dswensen
ArboristSite Guru
I know it's been said often, but I got a great reminder last night.
Check the little things first.
I picked up an 029 yesterday that is in really good shape. I got it cheap.
Owner said it had fuel problems, and even gave me a new fuel line he couldn't figure out how to install.
Symptoms were that it would start, but wouldn't stay running - not even long enough to throttle up. I was preparing myself for carb problems.
Did my usual - check for spark and compression (even though it would start), and then pulled the muffler to find a pristine piston and cylinder. Went to put the muffler back on and noticed a spark screen more badly clogged than I have ever seen before. To clean it, I used a torch to burn away the soot and oil. Once lit, the screen burned by itself for about a minute. Smoked up the shop pretty good!
Cleaned the remaining residue and ash off the spark screen with a wire bush, put it back together, and it runs beautifully now.
I get this lesson over and over again when working on small engines; don't start tearing into the hard stuff until you check the easy and little stuff first!!!
Check the little things first.
I picked up an 029 yesterday that is in really good shape. I got it cheap.
Owner said it had fuel problems, and even gave me a new fuel line he couldn't figure out how to install.
Symptoms were that it would start, but wouldn't stay running - not even long enough to throttle up. I was preparing myself for carb problems.
Did my usual - check for spark and compression (even though it would start), and then pulled the muffler to find a pristine piston and cylinder. Went to put the muffler back on and noticed a spark screen more badly clogged than I have ever seen before. To clean it, I used a torch to burn away the soot and oil. Once lit, the screen burned by itself for about a minute. Smoked up the shop pretty good!
Cleaned the remaining residue and ash off the spark screen with a wire bush, put it back together, and it runs beautifully now.
I get this lesson over and over again when working on small engines; don't start tearing into the hard stuff until you check the easy and little stuff first!!!