We have sold shindiawa along with other brands of trimmers and have found the T242 to be verry reliable. Most of the problems were operator error. Not putting in the right mix old gas ext... But most any trimmer will be a good one as long as you take care of it. But I personaly own a T242 multi tool at my own home and love it.

 

I just bought one in june and am not that impressed with it. I always have to use the choke to start it even if I just shut it off 5 minutes prior. And I usually have to pull the cord 4 or 5 times just to get it going and also if you touch the spark plug it will zap you.

 

Light trimmer with enough power.
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Takes too long to warm up (just like stratos). Lacks power overall POS. We have used many brands.

 

All my handhelds are shindaiwa and I have never had any problems except with a 242 I bought last year. It is constantly giving trouble. It will bog down and stop running after it gets hot. I took it back to the dealer under warranty a couple of times, but the problem just keeps happening again. The first time the dealer rebuilt the carb, the second time he put a new carb on it. the third time he claims he cleaned and adjusted the carb. I hope this isn,t the way all the new shindaiwas are going to be.

 

T-242 owners. Ask your dealer to order Shindaiwa part #81362 . This is a special tool needed to adjust the "non-adjustable carburetors used on these units. I thought that these units were supplied with poor engines until I was told by Shindaiwa service techs. what was needed to correct the running problems that always appeared after break in. I hope this helps. Jim

 

I have one that may be an exception to the rule, but I am very happy with mine. It may not have the most power but it has enough for normal trimming, runs great and is smooth. I have a 242 a stihl 85 a kaw kgt27 and a echo 280. Before I found the 85 I ran the 242 and my son ran the kaw. Now that I have the 85 my son runs the 242 and the kaw and echo stay at home.

 

We have sold shindiawa along with other brands of trimmers and have found the T242 to be verry reliable. Most of the problems were operator error. Not putting in the right mix old gas ext... But most any trimmer will be a good one as long as you take care of it. But I personaly own a T242 multi tool at my own home and love it.

All I have to say about this is BS! If it is operator error then all the T242's that were sold at the mayos and cox supply here in knoxville!! The fact is that the ones that dont have problems are the exception to the rule. I have had mine for 1 1/2 years and replaced Clutch,drive shaft , head gear at end of spindle, Which by the way keeps comming out of gear,and keep halfting to get carborator cleaned because of loosing power.:hammerhead:

 

Have use two of the M242. Easy starting, 20 second warmup and is good to go.

 

Have use two of the M242. Easy starting, 20 second warmup and is good to go.

Dont know about the m242. I have the T242X that and the T242 are the ones they are having the problems to keep running.

 

We have 3 of em. Theyre ok I guess. All weed wackers suck. If you cut enough lawns, they just get dirty. The main problem with weed wackers is guys take off the shields, run too much line and dont let the motor scream like it should. Then the carb gets built p with junk, and they dont run right unless you clean them. I just get some sea foam every other month, add it to the mix and it cleans everything out.

 

The 242 is a great homeowner unit. It is not for someone who has experience with commercial duty products.
PS the new Kawy run like Strato's too. EPA is really ruining the performance of 2 strokes.

 

All I have to say about this is BS! If it is operator error then all the T242's that were sold at the mayos and cox supply here in knoxville!! The fact is that the ones that dont have problems are the exception to the rule. I have had mine for 1 1/2 years and replaced Clutch,drive shaft , head gear at end of spindle, Which by the way keeps comming out of gear,and keep halfting to get carborator cleaned because of loosing power.:hammerhead:

Are you running it with or without the guard?

 

The 242 is a great homeowner unit. It is not for someone who has experience with commercial duty products.
PS the new Kawy run like Strato's too. EPA is really ruining the performance of 2 strokes.

It is getting harder and harder to buy 2 cycles now!!! When I was shopping for the M242 at the time, I did a lot of research, most of the new 2 cycles like RM, Kawi, Tanaka are using some sort of scavenger technology and are all having the same kind of problem. The only ones left were Shindaiwa,Echo and Husqvarna that are still normal engine. It is very dis-heartening to hear the T242 have other problems. Husqvarna just change to a new 327 model!!! Echo changed to a single ring Vortex engine. That is just tooooooo bad!!!!

I just don't want to get into the hybrid 4 cycles yet. Even my Honda is not running too well!!!

 

I own two of them and used to have problems with them bogging down and finally stop running. Had them rebuilt and stopped using any gasoline that contains ethanol and haven't had a bit of trouble since. I read somewhere about ethanol being hard on engines and gas lines . I also use the Shindaiwa oil mix at 50/1.

