Spark arrester screen question

[Lawn Dog2001]

I am thinking about removing the screens from my trimmers and blowers. I did a search and I saw that alot of you did the same. But my question is, #1 What are they for, #2 will removing them result in any damage to my machines? The reason Im asking is because I removed the screen in an old echo trimmer I had, and about a year later it caught fire. I am not sure it cathing fire had anything to do with the screen, but I have been nervous about removing them ever since. Thanks for the help.

[VnDrWLawnCare]

Leave the screens on the machines. I just asked that question the other day to my Stihl dealer and he said if the carbon builds up on the muffler and a piece becomes loose it may fall back down into the engine and cause lots of damage. He told me to get a propane torch and hold the screen with plyers and burn the carbon until it becomes brittle and it will fall out when you tap it on something. If they are really bad they are only a few dollars to replace. May be costly if you have alot of equipment. Hope this helps
Eric

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by Lawn Dog2001
But my question is, #1 What are they for, #2 will removing them result in any damage to my machines?

Those screens are called spark arresters. They prevent sparks form coming out of the exhaust and catching things on fire.

It shouldn't cause any damage to your equipment unless you catch them on fire. ;)

[Runner]

I ditch mine, although I have never taken one out of a blower, because I've never had trouble with them like on the trimmers and saws.

[sunrise]

My Stihl dealer took them out of the blower. I took them out of the others when they start giving me problems. Just don't start a fire in the brush.

[TLS]

Blowers seem to do more high RPM operation than a trimmer, thus keeping the gum out. I would be more cautious as blowers are often used in (dry) leaf cleanups where a spark could make for a very bad day~!

[65hoss]

I tossed mine on everything the day I bought them. Open the airway up and let the motor breathe better.

[gusbuster]

Don't get caught! Big Big Big Fine.

Every blue moon, Cal-Osha will do an inspection for spark arrestors on any machine when working in some of the commercial areas I work. A company owner that I know professionally got nailed for this. First offense fine was $400. California is big about this stuff due to the potential fire hazard. I only wish they would check the other lco in residential areas.

John

[David Haggerty]

I was going to take all the screens out of my equipment. It's newer Stihl stuff. Then I switched to Amsoil 100/1 mix. The screens are getting cleaner all by themselves. Dave

[UrbanEarth]

Personally, I would not take them out unless they were causing a problem.

Alan

[Lawn Dog2001]

Originally posted by UrbanEarth
Personally, I would not take them out unless they were causing a problem.

Alan

Thats the problem, the screens cause nothing but problems. At least every three months I have to clean the screens on the trimmers. I just bought a Stihl fs85 trimmer in June and I already had to tear it apart to clean that thing. I always run Stihl or Echo brand oil, 50to1 mix.

What is this Amsoil all about. Does it really work? This might be a better solution for me, as I dont want any more trimmers catching fire. Where can I buy Amsoil, Ive never seen it around my part. Isnt 100to1 to light a mix to use on a trimmer?

[AltaLawnCare]

Do a search on Amsoil, lots of info, I switched a cuople of months ago. i run it 80:1 in my 2 strokes;)

Heres a link:

Amsoil (http://www.1st-in-synthetics.com/)

[leaflawnandlimb]

If you remove the screens the carbon will build up in the next smallest opening, the exaust port of the cylinder. Have fun cleaning that.

[Vibe Ray]

Don't take it out dude. Not a wise decision.

[Cutter1]

Everything I run gets the screen taken out the first day. Always ends up being a problem, so why wait!!

[Columbia Turf]

Just gotta through my .02 in here. I too remove screens from all new handheld equipment. I have trimmers that are probably 6-7 years old that run everyday and they dont seem to be affected at all. I have had the exhaust ports get stopped but they are not that hard to clean. Solved that problem by changing 2 cycle oil.

[65hoss]

Actually with the screens out the build up in the exhaust port is less. The exhaust moves out better. If it does get clogged, that is very easy to fix. A couple of screws to take off the muffler and then a screwdriver to break the carbon off. Takes less than 5 minutes.

[GLS]

My spark arrestor came in a plastic bag, not on. It is the law to have it in state forest preserves(so says the manual). I kept it out, because it is suppose to run at higher rpms, and create more air flow.

[casey]

65Hoss is correct. With the screen in there is much more carbon build up in the exaust port as the screen becomes caked.
On the new Sthil 85's you can slide out the screen without taking apart the housing, on the older 76's & 85's it took some work to get at the screen. Sthil knows they should come out & are making it easier for us.

[summitgroundskeeping]

I took out all of them in my trimmers. The newest one has tones of crap in there and it made a huge difference in performance. I took it out of the old one at the same time b/c it kept gumming up. Never ever had a problem since. Sounds alot better too.

Never took it out of the blower because haven't had problems yet.

[Lawn Dog2001]

Well here is what ended up happening. I couldnt decide whether to take it off or not. So I called my dealer and he told me to bring it in and he would service it. He took off the screen and threw it away. He said that 9 out of ten times they take a trimmer in for service, it is because the screen is clogged. He also adjusted the carb, changed the plug, filled it full of stihl string, and shined it up like new, all for free. Cant beat that!

Im now going to keep an eye on this trimmer and see how it goes. If all goes well I will probably take the screens out of all my other machines as needed.

[mrgreenjeans]

My screens conveinently fall out when they become clogged. It makes my shindaiwa trimmers louder but you never have to worry bout them again. If you run the trimmers hot (high RPM) more of the oil burns out and there is less buildup in the exhause port. Those that have the most problems with clogging are probably letting the trimmer idle all day.