Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Broken fuel line broke something else...

I have a Weedeater Featherlight that is a bit on the older side I broke my return fuel return line while trimming my yard. When I smelled fuel I shut it off and noticed the line. I replaced both fuel lines since the other was just as brittle and figured problem solved… Not so it seems now it will not start. I flipped it over to check the lines which were fine, but heavy black fuel mixed with some grease leaks out of the engine housing. I did not take anything apart or off other then the old line. What could it be and how hard would a repair be for a non-engine guy to do it myself?

I'm guessing gas leaked out of the tank when the line broke since you smelled gas. Could this gas have loosened some 'engine crud' on the outside of the engine that is now showing itself?

anytime I turn it upside down and shake it I now get large drops of the fuel crud mixed long enough has past that any fuel from the line should have dried. Also it does not start which it did before. The fuel is not leaking from the replaced line but rather in the casing itself.

Since the crankcase on featherlite's are without gaskets (mechined fit) and only the crankshaft oil seals to leak from,I find it hard to beleive that your trimmer devaloped a serious problem like this overnight I'd bet that you got the fuel lines in the wrong places.Reverce them,take the spark plug out spin it over 4-5 times to blow all exass the fuel out.Then replace the plug and try it.