THANKS!!!!!!!! I just happened to stumble on this. I am a VERY good home mechanic but could no longer get my 12 year old Stihl to run. Thought it was carb, thought it was plug, thought it was fuel line. I took my flamer arrestor out and it started like a mad machine. INSTANT throttle response like it was as new.10 times the RPM. FANTASTIC, so so happy!
What a life saver - great video, corrected the problem - I didn't even know that there was such a thing as a spark arrester. I was going to take the trimmer into the repair shop tomorrow after a frustrating day cutting and attempting to trim a creek bed - saved me time and money not to mention my sanity - thanks again for taking the time to create such an informative and easy video - greatly appreciated.
Great video. Elderly neighbor had the same problem with his Echo trimmer.I noted lots of carbon around the muffler and asked him how much oil he used per gallon.He replied 4 ounces.He asked me if I could help him out. Started it same symptoms. Went home googled it and your video came up. Checked and screen clogged. I felt more comfortable taking the head off for two reasons carbon and he cross threaded the plug. It got so hot the bolts on the muffler were siezed. So bad my T handle twisted trying to remove them. Sprayed some KROIL on them and let sit for a couple days and came out easy(Great stuff). Removed cylinder removed carbon and chased the threads. Replaced his fuel tank also because he let it idle on the driveway and it wore some holes in it. Discovered it when I pressure checked the tank. Thank you for your videos! I have Stihl Bronze and Echo training but low on experience.. Your help has given me the confidence to get the job done!
Great tip! The dealer was trying to sell me a new machine, he said it wasn’t worth fixing. In ten minutes it is running like it did when it was new. Thanks!
Well I for one am really happy I found this video today... I was sent to work on our Utility crew's grass trimmer and it had the exact same problem. The only mistake I made was not watching the entire video at one time. I took the screen to our ultra-sonic cleaner and left it in for an hour and it still wasn't clean... watched the rest of the video... and after that it only took about 5 minutes and I was able to put the screen back in! Now it runs like its brand new and I look like a hero!
Mine wouldn't even start, then I saw your video and took a look at it and there was a huge spiders nest in it. So I took a paperclip and bent a small hook and got it out. Now it runs like new again. So thnx a million.
my dad sent me a Poulan Pro PPB330 33cc. It is doing the same thing after watching your video it works great. i rebuilt carb and put new hoses on and bulb..It was used 1 year. Ive never had one like this so this my first. I adjusted the carb to make sure..So thanks for the vids keep them coming.
Great video! This is EXACTLY what my son's trimmer sounded like. Took out the spark arrester just like you said and it was clogged. Cleaned it up and now runs like new. Thanks for your video!! Saved us alot of time and effort!
This is very well done. I have seen to many examples of "how to" videos that are not as well thought out as this one. As for the issue with the clogged spark arrester on the exhaust of my unit this guy saved me some time. It worked as advertised. Thanks and keep up the good work. My yard is calling me as usual here in Georgia.
thanks. just did this on my 6+ yr old stihl km55r kombi head... I couldn't get the rpm's high enough to work the brush sweeper attachment or leaf blower... I was surprised that it was clogged so fast. I have only run 15 or so litres of premix through this machine... anyways works great now. driveway is all swept of the winter gravel/sand and junk.
Lol, been trying figure out my problem for about a week. So I finally took the muffler off and ran it without of, and it worked just fine!!! Also, the muffler seemed to weigh a bit more than usual.
I had the same issue with a Stihl FS 86 model. The repair shop charged me $75 to clean the arrestor. I ran about 3 gallons of the new Stihl grey bottle gasoline oil mix in the trimmer when the arrestor became clogged and bogged the engine. I have been running the old orange bottle gasoline oil mix ever since without any issues. Now that I know what the arrestor looks like - I believe the best approach is to remove the arrestor and use the new grey bottle gasoline oil mix in the trimmer for its protective engine properties. As a qualifier, I am only a homeowner working on his own urban property and not a commercial landscaper working in a forest area.
