Weed eater run w/o mixed gas?

A buddy dropped off a weed eater for me to look at because it keeps dying. I'm not a small engine guy, or a two stroke guy but I offered to help.  
 

First thing I tried was starting it and it does run but dies. Next I checked the gas, it is non ethanol gas, but it has not been mixed with oil. I asked and he's had it a year and a half and never put oil in the gas. My question is, will putting mixed gas in it be enough to fix it? Or is there something else I need to do? 

Thanks

Try it with what's recommended for that engine 50:1, 40:1, 32:1 whatever. It may run fine. I'd be afraid the bearings are wiped out, because he ran it with what amounts to no oil.

Small 2 strokes seem to either be finicky as balls, or eat what ever garage you toss into it and run forever. No middle ground.

It probably does not have "bearings" per se, they often just run an aluminum rod directly on the crank.

I would pop the head off and look at the bore.  If it is not all gouged up, mix in some 2 stroke at 1:10 and see how it works.

This is one of those things where the damage is already done.... or not.  So it will run....  or not.  Best way to find out is to run it.

I don't think the stalling is due to not having oil, that sounds more like a crummy carb.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Agreed, or even just a cruddy spark plug going conductive when hot and shorting instead of sparking.

I'm guessing the small pickup tube has a break in it.

Pit some oil in it, check that tube, then send it.

wvumtnbkr said:

I'm guessing the small pickup tube has a break in it.

Agreed, those tubes are tiny and dry out and break or crack really easy.  Plus, they get clogged up easily.  I'd make sure the carb and associated tubes are clean and solid.  If they're cracked, good luck finding ones that small.

-Rob

They sell the proper tubing in little coils at Menards or Home Depot.  I replaced the tubing on my 2-stroke rototiller 

I don't use my 2 stroke yard tools much.  Due to this rare use, I don't go through much fuel, so I have resorted to buying the fuel from the Depot/Merards/Lowes.  Small quantities keeps me in fresh fuel with a reliable, proper mix.  

I put mixed oil in it. I and pulled the tubes and cleaned them. They are all fine and not brittle. I pulled the fuel filter/pump out of the tank and cleaned it with carb cleaner. I had some spray sea foam and I sprayed some of that in the tank. I can get it to run. Actually it runs pretty good now. But I can't give it throttle. If you give it throttle it's like it bag down and if you don't come off the throttle it dies. Could the jets sti be clogged somehow? 

I should add the fuel mix I added I made about 2 weeks ago, same ratio as my Husqvarna weed eater takes. I only use ethanol free gas, and it was a Sthil oil this time. 

I'm a little surprised that he's been running a 2-stroke for a year and a half with no oil and no issues.  Mom did that when I just joined the USAF and killed the leaf blower before she got to the end of the driveway (although, it was a big driveway)

In reply to octavious :

Did he attempt to work on it before bringing it to you? I accidentally swapped the supply and return line on a trimmer when replacing the pickup filter. It would run ok with no load, but die instantly with throttle.