Tips and advice on small engine maintenance and repairs.

[the other mike]

I do some lawn care and landscaping on the side and I just thought it'd be good to have a thread devoted to lawn mowers, weed eaters, tillers and everything else .... Bobcats, heavy equipment operating ,landscape architecture ....any of that is cool ,but this is mainly about helpful advice for anyone, amateur or professional.

I have a quiz question for the experienced guys out there..... you're running a Stihl fs56 grass trimmer that's about a year old but you've taken excellent care of it....used the right gas mixture always fresh, cleaned the air filter often etc, but suddenly it starts to bog down - won't rev up to full throttle.

What's the first thing you check ?

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

I do some lawn care and landscaping on the side and I just thought it'd be good to have a thread devoted to lawn mowers, weed eaters, tillers and everything else .... Bobcats, heavy equipment operating ,landscape architecture ....any of that is cool ,but this is mainly about helpful advice for anyone, amateur or professional.

I have a quiz question for the experienced guys out there..... you're running a Stihl fs56 grass trimmer that's about a year old but you've taken excellent care of it....used the right gas mixture always fresh, cleaned the air filter often etc, but suddenly it starts to bog down - won't rev up to full throttle.

What's the first thing you check ?

See if it got Covid?

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

If you're this big of a rookie on small engine repair ya might want to rethink this.
But the first place I'd look on an engine that wouldnt run would be to check for spark. Next would be the carb.

 

[Tax Man]

If the engine runs but won't rev up I would say the carb has a problem. Quite posible the exhaust has developed a blockage.

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

If you're this big of a rookie on small engine repair ya might want to rethink this.
But the first place I'd look on an engine that wouldnt run would be to check for spark. Next would be the carb.

yea, a bog is caused by the carb, usually it is a clogged jet, take the carb off and soak it in carb cleaner, or even better take the carb apart to clean it.
BTW, I solved all of my weed trimmer engine problems with a battery powered one.

 

[the other mike]

Exhaust screen.
It'll save you $60 to $80 at a repair shop and it takes about 10 minutes.

For my Stihl, 3 screws.... pull out the screen..... clean off the carbon deposits with a blade, wire brush or you can burn it off too.

It will run as good as new. But if that doesn't solve the problem you can get a tune up kit for about 20 bucks or less.

You're welcome.

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

yea, a bog is caused by the carb, usually it is a clogged jet, take the carb off and soak it in carb cleaner, or even better take the carb apart to clean it.
BTW, I solved all of my weed trimmer engine problems with a battery powered one.

But what if it is one of those electric jobs?

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

But what if it is one of those electric jobs?

what do you mean?
my battery powered weed wacker never fails to start or bogs down

 

[the other mike]

Did anyone know that Husqvarna bought-out Dixon mowers ?

 

[Muhammed]

Exhaust screen.
It'll save you $60 to $80 at a repair shop and it takes about 10 minutes.

For my Stihl, 3 screws.... pull out the screen..... clean off the carbon deposits with a blade, wire brush or you can burn it off too.

It will run as good as new. But if that doesn't solve the problem you can get a tune up kit for about 20 bucks or less.

You're welcome.
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FYI, it's called a muffler spark arrestor screen. It prevents you from accidentally starting a fire.

You can clean it really quick with a torch or carb cleaner spray.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

FYI, it's called a muffler spark arrestor screen. It prevents you from accidentally starting a fire.

You can clean it really quick with a torch or carb cleaner spray.

Yep.

 

[the other mike]

FYI, it's called a muffler spark arrestor screen. It prevents you from accidentally starting a fire.

You can clean it really quick with a torch or carb cleaner spray.

In this video he calls it an exhaust screen, but thanks.

 

[the other mike]

Yep.

I believe this guy called it exhaust screen too but I'm sure everyone is right here.

 

[the other mike]

Yep.

What do you know about it little girl ?

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

What do you know about it little girl ?

Son I've rebuilt motors of all sizes.
From 454's down to lawn mower engines.
In fact I can build a motor from a solid block of steel or aluminum.
Which is a billet block. I can machine any part you've ever seen or imagined....from scratch.
That ain't bragging...it's the truth.

 

[the other mike]

Son I've rebuilt motors of all sizes.
From 454's down to lawn mower engines.
In fact I can build a motor from a solid block of steel or aluminum.
Which is a billet block. I can machine any part you've ever seen or imagined....from scratch.
That ain't bragging...it's the truth.

You'd get along with my retired Marine brother who was an FA-18 mechanic, and works on small aircraft in Hawaii now.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

You'd get along with my retired Marine brother who was an FA-18 mechanic, and works on small aircraft in Hawaii now.

I built flight hardware for the NASA shuttle program as well as the F-22 fighter prototype.

 

[Ringo]

useful tip

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

useful tip

Wouldnt want to try that on a truck unless your wheels extend way past your fenders.
Here's something similar but more modern. I've seen these used several times over the years.

 

[Missourian]

I hate small engine repair.