Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Gas string trimmer tune-up.
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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aa335
 
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Gas string trimmer tune-up.
Original Message Mar 23, 2009 3:51 pm |
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Spring is almost here, and we been getting quite a few 60F plus days. While waiting for the last snow storm/blizzard to arrive before preparing the snowblower for summer and fall hibernation, I thought I get in the spring cleaning mode and get my lawn equipment up and running. Besides getting new fuel lines, fuel filter, air filter, and a new spark plug, what is the proper way to service a diaphram carburetor? What's involved? Also, I need a new bump feed head. Any recommendations on the quick and easy loading heads from Stihl, Shindaiwa-Echo brands?
This message was modified Mar 23, 2009 by aa335
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aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
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Re: Gas string trimmer tune-up.
Reply #6 Mar 24, 2009 4:23 pm |
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aa335: You're obviously on the right track changing fuel lines/filters that need it. If the carb is working fine, don't mess with it. Chances are that it's not in that much of a need for dis-assembly to clean it. A season of using Seafoam will take care of that. I used to use Stabil up until a few years ago when I found a bottle in my garage that had turned to a gel. It wasn't even a year old. Ever since then, it's been Seafoam all the way. I went on an engine tune up/cleaning spree a couple of years ago. All two stroke engines in a couple of chain saws, brush cutters, outboard motors and a four stroke lawn mower. The effects of additives such as Seafoam etc. are difficult to measure. I have found through experience that often, there will be no change in the engine's performance. Understandable if the engine is well maintained and in good running order. However, I did notice a considerable improvement in a 25 year old Tecumseh two cycle engine on a Jiffy ice auger. It had not seen much use and when I fired it up, it wouldn't rev out well, and overall ran poorly. I put a full oz. of Seafoam into half a quart of fuel and ran that through the engine for a while. It smoked quite a bit for a while, coughed and sputtered as per how it was running. After three or four minutes, it began to smooth out and within five minutes, it was running like new. That confirmed to me that the Seafoam actually works. Now I run a bit of it each year through all of my engines. I use a bit of a stronger mixture in my two cycle mixed fuel just to keep fuel systems in good shape. It also works well for taking water out of fuel. I run it in my car, truck, and eight motorcycle engines from my six cylinder liquid cooled Valkyrie to my single cylinder two stroke dirt bike. Not saying that it's just because of the Seafoam but everything is running top notch. Sounds like a good practice for preventative maintenance on OPE. I would use SeaFoam periodically on the string trimmer since the diaphram carb is a polymer. I don't want to quickly deteriorate it by using too much of cleaners of any kind. You are correct, a well maintained and good running engine does not see much improvement in performance since fuel additives are not power boosters. I'm hesitant to use SeaFoam in my car though. There is so much emission control and computers that it may throw a diagnostic code. I don't tinker with new car engines with OBD-2 since it is beyond my knowledge.
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JohnnyBoyUpNorth
Location: New Brunswick Canada
Joined: Dec 30, 2007
Points: 72
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Re: Gas string trimmer tune-up.
Reply #7 Mar 24, 2009 5:57 pm |
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I treated a 02 VW Golf with a gas engine. The car had about 150 000 km on it. I did the gas tank, air breather and brake booster. Smoked a lot. I tend to drive like an old man suffering from motion sickness, so my car was gunked up. I was amazed. Not a subtle increase in this and that, the engine ran like it did the day I bought it. I was skeptical about sensors and everything, but I never had a problem. I don't know why more people don't use it.
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borat
Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692
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Re: Gas string trimmer tune-up.
Reply #8 Mar 24, 2009 6:41 pm |
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Sounds like a good practice for preventative maintenance on OPE. I would use SeaFoam periodically on the string trimmer since the diaphram carb is a polymer. I don't want to quickly deteriorate it by using too much of cleaners of any kind. You are correct, a well maintained and good running engine does not see much improvement in performance since fuel additives are not power boosters. I'm hesitant to use SeaFoam in my car though. There is so much emission control and computers that it may throw a diagnostic code. I don't tinker with new car engines with OBD-2 since it is beyond my knowledge.
