Poulan featherlite model Starts on the first pull, runs flawlessly, then consistantly after about 5 minutes, shuts off like someone turned it off. If you try to restart, you get nothing, not even a sputter. It's just dead. You then have to wait for it to completely cool to restart. (Couple hours). Yes, the choke is open, no, I'm not bumping the kill switch, plenty of fresh- properly mixed - fuel, position makes no difference. It will die while under full throttle, and it wll die while idling.
This to me sounds like vapor lock. The trimmer starts and runs fine and you only have the problem after the machine gets hot. Then the machine runs fine again after cooling.
Vapor lock is when gasoline overheats and boils inside the carburetor bowl and it ceases to flow. The machine could be over heating. The cause of this can be varied. Some of the possible issues could be a clogged carburetor, maladjusted carburetor, dirty engine block or clogged cooling fan or the fuel/oil mix is not correct, the gas tank vent is clogged or the gas cap is clogged(if it's self venting).
What I would tend to do... Re-mix the fuel/oil mix. Make sure it's correct.
Run the machine untill it shuts down. Place machine on the ground, remove the gas cap and replace it on the machine. Try to re-start. If machine starts, then replace the gas cap and tank vent.
If the machine is oily or dirty, then wash it with a presure washer. (Save the earth a bit and do that at the self serve car wash. They treat the grey water and it will only cost a buck or two..) Take the cover off and make sure it's clean under there. Remember it's an air cooled machine and what looks like a little dirt can really make a difference in it's ability to cool it's self.
If the above actions do little to correct the issues, then you'll have to have the carburetor looked at.
Thanks for the suggestions,I'll look into it this weekend. I'm thinking it's something with the carb, since the machine itself looks brand new. No oil, grime, buildup on the cooling fins, nothing. I'll try that test with the gas cap, and see if it has any effect. Thanks!
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