Small Engine Advice

I have a Craftsman string trimmer that's about 12 years old. Until a few weeks ago it started and ran great. It failed to start and I found the primer bulb cracked, so I replaced it. Now it still won't start. I replaced the gas with new and made sure the mix is right, there is fuel in the primer bulb. The compression doesn't feel any different when trying to start. There was spark in the plug, but I replaced it anyway. Still won't even think about firing even with starter fluid.
Any suggestions where to look next? And yeah, I know it's twelve years old. If I have to replace it I'll get a Ryobi 40V, but I'd rather not spend $190.

 

Pull the plug and leave it attached to the plug wire. Pull the cord and watch for a spark. If there is no spark it may be the wire. Or the contact points may be burned out.
I am only assuming this because you said it still wont start with starting fluid.

 

Never mind you already said it had spark.

 

What about the carburetor, take apart n clean it? YouTube has been a big help for me all my small engine tools are pretty much same age as yours took all carbs off cleaned out new plugs, filters, all run like new

 

I tried cleaning my trimmer carburetor. I got it to start momentarily which told me the engine was good. But the orifices are too small and difficult to clean. I ended up ordering a new carburetor on Amazon for $17. Put it on and it fired right up. Look into it. The carburetor gets varnished and gummed up. My trimmer had been sitting for years. The bulb cracked as well and I replaced it. Now I put in fuel stabilizer. So far I’m having good luck, it starts every 2 weeks no problem.

 

I agree with these if it wont even hint at starting with starter fluid then that indicates a spark issue not a carburetor issue. Also if there is carbon build up in the exhaust it could keep it from having the proper back pressure needed for a 2 stroke to run properly so you could clean that out. If it backfires or pops through the muffler your ignition timing could be wrong.

 

I switched to a Ryobi 40v and am super happy with it. No more messing with carb cleaner and rebuilds.

 

A burnt or cracked intake or exhaust valve? Like @ColoradoTJ said, compression check time.

 

Appreciate all. Tomorrow's agenda, start easy by pulling the muffler, then clean carb. If no bueno then buy the ryobi and keep the craftsman for forensic investigation. I did a compression test by the thumb on the spark plug hole, but I don't know how much reduced compression affects these little guys.
I can't help it, even if I can't wait to fix it I still want to know what's wrong.

 

2 strokes do not have valves

 

You are correct.

 

I repair everyone small engines for everyone I know plus their friends! It is most likely your carb. You can buy a rebuild kit and a can of carb cleaner and do yourself of buy a whole carb off ebay for same price. The diaphragm in those gets weak and cant pump the gas up to the chamber. Plus there are tiny passageways that get clogged and or filled with water from cheap gas. They are really easy to fix and once you learn how you can find many that people give away because they cant get it to work. You fix for cheap then sell. If you use high octane plus a stabilizer the carbs will last many years without needing to do again

 

Turns out I need a new small engine mechanic. The last guy that worked on it (that would be me) misrouted the throttle cable so there was no tension on it. Throttle plate stayed closed with the trigger pulled.
Put it where it's supposed to be and started second pull.

 

I hope you admonished him thoroughly.

 

Absolutely. Like they say, if you want something done right, you have to....um....well...hmmm. dammit what was I trying to say?

 

Somehow, when I read this post, it made me think of this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kxig2AF1-gw

 

Yep. That would be me