I was using my Bolens BL 110 the other day, when I started smelling this faint burning smell. It smelled almost pleasant, like toast, a fireplace or wood burning. It was faint, and I assume it was just some dust or dirt on the muffler or w/e that was burning from the heat. This was the first time I was using the Bolens this season.
Well, I noticed a drop in power...like a big drop in power. I turned off the engine to adjust the head that wasn't feeding line properly, but when I tried to start it back up, it wouldn't start. I wasn't surprised.
I figured the issue was a clogged spark arrester, thinking the low power was due to insufficient "breathing" of the engine. I removed the black plastic "cover" over side of the engine and it turns out this plastic cover is also the side of the crankcase of the engine. I noticed that part of the plastic cover had been scored/melted and there were many bits of black plastic in the crankcase area. I removed these pieces, but the string trimmer still won't start.
I know I need to test for spark, air flow and fuel flow. I already have tested for compression and it's about 110 PSI or so. And I doubt it's the spark plug, because it was running (albeit it poorly) before it refused to start. I also don't think it's the muffler as the engine still won't start with the muffler removed (is that an effective way to test for a clogged muffler?)
But are the melted bits of plastic related to the CAUSE of my engine start troubles? Or are they the CONSEQUENCE of my engine troubles?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Well, I noticed a drop in power...like a big drop in power. I turned off the engine to adjust the head that wasn't feeding line properly, but when I tried to start it back up, it wouldn't start. I wasn't surprised.
I figured the issue was a clogged spark arrester, thinking the low power was due to insufficient "breathing" of the engine. I removed the black plastic "cover" over side of the engine and it turns out this plastic cover is also the side of the crankcase of the engine. I noticed that part of the plastic cover had been scored/melted and there were many bits of black plastic in the crankcase area. I removed these pieces, but the string trimmer still won't start.
I know I need to test for spark, air flow and fuel flow. I already have tested for compression and it's about 110 PSI or so. And I doubt it's the spark plug, because it was running (albeit it poorly) before it refused to start. I also don't think it's the muffler as the engine still won't start with the muffler removed (is that an effective way to test for a clogged muffler?)
But are the melted bits of plastic related to the CAUSE of my engine start troubles? Or are they the CONSEQUENCE of my engine troubles?
Any advice would be appreciated.