Thanks donyboy, did what you showed, took of arrester, fired it up and away it went revving up really well. Got no propane torch so gonna leave arrester off til i can get carbon burnt off; weedeater doesnt sound overly loud without it. Cheers.
THANK YOUUU :) I had that problem this weekend while cutting grass in my vineyard, I was thinking that i had problem with carbureator...greetings from sunny Croatia ;)
Hi Don , Good video. Have a stihl 170 chainsaw that has starting problems. it's barely 2 and only been run less than 5 times. But, gonna check the spark arrestor on it before I pull the carb. Seems crazy carb problem s with such little use but last resort. Truly can't think the spark arrestor is clogged either but least of two evils. Thanks for your videos, always helpful.
Great video and tip! I've had the same issue on trimmers I've found in the past. Now I know it's possibly an easy fix. I plan on doing this to my personal Stihl trimmer which is about 5yrs old now but runs like new.
Nice video and explanation. Cured my fs55 of the exact same problem. I went for the feul filter because it started easy but wouldn't run high rpm. Nothing wrong with changing it even though it didn't cure it!
thanks for the video for people that love their Stihl machines they will find this video very helpful with the spark arrester screen that can clog up with engine carbon build up easy clean and cheap n easy
Dony, The symptoms on your Stihl is very similar to my Echo PB-200 blower. I checked the spark arrestor but there was very little carbon. I cleaned it anyway and heated up the muffler to to burn off any carbon. As I said, there was very little and there was little improvement So, now what should I be looking for? I like the machine as it is fairly light to carry around on the roof when blowing debris from the surrounding trees. Your help is appreciated.
Hi Don, I'm a big fan. I have the same Stihl FS 55 , I have replaced carb and still can't start. Original carb, and replacement, have small air bubbles leaking through primer bulbs. Not sure what to replace. New bulbs installed. Fuel lines or some gasket?
Stihl FS45 trimmer starter rope is very hard to pull. Removed the muffler, carb, and spark plug. No scoring on piston or carbon buildup in exhaust port. The piston moves easily and smoothly when you pull the rope with the pug out. Put the plug back in and starter rope is very hard to pull again. Can't pull fast enough to start, or even attempt to. Removed and checked the recoil - no issues there. Any suggestions? Thanks!
The answer here is simple - I needed to have fuel/oil mixture in the tank and prime the carb. Fuel/oil provides enough lubrication for the piston to move up and down in the cylinder. Trying to do this with a dry cylinder makes the starter rope much harder to pull.
I use my tiki torch on the back patio and the flame from it cleans just as good as a butane torch, takes a little longer but burns all the built carbon off of screen for certain.
thanks how bout the craftsman with the pulley assembly not grabbing the flywheel right and the cover rocks back and forth? All the screws in the cover line up great and seems to be on right but it rocks on top so something is not seating correct and even though the pull works great out it hangs up sometimes while on.
Good video. Now all the teenagers will be taking the spark arrestors out of their dads weedwackers so they sound cooler.......LOL. Probably put a Monster Energy sticker on it too! LOL
Can't start my Ryobi 2 stroker after running it hard on some edging. Broke the string. Turned it off, fixed the string and it's dead. Swapped the carb, changed the spark plug and the kill switch. Simply will not start. Found your video to see the symptoms of a blocked arrestor screen. Since mine won't start at all I don't think that is the problem. Barely a rumble when cranking. Maybe electrical??
Great demo, Dony! Similar to a clogged cat in an auto engine, but a lot easier and less expensive to fix. It seems that cleaning the screen should be part of a maintenance schedule, though I suppose the propane heating might be damaging if it were done regularly. Do you see this very often?
Finally thank to you is working again JUST A QUESTION WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE A 2 cycle in winter ❄️ Cause always is a problem in April any advice from you or anyone who knows
Donyboy73, thanks for all your videos, I have tried multiple suggestions and still nothing. Here's my scenario: FS46, borrowed from a friend, has not been used in 2ish years, they kept the Gas/Oil mix in there the whole time. Here is what I've done: Installed new air filter. Checked spark arrestor (was clean). Swapped spark plug. Drained old Gas/Oil, installed new pre-mix formula/swapped out old fuel filter. The only thing have not done is install new carb. Which is arriving tomorrow. Any other suggestions we've missed? Thanks. Jared
I've been putting them in a heated ultrasonic cleaner using my usual vinegar/water mix and it seems to work OK. Donny which method in your opinion is better?
