Homelite weed eater gas trimmer will not run - how to rebuild weedeater carburetor - clean Zama carb

I knew this is almost 9 years old video but still a great reference video repair tutorial. Things that I would like to point out on this tutorial are, first you must not blow a compress air directly into the primer base check valves as it will damage the check valve. Inside that check valve has a round tiny rubber disc which could dislodge when blew with compressed air. Second, pay attention on the metering side as this is very critical on the engine performance and tuning. The metering diaphragm and gasket was installed in the wrong orientation. You must place the gasket first before the diaphragm as the clearance of the diaphragm to the metering lever is very critical. When the diaphragm is way too close to the metering lever, it could open the needle valve too much and become too rich in fuel and it's hard to tune and also it's hard to revs as what you observed at the end of the video. Third, use the correct rebuild kit. For this carburetor, the correct rebuild kit is ZAMA RB-28 or ZAMA GND-49. The GND-12 metering gasket is 0.2mm thicker which makes the diaphragm 0.2mm higher when installed properly. You don't need a special gauge to adjust the height of the metering lever for this type of carburetor. Just use a straight ruler and place on the surface of the metering face and adjust the metering lever just to touch with the ruler. I just came across with this video and just would like to share my thought. Good effort and well done! It's a good reference. VARIETECH

While I didn't have the rebuild parts, I followed along with the video and gave it a good cleaning. Runs like a champ now! Thanks

After watching your video, I worked on my own carburator....IT WORKED!!!!!....THANKS!!!

Thanks Man for this video. I found one of these by a dumpster which was not working but always wanted one. Reviewed the Video bought a carb kit of ebay and BAM! this bad boy is running. Thanks Man!

Thanks a a heap mate, knew very little about what to do but took my old one apart and cleaned all the parts and she's running amazingly now, thanks for the great tutorial.

Good video, Good camera work. Yeah the metering diaphram and gasket were installed in the wrong order but I applaud the effort. I dont make "how to videos" just because everyone's an expert or just rude. I mostly share hard to find problems or whatever I FEEL LIKE! Stihl,Husqvarva,Echo trolls should just move along. This guy is offering up a solution to a problem that exhists. Thank You DIY!

33 overpriced small engine repair shops gave you thumbs down. Nice work. You did more than I would have done by buying new parts. I always take the carbs apart and try a 2 day soak in Sea Foam or MMO with running a fine wire through the passages followed by compressed air and a re-use of the gaskets and diaphragms first. I almost always get lucky that way unless the diaphragms are really old and brittle. Soaking the diaphragms in 2 stroke oil softens them, too. I'm such a cheap Mo-Fo. LOL.

Nice job. One thing I've found that doesn't get discussed which I believe can affect performance is how poorly machined many of the Zama carbs are on critical surfaces from the factory. Some have fairly deep grooves and dents in the machined surfaces where I think it really counts. As a result of this I have a small thick sheet of glass that's perfectly flat and some 320 wet and dry paper. I wet everything up well and hand lap at least two surfaces if they're rough. Also due to the discoloration of the aluminum, you can see 'low spots". The critical surfaces would be the surface that goes up against the engine. If there are deep grooves or dents there, it's a place for air to leak causing the engine to run lean and have a laggy response to opening the throttle. . the other surface is the surface the flapper valves go up against. I take a few minutes and hand lap 3 surfaces. The diaphragm side (not so critical), the flapper valve side (critical), and the engine side of the carb (critical).. I use water or window cleaner spray and carefully slide the body back and forth. Doesn't take a lot of time.

Your a life saver! Took mine apart about 20 times trying to figure out after rebuilding..lol

glad Johnny noticed that the gasket goes before the diaphragm: Johnny is sharp,

Thank you for your help and time. I just cleaned it with carburetor cleaner and assembled back.

I took mine Homelite trimmer carb apart and blew it out and the needle valves that are recessed that require a special tool to adjust inside a walled in casing I just took a dremel tool and cut a slit for a straight tip screwdriver to access the adjustment.  Works fine now except for the low compression from it running hot before the adjustment.

Great video! Mine is a homelite also and it needs a carb rebuild. This video will be a big help.

Sometimes replacing the carb is the best thing to do. Empty the tank and check if the fuel filter came off. See if the fuel line is rotted and broke off. Replace the diaphragm. It includes the pump. Look at the name, Zama etc. and the carburetor number to find which kit to use. Wildthing 18" chainsaws have identical carbs. but the top cover is different. It's a Walbro. Measure the I.D. and O.D. of the fuel fitting to find the right hose.

Thanks for making a good video. I have seen to many instructional videos made on someone's pos camera phone. This one was stable and contained good info. Also thank you other commenters fit the god additional information. The plug in the carb he mentioned should be drilled out cleaned out and replaced. Should that piece coffee with the proper carb kit? And what of some of the other things mentioned? That should be checked in the carb? I want all the info i can before I tackle this little project.

When you removed the primer bulb section of the carb there is a small screen you over looked it is plugged with crud. I've had to clean mine out many times when I couldn't get it to run right. I was surprised to see you overlook that many times.

Thanks for the video. Other videos on YouTube where saying to put the gasket on first and then the metering diaphragm and I couldn't understand why it would not start. Saw your video and switched them diaphragm first then gasket and it started right up. Thanks 🍺

Go to E-bay and buy a new carb for around 10 bucks. Free shipping.

Excellent Video ....I've had this weed eater for years...it ran fine but I think I got some bad gas and subsequently it started to stall ...had no idea how it came apart but it looks like and easy fix ...noticed you did no adjusting of mixtures ...any reason why ? Anyhow...well done !

Good video, very informative and a clear explanation on how to do  the job.Cheers