Came across this old FS80AV string trimmer in really nice shape at a garage sale for $50. It has 165 psi of compression and looks like it has seen little use. It sorta ran when I got it, but the spark plug looked as if was running lean. Filled up the tank with fresh 40:1 non-ethanol premium, added a cap full of Sea Foam, and let it run at about 6000 rpm with the choke half on. Just wanted to see it that would help. I let it run through the tank while sitting on the bench, then checked the plug. It looked about right. Loaded up another tank of fuel and started right up, but still wouldn't run above 7500 rpm, so I let it burn through the second tank of fuel on the bench. At the end of the second tank there was still no improvement, so I replaced the fuel line and bypassed the priming bulb, and now it barely runs. <sigh> It seems all the all the posts about the demonically possessed TK carburetors is true. I then pulled the cover and took a look at the carburetor diaphragm and it wasn't very flexible. Put it back in, and now I can't even get it started. Not sure if I should just use the common parts as spares for my FS86, install a carb kit in the TK, or purchase a more modern style carburetor and air filter housing.
Suggestions from those that have traveled down this path would be most welcome.
Suggestions from those that have traveled down this path would be most welcome.