 

I own two of them and used to have problems with them bogging down and finally stop running. Had them rebuilt and stopped using any gasoline that contains ethanol and haven't had a bit of trouble since. I read somewhere about ethanol being hard on engines and gas lines . I also use the Shindaiwa oil mix at 50/1.

How can you tell whether there is any alcohol? By smelling? That's what I did. I settle on Shell 91. I used to use Chevron but it really smell alcohol ( sweet smell). So I sniff and settle on Shell!!! That is only in my area. As I said, I have absolute no issue with my stuff now. I do use Seafoam 100% of the time.....about 1oz per gallon.

 

There is a station here that promotes Pure Gas... No Ethanol

 

It is getting harder and harder to buy 2 cycles now!!! When I was shopping for the M242 at the time, I did a lot of research, most of the new 2 cycles like RM, Kawi, Tanaka are using some sort of scavenger technology and are all having the same kind of problem. The only ones left were Shindaiwa,Echo and Husqvarna that are still normal engine. It is very dis-heartening to hear the T242 have other problems. Husqvarna just change to a new 327 model!!! Echo changed to a single ring Vortex engine. That is just tooooooo bad!!!!

I just don't want to get into the hybrid 4 cycles yet. Even my Honda is not running too well!!!

Sorry, but you left out the Stihl FS80. It's a pure two stroke "dirty" engine and I mean no catalytic converter or anything. The only bad thing is the flex cable drive. I think this is on the way out though because it is around a 10 year old model with a dinosaur motor. BTW the Stihl FS250 is also a dirty engine but it is a Hoss, too heavy for me to want to carry around all the time.

 

Sorry, but you left out the Stihl FS80. It's a pure two stroke "dirty" engine and I mean no catalytic converter or anything. The only bad thing is the flex cable drive. I think this is on the way out though because it is around a 10 year old model with a dinosaur motor. BTW the Stihl FS250 is also a dirty engine but it is a Hoss, too heavy for me to want to carry around all the time.

FS80 is not a choice in the People's Republic of Kalifornia!!!:laugh::laugh:

Or else, it's a no brainer when I bought a string trimmer!!! FS250 is too big for me since I have the big Honda already. It is sure tempting though.

That said, I really like the speed feed head. How can anybody not have one!!!

Actually I started out using the M242 with an articulate short reach hedge trimmer. I recently try the string trimmer attachment which I got for free and just love it. Since then, the Honda become the wall flower in the garage!!!

 

FS80 is not a choice in the People's Republic of Kalifornia!!!:laugh::laugh:

QUOTE]

It is for sure not C.A.R.B. compliant.

California Air Restriction Board :hammerhead::hammerhead:
Man ya'll are a pain in the butt for the rest of us:laugh::laugh:

 

Are you running it with or without the guard?

I am running it without the guard that came on it I have my own modified
guard. That has nothing to do with the problems I am having. I take care of my equipment. Dont let it run with string to long it will bog it down. Why does the manuf. of these weede eaters not make a larger guard to let the string be longer to cover more area? All the landscapers I have seen around town have theeir guards Off!

 

How can you tell whether there is any alcohol? By smelling? That's what I did. I settle on Shell 91. I used to use Chevron but it really smell alcohol ( sweet smell). So I sniff and settle on Shell!!! That is only in my area. As I said, I have absolute no issue with my stuff now. I do use Seafoam 100% of the time.....about 1oz per gallon.

Mayos service guys said not to run High octane in any of the small engine Weed eaters, blowers, or hedge Trimmers. Even not in mowers they said it would burn pistons up! Not designed to run High octane.

 

Run a T242 and a M242 with no issues.

 

All my handhelds are shindaiwa and I have never had any problems except with a 242 I bought last year. It is constantly giving trouble. It will bog down and stop running after it gets hot. I took it back to the dealer under warranty a couple of times, but the problem just keeps happening again. The first time the dealer rebuilt the carb, the second time he put a new carb on it. the third time he claims he cleaned and adjusted the carb. I hope this isn,t the way all the new shindaiwas are going to be.

We had the same exact thing happen to our brand new 242 last year. Ended up being a tiny, tiny pinhole in the black fuel line running between the tank and carb. It could be your problem. Ours wouldn't run after they got hot.

 

I think the thing is people are running them to rich, thereby leaving carbon build up causing carb problems. I've only had one problem, and that was the choke thing was held on by a ring on some models and shindaiwa recalled it and held it on by a screw instead. Other than that no problem.