I just fixed this same issue on my neighbors stihl fs40, he couldn’t figure why it wouldn’t throttle up but I heard it at idle and it sounded stifled. Sure enough the screen was 95% blocked.
Hey Donyboy, not a question, but a statement. My old Stihl blower had a narrow point on the tube, but my current BG65 is circular. I've noticed that this doesn't create enough backpressure, thus, it doesn't rev as high. Seems like a regressive design to me. It's also much more plasticy than the old one.
if the carburetor has adjusting screws (assuming its a walbro or zama carb with high and low end screws), adjust them until the engine starts. if it still doesn't start, check your spark plug and exhaust port. sometimes the ignition coil can go loose, so it would also be best to check that aswell
Here's a tough question I have that you may have an answer for donyboy73. On cheap trimmers the gas lines are fed into the plastic gas tank through a small hole drilled into the tank. On a lot of the cheaper trimmers the point at which the line enters the tank starts to leak sometimes. First thing I do is replace the line. Sometimes that does not work and I am wondering if there is a magic putty or glue that you would recommend using to make a seal so that no gas leaks. Thank you.
![Lil Uzi Vert - Chill Bae [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D7F42F_JM3U/mqdefault.jpg)
DO THE PROCEDURE IN THIS VIDEO O A YEARLY BASIS, SOMETIMES TWICE!
Thank you! Gas stove worked since I don't have a torch.
THANKS!!!!!!!! I just happened to stumble on this. I am a VERY good home mechanic but could no longer get my 12 year old Stihl to run. Thought it was carb, thought it was plug, thought it was fuel line. I took my flamer arrestor out and it started like a mad machine. INSTANT throttle response like it was as new.10 times the RPM. FANTASTIC, so so happy!
What a life saver - great video, corrected the problem - I didn't even know that there was such a thing as a spark arrester. I was going to take the trimmer into the repair shop tomorrow after a frustrating day cutting and attempting to trim a creek bed - saved me time and money not to mention my sanity - thanks again for taking the time to create such an informative and easy video - greatly appreciated.
Finally......an actual professional showing how it's done in the workshop. Thank you so much for this video 10/10
Great video. Elderly neighbor had the same problem with his Echo trimmer.I noted lots of carbon around the muffler and asked him how much oil he used per gallon.He replied 4 ounces.He asked me if I could help him out. Started it same symptoms. Went home googled it and your video came up. Checked and screen clogged. I felt more comfortable taking the head off for two reasons carbon and he cross threaded the plug. It got so hot the bolts on the muffler were siezed. So bad my T handle twisted trying to remove them. Sprayed some KROIL on them and let sit for a couple days and came out easy(Great stuff). Removed cylinder removed carbon and chased the threads. Replaced his fuel tank also because he let it idle on the driveway and it wore some holes in it. Discovered it when I pressure checked the tank. Thank you for your videos! I have Stihl Bronze and Echo training but low on experience.. Your help has given me the confidence to get the job done!
+RyanCJ3 you're welcome, make sure you're subscribed
Followed your instructions and she's running like a dream, threw in a new plug and tweaked the idle, good as new, thanks for posting!
Great tip! The dealer was trying to sell me a new machine, he said it wasn’t worth fixing. In ten minutes it is running like it did when it was new. Thanks!
Well I for one am really happy I found this video today... I was sent to work on our Utility crew's grass trimmer and it had the exact same problem. The only mistake I made was not watching the entire video at one time. I took the screen to our ultra-sonic cleaner and left it in for an hour and it still wasn't clean... watched the rest of the video... and after that it only took about 5 minutes and I was able to put the screen back in! Now it runs like its brand new and I look like a hero!
