2 stroke weedwhacker muffler question.

[splitshot]

The wife's line trimmer started to loose power and I could tell by the way it was acting was due to induction. I rebuilt the carb, no improvement.

Once I pulled off the muffler, it runs like a champ (the thing is packed up).

1) Since this is a catalitic muffler, is soaking it in Purple cleaner going to effect the catalist?
2) If so, is there any advantage to replace it with a non-cat muffler.

 

[John Smith]

What is this "Purple" cleaner you speak of?
If you live in an area where you have to run that type of muffler it will probably be hard to find a non-catalyst style.

 

[D'Animal]

It should have a fire screen or spark arrestor in it that should be easily removable from the exterior or without removing the muffler.

What make and model is it?

 

[splitshot]

Husky 323L.
I got the muffler to breathe again, it was the arrestor screen that needed cleaning. But it still has no top end (it did the day before after I rebuilt the carb and pulled the muffler).

Idles fine, pull the trigger and "bla". I noticed if I pump the priming bubble I'm getting air bubbles in the fuel line coming out of the carb, the line that feeds the carb is clear of bubbles. Any ideas?

 

[D'Animal]

Don't worry about the bubble of air in the primer bulb. The bulb is only used to purge the air out of the carburetor and uses check valves to do it.


Make sure you do not have an air leak. The poor throttle response sounds like an air leak. Can you flip the choke on and off fast while reving it up? If it comes to life you may not be getting enought fuel or you could have an air leak.

 

[splitshot]

Air leak ....

That's it.. I brought it to work with me, just went out to the truck..Guess what, it runs fine this morning, which is starting to make sense. If you notice in the pic, there is a fuel line that feeds the carb (LH side), and a return line that goes from the carb to the priming bubble. The return had air in the line yesterday afternoon when I pumped the bubble, this morning it does not.
I think my fuel line is getting old and allowing air to enter around the feed barb when it gets warm.
What do you think?

 

[D'Animal]

Your fuel lines look good. Inside of the primer there are two check valves. If debris gets caught in the check valve it will hold it open and the fuel will blead out.

If you problem was that is runs awhile and dies, I would say check the primer to see if there is fuel in it. If there is no fuel, then one of the check valves is stuck. That is not your problem.

Is the Mrs running a gaurd on the line trimmer? Generally if you use good mix oil and keep the RPM's up the spark arrestor should never plug. The most common way to plug the spark arrestor is to use crapp mix oil and take the gaurd off the unit and try to make a 21" lawn mower out of it. The engine is way out of it's power band and is luggin down.

Most honey comb designed Catalistic converters used in hand held outdoor power equipment are coated with Platnum and Ridium. They have a chemical reaction to the hydrocarbons in the exhaust. Most of the hydrocarbons come from scavanging loss from the general two cycle theory. They will get anywhere from 700 to 1200 degrees and burn off the hydrocarbons to reduce emmissions. The only time I have ever seen them plugged is when a chain saw is used without an airfilter. The Cat burn Hydro Carbons, not saw dust.

 

[splitshot]

Thanks for the info.

She was using some off brand syn oil and I just recently switched her over to Stihl synthetic. I would be dangerous in this country to run without a guard, I still get pelted with rocks with one.

While I was messing with it, one of the plastic tabs of the pull cord spool snaped off and the priming bubble cracked (I had to walk away from it for a few days).

I think it's time to take it to one of your dealers....

 

[RavenTai]

not for the faint of heart but something to consider asumign the 323L is similar to the 232L, I have the later converted to a 232R brushcutter, nice machine.


http://www.arboristsite.com/showpost.php?p=483666&postcount=22

 

[splitshot]

not for the faint of heart but something to consider asumign the 323L is similar to the 232L, I have the later converted to a 232R brushcutter, nice machine.


http://www.arboristsite.com/showpost.php?p=483666&postcount=22

The pics aren't coming up, but I get the jist of the thread. I have a fealing it might be time to look into a new machine, (this one's going to the shop today).

D'Animal, any recomends on a FS series for seasonal commercial work, just in case this one's not worth fixing?

 

[D'Animal]

You looking for a Bike handle or loop handled unit?

Do you want to run any attachments?

 

[splitshot]

She preferes the loop and uses it solely as a trimmer. I looked at some yesterday and all they had in stock has the FS90R and the 110R.

The 90 is fairly close to what the Husky is weight wise and has more displacement, and at a great price.

Is it possible to purchase a bike handle for a replacement for one of these later so I can use a brush blade?

 

[D'Animal]

You might want to look at the FS100RX. It is a loop handle unit dedicated to line trimming only and is light in weight. Polymer clutch housing and hollow drive tube as well as a diferent casting of the gearbox. It weighs 1.3lbs less than the FS90. The downside is you cannot put a metal blade on it. It does not fit or mount up. The FS90 and FS 110 has no problems with blade mounting.

 

[splitshot]

I'll do that, thanks, good idea..

 

[splitshot]

Picked it up yesterday, kudos to American Outdoor Power in Tucson, $24.. While I was there, they were getting cleaned out of chainsaws by a federal wildlife official who was on his way to Texas. Ike hit their preserves pretty hard.


Before the priming bubble ruptured, I guess there was a hairline crack in the base of this that was sucking air.

 

[D'Animal]

Glad it was something simple.