I was using the trimmer, as usual, when it quit. No problems previously. Cleaned air filter, added gas, nothing.

Took it to a local small engine repair guy who has worked on pressure washers, lawn mowers, etc., with good results.

After about 20 minutes, he tells me, "everything looks OK, there is no carb to rebuild (not sure what that means), nothing to adjust, spark plug is good, no blockages found, I can't do anything for you".

I'm not sure where that leaves me. The trimmer looks new enough that he suggested it might still be under warranty, but alas, I bought it in April, 2005.

I'd appreciate any suggestions/advice on how to get the thing running. I am not interested in a $200 trimmer that doesn't work after one year.

Thanks for any help.

bcibiras

The carburator has gaskets and diaphrams in it and they get brittle after a while and you have to rebuild them. Aparrently your were in good shape that they did not need to be replaced. As for a repair guy that handed you back a broken piece of eqiupment..... well lets just say I wouldnt call him a "repair guy". He would of figured it out if he was any good.
First thing is to find out if you even have a spark. That will tell you if you if you have an ignition side problem or fuel/carburator side problem. Those are your two main starting points. Quick question. how old exactly is the trimmer? When I entered the PN, it came up as a 1980's Model.

358796121 is a new 4 cycle briggs...........i work on them daily, be warned that they need an ounce of oil every hour of use or every 3 tanks of gas. as for the just quitting part, sounds to me like your ignition module

I bought it new at Sears in April, 2005.

The repair guy said it had spark, with both the original and a new plug. His opinion is some type of compression deficiency due to an internal problem with a piston or valve. His solution - throw it away, and buy a new one.

I think I like an ignition module replacement better. Is this something I can attempt at home, or should I locate someone else to work on it? I did build the house I am living in, and I have a garage full of tools to keep things running. I'm willing to try, I've just not done much with small engines in the past.

If it had a valve or piston problem, it would show up in a compression test..... his solution? spend alot more money? lmao.....

What did the spark look like? nice blue snap? If it still has a warranty.....? get sears to repair it or replace it (if it has a replacement warranty)