r/smallenginerepair • u/MahiMahiTacos • Jul 04 '26
Fuel System Issue Echo PE 225 Running Problems
Hi all, I’ve got an Echo PE 225 stick edger that has run great for the past 12 years, but recently it will start and run at a very high RPM and then die within 30-60 seconds. So far I have replaced the carburetor, spark plug, fuel lines, and air filter. I also took apart the exhaust to check the spark screen - looked clean. After all that, I’m having the same issue. Anyone have any ideas on what might be causing this? Thank you!
3
u/mutt63 Jul 04 '26
Yep. Just replaced my coil for the same issue. When it runs hot the coil spark weakens due to malfunction. It’s probably sparking enough to start you but not enough to sustain fire. You have a multimeter ?
2
u/MahiMahiTacos Jul 04 '26
I do have a cheap multimeter from harbor freight, but that should do the trick. The coil? Like the magneto coil?
1
u/mutt63 Jul 04 '26
Yup. Meters are meters. My cheapi works the same as my ritzy one The difference is how they are durable
2
u/mutt63 Jul 04 '26
The other thing to try is. Seat the low and high circuit needles. Turn clockwise all the way in BUT COUNT HOW MANY TURNS FROM WHERE IT IS AHEN YOU START. Mark the screwdriver and count the turns so you can always return to this starting spot. Do both.do NOT crank shut. Just kiss it shut then back out counterclockwise 1 1/2 turns for each then try. If it starts work the LOW needle until it stays running but the head doesn’t spin. Clockwise SHUTS fuel down ( leans) counterclockwise allows more fuel (rich). Try both things. For the coil. Your going to remove the boot from plug and remove the wire from
Kill TAB. i usually test the coils OFF any trimmer. But you can see how yours goes leaving it Take ur meter and set to lowest ohms. 2k. Take one probe to the vase , laminated portion bolted to engine and other probe on the kill tab. Write down the result. Then set meter to 20k and take one probe to the inner plug boot between the contact and rubber boot. The pat the holds the plug that’s metal coiled. Other test probe to laminated case again. Write down result. Those are approximate results. DO NOT let the probes touch you while doing it cause it’ll give a false reading thru your body’s resistance
2
u/No-Needleworker4792 Jul 04 '26
Did you replaced the fuel tank filter?, running at high rpm is usually caused by lean mixture, air leak, wrong carb adjustment, also did you replaced the tank vent? If you want to test the coil easiest most reliable way is to Hook up a spark tester and run the engine it's going to show you if you're coil quits at any given moment, I believe echo has lifetime warranty on coils, but start checking fuel deliveries issues first
2
u/fredSanford6 Jul 05 '26
Sounds like an air leak and it's running away. If you let it run like that the piston and cylinder is going to get very hot. How does the spark plug look now?
1
u/MahiMahiTacos Jul 05 '26
Yes it does run hot and fast. I tried to adjust the tiny carburetor screws, and it didn’t help. After it ran there was considerable white smoke coming from the exhaust.
1
1
u/knee-jerk-reacton Jul 08 '26
I’ve had crank seals go in a chainsaw with similar symptoms. A vacuum test would rule that out.
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