At 10+ years, the carb. diaphragms could be due for a change.

If it is 10 years old just buy a replacement carb off ebay. They have a generic Ruing which completely replaces the K70 carburetors.

The price of some of the repair kits is insane.

I just purchased one for $12 shipped. I installed it and I didn't even need to adjust it except for the idle stop.

how hard is it to replace the carb...I pretty much have only done filters in the past...what a oem carb cost?

The carb replacement is easy. Time to replace less than 10 minutes.

Remove the air filter cover, remove the air filter, remove 2 bolts, remove gas lines, remove carb. unhook cable, remove gasket . And go in reverse. Remember to use a gasket sealer on the new gasket.

I do not use the oem the Chinese Ruing units work like the new.

Just look up the model # of the carb mine was a RB-K70

Are these 2-cycles? If so, you may need to adjust the Hi and Lo mixtures or at least move the needle valves in case there's some crud built up there. Using treated gas, you should be nearly immune from carb trouble but sometimes mixtures get a little cockeyed over the years. Typically hard-starting is a fuel starvation issue and running issues can go any number of ways. If they are '4-cycling' (firing on every other stroke) it usually is too rich. If they don't have a good throttle response and tend to slow down its usually too lean.

Then if this doesn't fix it you can go with the new carb. You probably will have to get a special screwdriver to fit your particular application on the needle valves. The government forced them to make them difficult to adjust because of emissions. Unfortunately it also makes most of these tools impossible to use. I got my tool on ebay and it was the best $3 I ever spent. My Ryobi is tame and sweet as a house cat now, but I was ready to shoot the darn thing before I was able to adjust the mixtures. It would not start or run, basically. That pretty much does it as far as being able to use the tool you paid for.

I buy mid-range gas and use Sta-Bil 360 Marine in it plus about an ounce a gallon of Marvel Mystery Oil, plus my regular mix oil (synthetic blend at 50:1). Same for the 4-cycles except for the mix oil, of course. Every gas engine on my place, vehicles included, stay happy and sweet. The vehicles do not get the MMO except in the oil a few days before an oil change.

Point #1 ! Be very careful when changing out air & fuel filters , they regulate air and fuel mixtures along with the carburator jetting . Always ensure that you are getting the proper micron filtration spec,d by the manufacturer . 2nd point , as for additives at least within 2-strokes you will find that many of the Preimum Synthetic Oil Manufacturers Eg: (Amsoil Sabre) already have fuel conditioners and stabilizers and therefore additional treatment is not warranted. However within 4-Stroke units I still add Startron or MMO or Seafoam, especially as Sax has mentioned prior to oil and filter changes . The Solvency factor of the latter two assist in reducing sludge and carbon buildup and suspend same prior to dumping your oil and filter . P.S. Using proper Oils and Fuel conditioner management would most likely reduced the need for carburator cleaning or replacement on these Echo units . I realize for some op,s replacing a carb is easier than trying to tune one after refurbishing . Just food for thought . All the Best !

Well,

I have installed to date 30 new carburetors. All from China. I did not need to adjust any jets. Repeat I did not have to adjust any jets. Just the idle stop.

All are factory set.

They have the pac man screw I have the tool , but once again I have never needed to use it.

And the Ruing is better than the Zamas and Walbro.

Pretty Broad Statements Bro ! I think we all realize the New Tuning Tools Required. Pac Man , Double D or Spline1 or Spline7 or careful Dremel Usage. As for Ruixing Carbs as Factory Set (Tuned), find that a little sketchy since normally all diaphragm jetted carb replacements require tweaking for optimium performance due to wear or varing area Temperature , Altitude and Relative Humidity throughout the World. I personally prefer Keihin Small Engine carbs , since all needles and jets are Nickel coated or 307 Stainless dependant on which series you purchase. Majority of Chineese Manufacturered carbs do not offer these upgrades. Especially important within Ethanol Usage on these small engine components. As for pricing , majority of rebuild kits are $3 to $9 bucks . I do agree however that in most cases op do not have the expertise to rebuild and tune a carb properly , therefore a changeout may seem the most prudent choice initially. As for Ruixing vs Zama or Walbro , don't believe either offshore unit has a finite advantage today. However after 40 yrs of rebuilding and tuning various Small Engine carbs (100 +) I have yet to find a universally Factory Tuned Carb for any application. Sorry this just defys 2-Stroke Tuning Physics Bro ! Your Rebutal is Welcomed !!!

After providing model number and s/n, dealer said the carb for my GT2000 type E was $67. Considering another $15 for gaskets and a new plug, OEM air filter and oem fuel filter I am not sure it worth it when a new one is $129...????

for how often I use a trimmer and where I use it, a battery op model may suffice. Any comments. I have had bad luck with a B&D blower...I use it to occasionally blow out the garage and for incidentals where I don't want to get all gas smelled up...battery dies in minutes...but good luck with a B&D hedge trimmer using same 18V battery...lasts over a half hour....I'd need a trimmer that lasted 10 minutes or so....no idea what these suckers cost vs gas...

If you could take current carb apart and clean, that might fix it for no additional expense, although the carb kits are less than $10.

Toro Electric would be least expensive (Quality) unit that I would suggest . 24 Volt , curved shaft and would provide 20-30 minute duration use between charges. ($129.00) Otherwise a Stihl fsa 120 Volt Corded same above features ($149.00) or Echo cts-58 Volt ($229.00) . Not cheap , unfortunate that you , cannot rebuild or clean current carb as advised , not rocket science , approx. 20 minute job . Worst case scenario as mdstamen suggests order an after market carb.

Yes, I will try to clean..when I removeI assume there will be a number so I can order the gasket kit...failing that perhaps an aftermarket...failing that either a new gas one (maybe straight shaft for a change) or an electric) Thanks...

Hey one of my sons bought an EGO rechargeable mower and now is going to sell his gas mower. Then, he got the blower that takes the same battery. I imagine they also have a trimmer. This is not the same old tired crap - its new tech and these things are powerful and have plenty of operating time to complete your job.