Cheap eBay carbs and fuel line repair

[atlarge54]

In the past couple months I've tried the cheapo eBay carbs on a Poulan leaf blower ($19), Echo leaf blower $12) and Ryobi hedge trimmer $15). So far they all worked except the hedge trimmer leaked like crazy where the lines penetrate the tank. In an attempt to fix it I removed the old carb inlets and inserted them where the lines enter the tank, so far so good. Only time will tell.

These kits seem like a decent option and some of them even include the stupid EPA adjuster tools. Hard to believe the cost compared to what a carb rebuild kit used to cost ( the miracle of slave labor). These kits even include a spark plug (I never use it though), extra primer bulbs, fuel filter(s) and spare air cleaner(s).

I've been noticing a trend lately on Marketplace where people are just throwing in the towel and giving up on the gas power tools and going electric. It is certainly easy to understand why.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

In the past couple months I've tried the cheapo eBay carbs on a Poulan leaf blower ($19), Echo leaf blower $12) and Ryobi hedge trimmer $15). So far they all worked except the hedge trimmer leaked like crazy where the lines penetrate the tank. In an attempt to fix it I removed the old carb inlets and inserted them where the lines enter the tank, so far so good. Only time will tell.

These kits seem like a decent option and some of them even include the stupid EPA adjuster tools. Hard to believe the cost compared to what a carb rebuild kit used to cost ( the miracle of slave labor). These kits even include a spark plug (I never use it though), extra primer bulbs, fuel filter(s) and spare air cleaner(s).

I've been noticing a trend lately on Marketplace where people are just throwing in the towel and giving up on the gas power tools and going electric. It is certainly easy to understand why.


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I have bought several of the cheap carbs and never had any trouble with them.

 

[m16ty]

I’ve had about a 50/50 success with those eBay carbs. They are so cheap though, just buy two, the odds are one of them will work.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I'm o'fer'one I sent it back and brought a OEM carb.

 

[MMA4T1600]

Yup! I bought a milwaukee 18 volt string trimmer and haven't used my Stihl in a couple years!

 

[Fawteen]

I might clean a carb on a small engine once if it obviously needs it. If that doesn't work, I go right to the chineseum carbs. Even at my cheap, old retired f@rt shop rates, I can't fix one as cheaply as I can replace it. Can't recall ever having one that flat didn't work. Did have a couple that didn't fit as advertised, but the vendor always took them back.

Chinese carbs and Tygon (or other ethanol rated) fuel line has rescued a raft of small engines in the last 10 years.

 

[GChief]

I have only used two on a small engines without issue, but we did make the swtich to 40v Ryobi.

I just put one on a 1949 IHC P/U that has been in storage the last 4 yrs. Fired right up with zero adjustments other than the throttle linkage, had to lower the pin at the card end about 1/8".

Batting 1000 with clone carbs

 

[JOCCO]

Pretty much the same for me ATLARGE and yes many are going to battery tools.

 

[Fred Werring]

Yup! I bought a milwaukee 18 volt string trimmer and haven't used my Stihl in a couple years!

Since we bought the Milwaukee, my wife has done the trimming around the house.
Life is good.

 

[Bill of TN]

I have used the Chinese built carbs with good results, but I priced a Stihl carb at the local Ace hardware and it was around $20. I was shocked to get the OEM for about the same price.

 

[chvet73]

Have one on my 20 year old Honda mower. Works great.

 

[JOCCO]

I have used the Chinese built carbs with good results, but I priced a Stihl carb at the local Ace hardware and it was around $20. I was shocked to get the OEM for about the same price.

WOW I would say usually an oem is like $100. More than cheap item is worth.

 

[Stephen Newell]

I've been using the cheap carbs too. Usually a kit to rebuild one cost more than a new carb. Why not?

 

[Russ from MN]

I had good luck with a couple of them on lawn mowers, but last year I ordered one for my Honda 4-wheeler, and it would not start with the new carb. it was full of gas, nothing obvious, so I shipped it back for a full refund, and somehow, I fixed the old carb!

 

[Texasmark]

In the past couple months I've tried the cheapo eBay carbs on a Poulan leaf blower ($19), Echo leaf blower $12) and Ryobi hedge trimmer $15). So far they all worked except the hedge trimmer leaked like crazy where the lines penetrate the tank. In an attempt to fix it I removed the old carb inlets and inserted them where the lines enter the tank, so far so good. Only time will tell.

These kits seem like a decent option and some of them even include the stupid EPA adjuster tools. Hard to believe the cost compared to what a carb rebuild kit used to cost ( the miracle of slave labor). These kits even include a spark plug (I never use it though), extra primer bulbs, fuel filter(s) and spare air cleaner(s).

I've been noticing a trend lately on Marketplace where people are just throwing in the towel and giving up on the gas power tools and going electric. It is certainly easy to understand why.


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I just put a cheap carb on a BS 20HP V twin with a simplistic non bowl type el cheapo OEM carb. Seems the only thing keeping fuel in the elevated tank (on a riding mower) was a little O-ring in the carb......occurring after several years of ownership. With the new carb I also installed a shut off in the fuel line from the tank to the engine.....all I have to do now is remember to use it, both ways on and off.