Mine wouldn't even start, then I saw your video and took a look at it and there was a huge spiders nest in it. So I took a paperclip and bent a small hook and got it out. Now it runs like new again. So thnx a million.
Thanks for the video. I have the same trimmer with the same issue. Followed your procedure and its running great now.
Fixed my trimmer. Runs like a beast now!
my dad sent me a Poulan Pro PPB330 33cc. It is doing the same thing after watching your video it works great. i rebuilt carb and put new hoses on and bulb..It was used 1 year. Ive never had one like this so this my first. I adjusted the carb to make sure..So thanks for the vids keep them coming.
Great video! This is EXACTLY what my son's trimmer sounded like. Took out the spark arrester just like you said and it was clogged. Cleaned it up and now runs like new. Thanks for your video!! Saved us alot of time and effort!
Greg Hamm thanks Greg, make sure you are subscribed
Watched this video , you were the one that helped me fix my blower and weed eater, big help - thanks for your help .
Thank you very much I was wondering why all of my equipment has lacked in power or wouldn’t start I’ve never would thought about this.
This is very well done. I have seen to many examples of "how to" videos that are not as well thought out as this one. As for the issue with the clogged spark arrester on the exhaust of my unit this guy saved me some time. It worked as advertised. Thanks and keep up the good work. My yard is calling me as usual here in Georgia.
Thanks again, Dony. I will be checking our trimmer for clogging of the spark arrester. We have had it for years and it has never been done...
Great job telling us how to fix a common problem.
I fixed my Stihl permanently. Went and got a real commercial Maruyama Brush Hog.
It's nice to get a simple repair job every now and then.
Great video and explanation. Its all in the details, and youve done a wonderful job. I believe this is my issue.
thanks. just did this on my 6+ yr old stihl km55r kombi head... I couldn't get the rpm's high enough to work the brush sweeper attachment or leaf blower... I was surprised that it was clogged so fast. I have only run 15 or so litres of premix through this machine... anyways works great now. driveway is all swept of the winter gravel/sand and junk.
great video as usual. I liked the way u don't leave little details out like most on here. Good job.
thanks
Lol, been trying figure out my problem for about a week. So I finally took the muffler off and ran it without of, and it worked just fine!!! Also, the muffler seemed to weigh a bit more than usual.
I had the same issue with a Stihl FS 86 model. The repair shop charged me $75 to clean the arrestor. I ran about 3 gallons of the new Stihl grey bottle gasoline oil mix in the trimmer when the arrestor became clogged and bogged the engine. I have been running the old orange bottle gasoline oil mix ever since without any issues. Now that I know what the arrestor looks like - I believe the best approach is to remove the arrestor and use the new grey bottle gasoline oil mix in the trimmer for its protective engine properties. As a qualifier, I am only a homeowner working on his own urban property and not a commercial landscaper working in a forest area.
That did the trick! Thank you so much! Its was bogging like a dog ...now the old FS38 is singing like a bird
That was the first time I watched one of your video's and it was very informative. I have subscribed to your site and hope to see more in the future.
thanks Donnie, people call me Donny too
thanks for subscribing Donnie!
Thats whats on my birth certificate, how bout you.
Donnie Leggett mine is donald
Thanks donyboy, did what you showed, took of arrester, fired it up and away it went revving up really well. Got no propane torch so gonna leave arrester off til i can get carbon burnt off; weedeater doesnt sound overly loud without it. Cheers.
you're welcome make sure you're subscribed
thanks, greetings from Canada
Dear Don, merci on the Symptoms, & Repairing of a Clogged Spark Arrester for a Grass Trimmer! Cheers! :-)
Been subscribed for a couple years! Good source and excellent videography.
+RyanCJ3 thanks
THANK YOUUU :) I had that problem this weekend while cutting grass in my vineyard, I was thinking that i had problem with carbureator...greetings from sunny Croatia ;)
I had a similar unit come in for repair. Same issue! I just ultrasonically cleaned the spark arrestor!