If you read the instructions on the can, I believe it states that is "oxygen sensor" safe. I wouldn't worry about the polymer diaphragms either. The mix ratio is pretty low.
Seafoam has been around for a long time. It's been a well kept secret and is not as readily available as Stabil. Do a little research on it. You'll be surprised how many people swear by it.
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JohnnyBoyUpNorth
Location: New Brunswick Canada
Joined: Dec 30, 2007
Points: 72
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Re: Gas string trimmer tune-up.
Reply #12 Mar 24, 2009 8:36 pm |
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I started using it when I was about 12 years old with model airplanes, so that would be about 23 years. I use it mostly as a penetrant. For this purpose it almost works too well; I've seen it loosen up punky welds when they were warmed up with a torch. I've used it as a cleaner for my old ATV prior to opening the engine case and I've seen the before/after with it. It cleans so well that I am scared to run fresh oil in my engine after using it. I'll have some sacrificial cheapo oil to run an hour, then drain/fill again with the good stuff. I always keep a stockpile of three or four cans. My opinion and vote is worth as much as any man's, and I swear by this liquid.
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JohnnyBoyUpNorth
Location: New Brunswick Canada
Joined: Dec 30, 2007
Points: 72
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Re: Gas string trimmer tune-up.
Reply #14 Mar 25, 2009 5:18 am |
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It's been a while, but I used to soak the whole engine in Seafoam. I'd take the fuel lines off, and turn the engine to bottom dead center. It should work just fine. Scrape it as best you can, then fire it up. You might want to have a spare glow plug handy.
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rktc
Joined: Jun 1, 2009
Points: 1
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Re: Gas string trimmer tune-up.
Reply #15 Jun 1, 2009 2:42 am |
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Re: "SeaFoam" and Gas String Trimmer tune-up. Curious as to what this SeaFoam "miracle product" was all about, I checked into the ingredients by looking up the manufacturers mandatory MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on this product. I found that it contains: "Pale Oil" 40-60% (by weight), "Naptha" 25-35%, "IPA" 10-20%. "Pale Oil" is simply another name for common mineral oil, the same stuff that is found in most engine oils (without the additives). "Naptha" aka VM&P (Varnish Makers and Painters) naptha, is what is more commonly known as "gasoline" without the additives, aka "white gas". "IPA" is simply Isopropanol which is more commonly known as Isopropyl Alcohol or "Rubbing Alcohol" (diluted). All the "degumming" and cleaning effects of this compound can be attributed to the solvent effect of the naphtha and the Isopropanol. Obviously, since your gas tank has a copious amount of gasoline already in it, adding more is not likely to accomplish anything. The real solvent effect is in the Isopropanol which in 10-20% concentration, is likely to have little solvent effect upon gum, varnish, and other petroleum oxidation products unless you use it "straight". Currently, most "oxygenated fuels" contain around 10% Ethanol (another alcohol) which is also an excellent solvent. So adding more alcohol to fuel that already contains another form of alcohol is not likely to be particularly beneficial. Also, there are many anecdotal accounts of small engine repairmen blaming the deterioration of internal carburetor rubber diaphrams and other such parts, on the effects of alcohol and other additives in current gasoline formulations. The best way that I know of to properly service a diaphragm type small engine carburetor, is to buy a carburetor rebuild kit and rebuild the carburetor. The necessary tools are minimal and the only other thing required would be instructions (see your local library), and a can of carburetor cleaner from your local wally world or auto parts supplier. A wrench to remove the carburetor, and a couple of screwdrivers to disassemble the thing is usually all that is required. The diaphragm in a small engine carburetor acts by using crankcase pressure pulses to pump gas from the tank to the carburetor. They are thin and really flimsy. They also do not last forever. Good luck. |
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