Stihl leaf blower

Just posting this in case someone else has had a similar problem. Saturday my neighbor asked me if I could adjust the carb on his fairly new Stihl BG86 leaf blower, said it would only run half throttle. Checked it out today and the spark arrestor in the muffler was completely clogged with carbon. Heated it red hot with the propane torch and blew it out, reassembled and it ran great. Now who needs a spark arrestor on a leaf blower? Must be a California thing.

Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.

Picked up a used one after hearing about that with the newer units.Went into the local pawn shop looking for my usual yearly stash build-up of 1/2" and 9/16" wrenches and sockets and came home with one for 40.00. Sure makes cleaning the shop easier, and home garage, and gutters, and driveway, and cattle feed troughs, and equipment like brush cutters and seeders.

Stihl has always made some good products.

My Stihl blower wasn't running very well a while back . My neighbor asked if I had checked the muffler . Didn't think that was the problem , but I did check it . Sure enough the "screen" was plugged up . Cleaned it up with a wire brush and it's still running good . Good tip

I bought a new Stihl chainsaw years ago. After a year it started running rough if at all. I asked the guy at the parts counter about it and he said to open up the muffler, take out the spark arrester and throw it away. Don't they come out of them blowers? I still ain't seen any sparks coming outta that muffler!

D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446

The screen screws out of the muffler. Will need a deep socket or a scrunch.

Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.

Now there's a new one Hubert,,,,,,what's a scrunch??
NOW I know what's wrong with my Weedeater weed wacker!! I'll have to look come this spring! THANKS!!

"Allis-Express"
19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17

Dang i thought it was a scrench. Confused

There's several issues that are commonplace in 2-stroke power tools of the last decade or so... the arrestor screens are one... noise regulations are another, improper mixture due to oil and fuel emmissions are a third.

If you want a two-stroke to run right, dismantle the housing, and either break off the mixture adjustment limiters, or replace the carbeurator with an 'open adjustable' type. Next, remove the muffler, yank the arrestor screen, and open up the muffler passageways (web search will tell you what works best). Last one, is advancing the timing a few degrees.

Each of these modifications reverse 'compensation' that manufacturers apply to their products to meet 'standards'.

The mixture adjustment screws prevent you from setting the mixture to proper enrichenment to develop torque with 'limited' oil mixtures... it effectively protects the engine from insufficient lubrication.

The THEORY is that the 'arrestor' screen heats up, and 'captures' oil soot, and it's SUPPOSED TO (if the mixture is lean enough) get hot enough to 'break down' the lubricating oil before it leaves the exhaust can.

The finer ports produce enough restriction to 'capture' exhaust heat to make that 'arrestor' screen catch the oil and keep it burning... so that the soot emmissions are 'low'.

They retard the timing to help build that heat a bit more.

Do all three, run 'em on high quality oil, NO ETHANOL high-test gasoline, and keep 'em clean, and they'll run great forever, with just a regular replacement of air filter, plug, and fuel pickup and hoses.

Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.

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Hubert (Ga)engine7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Jackson Cnty,GA Points: 6401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hubert (Ga)engine7 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Stihl leaf blower Posted: 28 Jan 2019 at 8:49pm
	Just posting this in case someone else has had a similar problem. Saturday my neighbor asked me if I could adjust the carb on his fairly new Stihl BG86 leaf blower, said it would only run half throttle. Checked it out today and the spark arrestor in the muffler was completely clogged with carbon. Heated it red hot with the propane torch and blew it out, reassembled and it ran great. Now who needs a spark arrestor on a leaf blower? Must be a California thing.
	Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.

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Brad in WA Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Access Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Location: Lynden,WA Points: 199	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brad in WA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2019 at 5:38am
	I had the same thing on my Stihl blower, stupid government regulations.......

TimNearFortWorth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Points: 2014	Post Options Post Reply Quote TimNearFortWorth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2019 at 6:11am
	Picked up a used one after hearing about that with the newer units.Went into the local pawn shop looking for my usual yearly stash build-up of 1/2" and 9/16" wrenches and sockets and came home with one for 40.00. Sure makes cleaning the shop easier, and home garage, and gutters, and driveway, and cattle feed troughs, and equipment like brush cutters and seeders. Stihl has always made some good products.

