Great info!!! Thanks 🙏🏼

I found this channel after a spark arrester screen issue on a blower. Not used often, the blower would fire but then die and flood. I hadn't worked on a piece of equipment in 25 years. Finally, your videos and others caused me to check the exhaust. A mud wasp had plastered over the screen port. I'm in the Southern US. Broke the seal and the thing fired right up. The screen provided a good backing to keep the seal from being blown out by the exhaust until punctured, but it also likely saved me from having a muffler full of hardened mud. Whether the blockage is from carbon or critters, it is best to check at least once a year.

Thank you very much for your explanation of removing and cleaning the spark arrester screen on the two-cycle STIHL chainsaw. It helped so much. I could waste a lot of money for taking my chainsaw to the shop. I called the Bliss Power tool store and wanted to have them fix it. One of the guys there said that I can drop it off and it will take about 3 to 4 wks to get it fixed. Then I decided to check it out myself. Removed the Exhaust Muffler kits and noticed that the Spark Arrester Screen was really dirty so it out and cleaned it up, then I put it back on and the power of the chainsaw came back on. This saves me some money. I wasn't sure if I had properly cleaned it so today I watched your channel and saw your demonstration of cleaning the Spark Arrester Screen. I got it done properly so thank you so much for your guidance.

I like your videos, I have repaired my 2 stroke equipment just by what I have learned from you. Thanks for taking the time to post your videos!!

Great video. As a mechanic of lawn equipment i agree 100%

I see that it’s quite easy to clean the spark arrester, so for safety reasons I would keep it in the machine. Certainly won’t be blocked after one hour of use. Good explanation, as usual 👍

Thoroughly addressed. Well balance approach. Very helpful. Thanks!

Great video,alot of people are totally unaware of the spark arrestor and don't know why it keeps bogging down,such a simple fix

@96cr

3 жыл бұрын

I have been around 2 cycle my whole life i have never seen a two stroke cause a flame out the exhaust. Those 4 strokes though for sure

Thanks for the info about more power and avoiding fuel with ethanol. That was a really technical advice 👍

Love your videos. Your KM130 4 stroke has a spark arrester too. Like you said other machines may have a spark arrester. Not using full speed revs on a chainsaw can also cause premature wear to the clutch and nearby components. The clutch is designed to slip until it reaches full speed. The continued slipping can cause excessive heat, metal tempering and wear. That's the same reason why many machines are damaged by inexperienced people adjusting the idle speed too high. It either slightly bumps the clutch drum causing an intermittent ringing or to the point where it mostly grabs and causes an unsafe condition of the tool spinning constantly. Please be safe and kind we all deserve the respect from each other.

Great video again! I purchased a used MS270 and wanted to clean the spark arrester, only to find out it was gone.

Thanks for showing me how to remove the screen

Removed mine yesterday from my Stihl chainsaw, very happy with the results.

@johnhershey4010

2 жыл бұрын

Same here 😉

@Urbicide

2 жыл бұрын

Taking out the screen on a MS-200T turns a great saw into a screamer.

Thank you Don, good advice as i did have a bad experience due to the spark arrestor missing. Thankfully we had a fire extinguisher on the truck and noticed the brush was smouldering.

Great advice, Dony! My spark arrester actually clogged up on me once and I didn’t know what was happening until I took it to the shop. I clean it myself now.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

@aidenzanker150

2 жыл бұрын

Same thing happened to me the other day, I was kicking myself because it's so simple, anyways I know now.

Very useful as always . Thank you very much!

Right on Don. Happy Summer.

Thanks for the lesson & the legal information. Nice vid👍

The screen also makes a good diagnostic tool just like reading spark plugs or looking at the air filter. All of these need to be cleaned or completely replaced at some point or another. Very good advice on keeping engine speed up. I make a point of not letting my saw idle for more than 30 seconds, if I need to, I just stop the engine. My chinese generator's muffler uses a chunk of aluminum window screen with a hose clamp as a spark arrestor. It works well and it's easy to replace if needed.