Hi Don , Good video. Have a stihl 170 chainsaw that has starting problems. it's barely 2 and only been run less than 5 times. But, gonna check the spark arrestor on it before I pull the carb. Seems crazy carb problem s with such little use but last resort. Truly can't think the spark arrestor is clogged either but least of two evils. Thanks for your videos, always helpful.
Perfect, thanks. My tripper, same model, is exhibiting the same issues so I know what I'm doing tomorrow!
Awesome explanation! Thanks a lot. Going to check mine right now as that is the same problem I am having.
Great video and tip! I've had the same issue on trimmers I've found in the past. Now I know it's possibly an easy fix. I plan on doing this to my personal Stihl trimmer which is about 5yrs old now but runs like new.
Nice video and explanation. Cured my fs55 of the exact same problem. I went for the feul filter because it started easy but wouldn't run high rpm. Nothing wrong with changing it even though it didn't cure it!
thanks for the video for people that love their Stihl machines they will find this video very helpful with the spark arrester screen that can clog up with engine carbon build up easy clean and cheap n easy
You star! She’s purring again!
Thank you Donyboy.This is a great video, I love the way you explain everything ,
Thanks this really helped me!
Thanks you dony, you can always trust you to have the best videos. Hope all is well :)
Dang you inspire me to work on my fs100rx! Thanks for the concise explanations and great video detail.....
thanks Richard!
Great video. Very professional DIY video
Dony, The symptoms on your Stihl is very similar to my Echo PB-200 blower. I checked the spark arrestor but there was very little carbon. I cleaned it anyway and heated up the muffler to to burn off any carbon. As I said, there was very little and there was little improvement
So, now what should I be looking for? I like the machine as it is fairly light to carry around on the roof when blowing debris from the surrounding trees. Your help is appreciated.
That was a great tip! I had no idea that you can use a torch clean these.
Very good info. Thank you for uploading.
thanks Jamie
Great thing and easy to check during annual maintenance.... Thanks Don!
Your a big money saver my man thank you
Sounds like my probkem tday ...Xmas eve, but dont wanna wait ...plus a little grease on threads may stop seizing....TY...MerryXmas
Just did this with my 94r, thought it was toast. Thanks eXterminator for the tip & leading me to this vid. She's purring again
Tks dony always looking foward to your next video..keep up the good work..
greetings from Canada
Thanks. Excellent video and assuring to see that it's an easy fix.
Best advice you tube..Thank you.
so wonderful beautiful video Dony i love it see so nice
Hi Don, I'm a big fan. I have the same Stihl FS 55 , I have replaced carb and still can't start. Original carb, and replacement, have small air bubbles leaking through primer bulbs. Not sure what to replace. New bulbs installed. Fuel lines or some gasket?
Thanks for the help. Works great now!
I have the same exact trimmer, I've had it for about 3 years and haven't had any problems with it.
:→)
Stihl FS45 trimmer starter rope is very hard to pull. Removed the muffler, carb, and spark plug. No scoring on piston or carbon buildup in exhaust port.
The piston moves easily and smoothly when you pull the rope with the pug out. Put the plug back in and starter rope is very hard to pull again. Can't pull fast enough to start, or even attempt to. Removed and checked the recoil - no issues there. Any suggestions? Thanks!
The answer here is simple - I needed to have fuel/oil mixture in the tank and prime the carb. Fuel/oil provides enough lubrication for the piston to move up and down in the cylinder. Trying to do this with a dry cylinder makes the starter rope much harder to pull.
I use my tiki torch on the back patio and the flame from it cleans just as good as a butane torch, takes a little longer but burns all the built carbon off of screen for certain.
Got it Donyboy thank you never would have thought of that. I'll check that out as well it does look rather built up already.
might be your problem
thanks how bout the craftsman with the pulley assembly not grabbing the flywheel right and the cover rocks back and forth? All the screws in the cover line up great and seems to be on right but it rocks on top so something is not seating correct and even though the pull works great out it hangs up sometimes while on.
I have that same trimmer at home and can't wait to clean it!