Amos Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Points: 1318	Post Options Post Reply Quote Amos Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2019 at 6:12am
	VERY common, weed wackers get the same issue here...and when a wasp builds a nest in there while they hang in the garage they don't even run sometimes

ACinSC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 16 Dec 2015 Location: South Carolina Points: 2904	Post Options Post Reply Quote ACinSC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2019 at 7:01am
	My Stihl blower wasn't running very well a while back . My neighbor asked if I had checked the muffler . Didn't think that was the problem , but I did check it . Sure enough the "screen" was plugged up . Cleaned it up with a wire brush and it's still running good . Good tip

Clay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Udall, Kansas Points: 9689	Post Options Post Reply Quote Clay Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2019 at 9:50am
	A hacksaw will remove the problem. Cut the screen off. We use our Stihl leaf blower when burning pastures. Save many gallons of valuable fire fighting water by blowing fire back into itself, during a backfire (back burn to those of you in Rio Linda. LOL).

john(MI) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: SE MI Points: 9262	Post Options Post Reply Quote john(MI) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2019 at 11:07am
	I bought a new Stihl chainsaw years ago. After a year it started running rough if at all. I asked the guy at the parts counter about it and he said to open up the muffler, take out the spark arrester and throw it away. Don't they come out of them blowers? I still ain't seen any sparks coming outta that muffler!
	D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446

ACinSC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 16 Dec 2015 Location: South Carolina Points: 2904	Post Options Post Reply Quote ACinSC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2019 at 1:37pm
	Can't remember if the screen comes out . Seems it wasn't too much trouble to clean . I may need to check it again

Hubert (Ga)engine7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Jackson Cnty,GA Points: 6401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hubert (Ga)engine7 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jan 2019 at 8:38pm
	The screen screws out of the muffler. Will need a deep socket or a scrunch.
	Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.

ACinSC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 16 Dec 2015 Location: South Carolina Points: 2904	Post Options Post Reply Quote ACinSC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 2019 at 3:24am
	Ok , Thanks .

Ted J Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 05 Jul 2010 Location: La Crosse, WI Points: 18923	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ted J Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 2019 at 2:52pm
	Now there's a new one Hubert,,,,,,what's a scrunch?? NOW I know what's wrong with my Weedeater weed wacker!! I'll have to look come this spring! THANKS!!
	"Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17

Hubert (Ga)engine7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Jackson Cnty,GA Points: 6401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hubert (Ga)engine7 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jan 2019 at 8:38pm
	Ted, scrench is the term for the screwdriver/wrench combo tool that comes with Stihl power equipment.
	Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.

Dave H Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Central IL Points: 3559	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dave H Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 2019 at 7:57am
	Dang i thought it was a scrench.

ac fleet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jan 2014 Location: Arrowsmith, ILL Points: 2324	Post Options Post Reply Quote ac fleet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 2019 at 10:52am
	Around here they drill holes in the mufflers on chainsaws big time, especially Stihl's ! must be the same problem as blowers/weed eaters! I just keep mine clean and they work fine! thanks; ac fleet
	http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/

DaveKamp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Apr 2010 Location: LeClaire, Ia Points: 5969	Post Options Post Reply Quote DaveKamp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Feb 2019 at 12:11am
	There's several issues that are commonplace in 2-stroke power tools of the last decade or so... the arrestor screens are one... noise regulations are another, improper mixture due to oil and fuel emmissions are a third. If you want a two-stroke to run right, dismantle the housing, and either break off the mixture adjustment limiters, or replace the carbeurator with an 'open adjustable' type. Next, remove the muffler, yank the arrestor screen, and open up the muffler passageways (web search will tell you what works best). Last one, is advancing the timing a few degrees. Each of these modifications reverse 'compensation' that manufacturers apply to their products to meet 'standards'. The mixture adjustment screws prevent you from setting the mixture to proper enrichenment to develop torque with 'limited' oil mixtures... it effectively protects the engine from insufficient lubrication. The THEORY is that the 'arrestor' screen heats up, and 'captures' oil soot, and it's SUPPOSED TO (if the mixture is lean enough) get hot enough to 'break down' the lubricating oil before it leaves the exhaust can. The finer ports produce enough restriction to 'capture' exhaust heat to make that 'arrestor' screen catch the oil and keep it burning... so that the soot emmissions are 'low'. They retard the timing to help build that heat a bit more. Do all three, run 'em on high quality oil, NO ETHANOL high-test gasoline, and keep 'em clean, and they'll run great forever, with just a regular replacement of air filter, plug, and fuel pickup and hoses.
	Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.

DaveKamp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Apr 2010 Location: LeClaire, Ia Points: 5969	Post Options Post Reply Quote DaveKamp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Feb 2019 at 12:13am
	Oh... and keep in mind that on little nitromethane/castor oil model aircraft engines, that a popular method of 'throttling', was simply to restrict the exhaust. Aside from fitting a tuned expansion chamber (and porting!), the biggest improvement will occur by reducing exhaust restriction. Yep, they're loud, but they sure work well.
	Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.