Any small engine gurus here?

[7dogguy]

Troy Bilt TBE515 Edger, with 29cc 4 cycle engine. Service a few weeks ago - oil, air filter, new plug, fresh gas (stored without gas for winter), blade sharpened.

Used about a week ago - ran like a champ.

Now - won't even act as though it is sparking.

Checked: plug gap, spark arrestor, fuel lines for clogs (even though seeming no spark).

Assumption: there is a switch on the handle for slow/fast run. My thought is it may have for some reason disconnected.

Plan for now is use gas powered weed eater to edge and when I have time, dismantle and check the on/off switch, throttle switch, etc.

Any thoughts (other than don't buy another Troy Bilt, LOL)?

Thanks!

[quietguy]

Any thoughts (other than don't buy another Troy Bilt, LOL)?

Thanks!

Sounds like you have already figured out the problem.

You could be on the right track with a switch issue, but it could be several things.

[Guest TackleberryTom]

Remove the plug from the head and connect to plug wire, then let the metal body of the plug touch the metal(bare metal) somewhere close by and pull the starter cord and watch for spark. If there is one then you have a fuel problem. If no spark then you may have a switch problem, spark plug problem or ignition coil problem. Touching the sparkplug wire while turning over the motor will rule out the bad sparkplug issue, if it shocks you then plug is bad. You could just stick a metal object in the plug wire and have it near the engine ground metal and watch for a spark too but that is not anywhere near as exciting.

[peejman]

What they said. Pull the plug and check for spark. Smell for fuel.

Sounds like a bad ground somewhere (broken switch, loose connection, abraded wire, etc.). Start at the switch and work your way down.

[7dogguy]

Thanks for the notes, guys - when I get time, I will post on what I find is the culprit. Until then, it's the old tried and true string trimmer!

Have a great weekend!

[Guest J.D. Skull]

Check if muffler is failed up. No exhaust no start.

[z90HD]

As i've been seeing a lot of this lately. people bringing me mowers and trimmers to fix.. Check your fuel lines for cracks. I've had a run of them in the last few weeks.

[Garufa]