Only problem is I don't have a torch to use.
Im sure some carb cleaner would do the trick. Could even try using a simple candle lighter flamer.
Great video.
Thanks for sharing.
New subscriber here
i love your videos man !
Another great video Don!
Good video.
Now all the teenagers will be taking the spark arrestors out of their dads weedwackers so they sound cooler.......LOL. Probably put a Monster Energy sticker on it too! LOL
Can't start my Ryobi 2 stroker after running it hard on some edging. Broke the string. Turned it off, fixed the string and it's dead. Swapped the carb, changed the spark plug and the kill switch. Simply will not start. Found your video to see the symptoms of a blocked arrestor screen. Since mine won't start at all I don't think that is the problem. Barely a rumble when cranking. Maybe electrical??
for the people that don't have a torch. carburator cleaner works to maybe a bit less but it worked for me
great video
great video thanks! found my problem...
you're welcome
whatever works, I like this method because it's quick, I have an ultrasonic cleaner as well
Hi dony.love your work.my leaf blowers muffler has no spark arrester. How do I clean it?thanks.
we have that same weed wacker great stihl to use great video also
Could you tell me how to find out what year my Sthil weedeater was built. Thank you.
Great demo, Dony!
Similar to a clogged cat in an auto engine, but a lot easier and less expensive to fix. It seems that cleaning the screen should be part of a maintenance schedule, though I suppose the propane heating might be damaging if it were done regularly. Do you see this very often?
Finally thank to you is working again
JUST A QUESTION WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE A 2 cycle in winter ❄️
Cause always is a problem in April any advice from you or anyone who knows
ruclips.net/video/wrolA6acVGY/видео.html
Donyboy73, thanks for all your videos, I have tried multiple suggestions and still nothing. Here's my scenario:
FS46, borrowed from a friend, has not been used in 2ish years, they kept the Gas/Oil mix in there the whole time.
Here is what I've done:
Installed new air filter. Checked spark arrestor (was clean). Swapped spark plug. Drained old Gas/Oil, installed new pre-mix formula/swapped out old fuel filter.
The only thing have not done is install new carb. Which is arriving tomorrow. Any other suggestions we've missed?
Thanks. Jared
Excellent! Thank you
I've been putting them in a heated ultrasonic cleaner using my usual vinegar/water mix and it seems to work OK. Donny which method in your opinion is better?
applies to all 2 cycle equipment
Hi I have a Fs56 RC .I can’t find the screen at all . The strimmer starts but do not rev please what do you think could be wrong?
Thank you!
Better safe than sorry. Easy to clean/replace also.
I just fixed this same issue on my neighbors stihl fs40, he couldn’t figure why it wouldn’t throttle up but I heard it at idle and it sounded stifled. Sure enough the screen was 95% blocked.
very good vid doc. best
Hey Donyboy, not a question, but a statement.
My old Stihl blower had a narrow point on the tube, but my current BG65 is circular. I've noticed that this doesn't create enough backpressure, thus, it doesn't rev as high. Seems like a regressive design to me. It's also much more plasticy than the old one.
Got that pulley off using the old hot candle wax trick, worked like a champ!
how's it going?
Mine is doing the same thing. I'm taking the spark arrestor off tomorrow.
if the carburetor has adjusting screws (assuming its a walbro or zama carb with high and low end screws), adjust them until the engine starts. if it still doesn't start, check your spark plug and exhaust port. sometimes the ignition coil can go loose, so it would also be best to check that aswell
Here's a tough question I have that you may have an answer for donyboy73.
On cheap trimmers the gas lines are fed into the plastic gas tank through a small hole drilled into the tank. On a lot of the cheaper trimmers the point at which the line enters the tank starts to leak sometimes. First thing I do is replace the line. Sometimes that does not work and I am wondering if there is a magic putty or glue that you would recommend using to make a seal so that no gas leaks.
Thank you.
Great video, Thank you very much.
Hi donny i have a stihl fs 80 r and was wondering what would keep the shaft from locking in place
thanks man