I Don't Get It.

All kinds of possibilities...... maybe different carbs with different internal gaskets and pumps.

BTW, I wouldn't say an ethanol related carb problem results in a dead machine. Rebuilding one is not too daunting and it's cheap.

I picked up a like new (I mean like BRAND SPANKING NEW) McCulloch Pro Mac 610 on craigslist several years back for 50 bucks. It didn't run. It may have been put through one small load of firewood, I mean it was barely used at all. After investigating it, found the carb was the culprit. It was like brand new inside that carb, but something got into one of the venturies or small inner passageways in tha carburetor (most likely a small piece of metal from when the saw was assembled) and I could not get it to work right. So I found a used carb on the 'net, rebuilt it and installed it on that saw, and it runs like a charm. I still have it on the shelf in the toolshed, it looks pretty up there but rarely sees use. I should probably sell that cause I'm a Stihl man, probably won't ever run it again. So, the moral of the story, it could be a situation like I had. Try picking up a used carb on ebay, rebuild it, and see if that works.

Otis B Driftwood said:

I've got two Echo® products: a weeder and a chainsaw. I've had both for about the same time,
roughly six years. After two years, the weeder crapped out, symptomatic of a failed carburetor.
Treated both about the same; ignoring winterizing methods of removing the fuel, etc. Always
changed the oil and mixed the fuel correctly.

So why is it the saw keeps rippin' and the weeder is dead? Different carbs? Ethanol has been
wrecking havoc with two cycle engines and more. Turns those clear tubes and hoses into goop.

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No ethanol is just fine. Several west coast guys have repeatedly told us their stuff runs just fine and they have never had a problem. It must be you.
Actually there is different material for the carb diagrams and pumps. The ethanol ones are brown in color. But since ethanol is just fine I won't use those. Until you posted nobody has ever had a problem with OPE and ethanol.

I just paid $18 for a new Walbro online, with free shipping. Why bother with a used carburetor? Seems like penny wise and pound foolish.

Otis B Driftwood said:

Fair enough. But I've heard different from mechanics who work with two-cycle engines.
It was they who told me that ethanol eats the clear tubing in some models. I was told
to replace them with black tubing.

Further, not all gas is the same. It depends on the region and refinery.

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Tygon (fuel lines) and Viton are the materials of choice for ethanol proofing your fuel system.

DanCorcoran said:

I just paid $18 for a new Walbro online, with free shipping. Why bother with a used carburetor? Seems like penny wise and pound foolish.

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I just re-carb'd a Stihl BG 85 handheld blower. Carb was $28 LIST PRICE at the local dealer. I know this isn't always the case but it does pay to check out the price of a carb before trying used or rebuilding.