...but only if I rotate the whole thing. If I keep it rotated so the fuel tank is vertical, with the cap at 12 o'clock, it will run. If I rotate the trimmer to it's user position where the tank is horizontal and the gas cap is on the side, it quits. The lines to and from the tank, the grommet, and the filter were new last year. I put fresh (been in a sealed container over the winter) fuel in it.
It's a Toro if that means anything to anyone.
Is the weighted fuel pickup inside the tank flopping around like it's supposed to? I had one where the hose became brittle and fell apart, so the trimmer only ran at certain angles.
In reply to BenB :
I did check that. Plus the tank is full so it should not have any issues pulling fuel.
Check for a degraded fuel line in the tank.
Browse the Chickanic YouTube channel. I think she did a video about that problem.
In reply to dj06482 (Forum Supporter) :Lines are fine.
ddavidv said:Browse the Chickanic YouTube channel. I think she did a video about that problem.
I saw that too. It was recent.
Steves Small Engine Saloon is good too
I fixed mine with a Ryobi 40v trimmer. Now it fires up every single time.
You didn't mention a model so I don't know if this is applicable or not but some of those have fuel pumps built into the carburetor and if that's gummed up it'll do exactly what you're describing.
I do have to say that Like Scotty Con Queso I much prefer a cordless string trimmer unless you've got a really big lot. We've got both a really nice gas powered Stihl trimmer and a Makita cordless and we never use the Stihl.
It's stuff like this that made me go electric too. May seem lazy, but I'd rather spend my time farting with something I want to.
Fuel metering diaphragm has probably hardened up. Its the "fuel pump". It flexes and allows fuel in. Ethanol "gas" hardens the diaphragm.
i didnt watch the whole video but this guy seems to explain it well enough.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=139&v=jWBre4-tHsg&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title
Scotty Con Queso said:I fixed mine with a Ryobi 40v trimmer. Now it fires up every single time.
I had a big bad-ass Stihl and my wife, who couldn't start it, went out and bought a little Dewalt 20V "toy". I laughed. Until I used it. Haven't started the Stihl in 2 years now 
Another vote for trashing it and going electric. Even the cheap ones work well, I have a half hour of string trimming and need 3 batteries on my old B&D but still better than messing with a noisy gas one.
If you elect to keep and repair the gas unit, it might be worth your while to pop the limiter caps off the mixture screws and put a decent tune on it. For years, I accepted the fact that my trimmer was inherently junk, a recalcitrant pig. It's a Poulan Pro, positioned at the top end of what a department store might carry, sort of not quite prosumer, just expensive enough that it ought to do what it says on the box. After I rebuilt the carburetor and started playing with the mixture screws, it became a whole different animal. It starts easily, will idle indefinitely, and positively rips at WOT, none of which was true with the factory tune. With a good bump-feed head (Echo Speed Feed) it's actually an effective machine.
When this one finally gives up, I will probably go electric, but for now at least I can use what I have and not resent it the whole time.
Well, I need a lawnmower too and Ryobi is giving a trimmer for free with a mower purchase. So...
Huzzah!
So in dismantling the unit I realized I hadn't check the little black fuel line from the carb to the bulb. Bingo. Cracked.
Replaced and running! Sometimes it's the simple things.
The last time mine acted up I jacked it up and replaced it with a 60v Craftsman.
I was so happy with the new one I went back and bought the chainsaw and blower and gave all my gas stuff to a neighbor.
I threatened the mower with an electric replacement but it still starts on the first pull every time and just keeps running.
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