A Small Engine Repair Tip for two-strokes!
Upon receiving my last Husqvarna trimmer, the owner informed me that it wouldn’t run. Of course I hear that a lot in small engine repair! But the reason behind this weed eater problem was one I’ve not encountered in awhile. Typically the cause to this problem usually shows up as a weed eater that stars and idles, but will not accelerate without dying, or even a hard to weed eater. What was the cause? A dirty spark arrestor. What is that? A spark arrestor is a small screen that is placed within the mufflers of most, if not all 2-strokes. Its job is to catch the sparks as they make it past the combustion chamber and down into the muffler. Without this screen there is the potential of catching something on fire, i.e the dry grass that you set your weed eater onto, or any kind of flammables that are lying around you garage.
What causes a spark arrestor to become stopped up? Simple. Any 2-stoke that smokes is at high risk for a plugged spark arrestor. The unburned oil and gas form carbon on the inside of the muffler. This carbon works its way into the tiny holes in the screen, until the point at which the engine cannot breath. Keeping your 2-strokes clean and tuned up can help prevent this. Otherwise, removing the screen and cleaning it with some solvent and a brush is the only solution.
