent will no longer allow the tank to vent. A vacuum will form keeping fuel to flow out of the tank. | Replace a plugged fuel tank vent. |
| Plugged spark arrestor | The spark arrestor can plug with soot so hot air can no longer exhaust. | Remove the spark arrestor screen and clean it with a metal brush. Replace a damaged screen |
ECHO Edger Runs Rough and Sputters
An ECHO edger runs rough and sputters when the engine isn’t getting sufficient fuel, the spark plug is dirty, or hot exhaust air is not able to exit the edger.
Detailed information can be found at:
Your ECHO Edger is Running Rough and Sputters
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
| Old fuel | Old fuel leaves behind gummy deposits that can restrict fuel and cause component failure. | Remove old fuel and replace it with fresh gas and 2-cycle engine oil mix at a ratio of 50:1. Add a fuel additive like Sea Foam Motor Treatment to stabilize gas and clean the fuel system. |
| Dirty spark plug | The intermittent spark from a dirty spark plug can cause it to run sluggishly. | Replace the spark plug. |
| Plugged fuel filter | A good flow of fuel is not able to pass through a plugged fuel filter. | Replace the fuel filter. |
| Clog fuel lines | Fuel is restricted when the fuel line develops a clog due to old fuel or dirt. | Clean or replace the fuel line. |
| Plugged fuel tank vent | When the fuel tank is unable to vent, it forms a vacuum that keeps fuel from leaving the tank. | Replace the fuel tank vent. |
| Plugged air filter | The air filter can become plugged with so much dirt that sufficient air isn’t able to pass through it. | Replace the air filter. |
| Dirty carburetor | Fuel passageways in the carburetor become plugged with old gas deposits keeping sufficient fuel from getting to the engine. | Remove the carburetor and clean it. Rebuild or replace it if needed. |
| Plugged spark arrestor | Hot exhaust air isn’t able to exit the edger when the spark arrestor is plugged with soot. | Remove and clean the spark arrestor screen. |
ECHO Edger Runs With the Choke On
When your ECHO edger only runs with the choke on, you need to look for items that restrict fuel flow or allow too much air to get to the engine. The edger may need the choke engaged to correct the fuel-to-air ratio so the mixture is ignited.
You will also need to look for items that are allowing too much air to get into the system. Pulling in too much air will cause you to have to restrict air using the choke.
Detailed information can be found at:
Your ECHO Edger Only Runs with the Choke On
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Old fuel | Old fuel can leave behind varnish and deposits that cause fuel restrictions and fuel component failures. | Drain the fuel tank. Refill with fresh gas and 2-cycle oil mixed at a ratio of 50:1. Add a fuel stabilizer and fuel system cleaner. Start and allow the fuel to work its way through the fuel system. |
| Fuel line puncture | Air can be sucked into the line increasing the amount of air getting to the engine. | Replace the fuel line. Check for fuel line restrictions. |
| Plugged fuel filter | A dirty plugged air filter restricts airflow. | Replace the air filter. |
| Bad carburetor gasket | The gasket may no longer seal allowing excess air into the carburetor. | Remove the carburetor and replace the gasket. |
| Dirty carburetor | Fuel passages can clog and no longer allow sufficient gas for the combustion process. | Remove and clean the carburetor. Rebuild or replace it if needed. |
| Plugged fuel tank vent | A plugged fuel tank vent will cause a vacuum to form in the fuel tank. This will keep fuel from flowing out of the tank. | Replace the fuel tank vent. |
ECHO Edger Loses Power and Bogs Down
When you feel your ECHO edger isn’t giving you good power or is bogging down, the cause is often a dirty carburetor and other items that are restricting fuel.
Other items to check are those that keep hot air from exiting the edger, air from getting to the engine or spark from igniting the fuel and air mixture.
Detailed information can be found at:
Reasons ECHO Edger Has No Power
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Old fuel | Old fuel can leave behind varnish and deposits that cause fuel restrictions and fuel component failures. | Drain the fuel tank. Refill with fresh gas and 2-cycle oil mixed at a ratio of 50:1. Add a fuel stabilizer and fuel system cleaner. Start and allow the fuel to work its way through the fuel system. |
| Plugged air filter | Good airflow cannot pass through a plugged air filter. | Replace the air filter. |
| Dirty spark plug | A dirty spark plug can cause an intermittent spark. | Clean or replace the spark plug. |
| Plugged fuel filter | Sufficient fuel is unable to pass through a plugged filter. | Replace the fuel filter. |
| Clogged fuel line | Clogged fuel lines can keep fuel from getting to the carburetor. | Try to clean the fuel line or replace it. |
| Plugged fuel tank vent | A plugged fuel tank vent will cause a vacuum to form in the fuel tank. This will keep fuel from flowing out of the tank. | Replace the fuel tank. |
| Plugged spark arrestor | The spark arrestor can plug with soot so hot air can no longer exhaust. | Remove the spark arrestor screen and clean it with a wire brush. |
| Carbon buildup on the exhaust port | Carbon that builds up in the exhaust port and hot air isn’t able to exit through the muffler. | Clean the exhaust port. |
| Dirty carburetor | Fuel passages can clog and no longer allow sufficient gas for the combustion process. | Clean the carburetor to remove varnish left behind by old fuel. Rebuild or replace it if necessary. |
Don’t Skip Maintenance on Your ECHO Edger
While you will experience a problem with your ECHO edger at some time, you can minimize significant problems by performing regular routine service.
I recommend completing a full maintenance service on your ECHO edger once a year to keep it in good condition.
The annual service includes replacing the maintenance parts: air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug. You should also check the fuel system and cooling system, and clean the exterior.
Tighten any loose hardware and replace any damaged or missing parts. In addition to this, you must inspect the edger before use to make sure it is in good condition before operating.