@juliogonzo2718

2 жыл бұрын

If they actually used a window screen I doubt it would arrest many sparks.

Thanks! You are a very good instructor.

I have added cleaning spark arrestor screens to my annual PM program. I just take the out and burn them clean with a torch. You will find the equipment becomes easier to start when you do. Using two cycle oils, Like Stihl Ultra, exercerbates the situation due to their high ash content.

Same here in Australia mate many fires caused through people pulling them out there self

i'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP! Now I too can help prevent forest fires- and my life has new meaning,

@swingbelly

3 жыл бұрын

The new SMOKEY THE BEAR! Ya, gonna take it along for a walk in the woods, cowboy?

I use a harbor freight electric chain saw. It's perfect for the occasional use home owner. Great video for the heavy duty user.

Great video Don. Thanks.

Took the spark arrester out of my string trimmer because it had one of those crappy conical ones and I only use it on my lawn, so very low risk of fire. However, I leave them in everything else. If you mix your fuel properly it should take a very long time before it clogs.

Subd. Great channel. I'm actually in the process of starting my own small engine/repair business. Swamped already with work. Definitely not going to lie, get lots of great info from you! Have 2 ms150tc in now, both very boggy, like that's it. Bog. Screws dont do anything so spark arrestor is where I'm headed next as I suspected. About removing it, I've seen guys cutting palm trees down, where the dry husk on the tree caught on fire from exhaust. Climber didnt panic as it went right up and around him and kept going. Like lighting lint on a sock. Crazy. Anyways, great channel!!

Thanks from the UK ... Good video.

As always. Learning a lot from you👍

I've never taken oine out on my stuff but I run a good mix with quality oil and they stay clean. Good video!

@paftaf

4 жыл бұрын

Lewie McNeely Likewise. I check my spark cleaners once a year, and they never need any cleaning, they’re always clean.

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

@@paftaf Those cylindrical ones will in leaf blowers sometimes though, even with the best fuels.

I see your point . I used to run a forestry contracting business , 9 months of the year we used to run the saws without spark arresters but in summer we put them back in for the very reason you mention plus without the arresters it void my public liability insurance . The difference without an arrester is noticeable even on a big saw . Ever wondered how much sparks come out of a two stroke engine - go run one at night …. its quite alarming .

@TheJimmysGarage

5 жыл бұрын

wow interesting, ill have to run mine tonight haha

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

Yeppers. Neat to watch. Kinda unrelated but interesting, I even get lots of sparks dropping golf ball sized decorative quartz river rock against each other at night. Just take a bunch in your hand and drop it from maybe 4 feet up on to some on the ground. Big spark show that you would never see in daylight.

Thanks for the video.

Another good reason for leaving the spark arrester screen on is to keep mud dobbers from building inside the muffler if your equipment is stored where they may have access to it. It's more common than you think.

@RollingEasy

Жыл бұрын

I was given a bench grinder which had been sitting for a while. I opened it up firstly and found that these beggars had set up home inside of that........ Mud everywhere.

Run a straight header... neighbors will love it😉

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

What? What did you say? Can't hear you.

good video, good tips thanks

Thanks for the information. Mine was completely clogged, so I removed mine since there are no chances of mine causing and fires since I leave in an urban area and also I did not have a torch on hand.

Thanks for the info

Perfect, thank you.

To prevent Sparks and screen blockage always use seafoam and it will keep carbon buildup from forming on the screen by adding 1 oz to every gallon tank and it will solve all your problems dealing with carbon buildup it's a preventive maintenance make a cost. Also it adds extra lubrication which will increase compression and help your 2-cycle oil do its job.

Thank you for the info. Now I know how to start my fire pit. Full throttle no screen on muffler against grass and dry wood chips.

@swingbelly

3 жыл бұрын

Just like Rambo unloading a full mag from a 30 cal. machine gun! Oh, the imagery!

I agree with you thanks

Nice video as always

Ditto! Good info!

Good to know !

Good information

I remove every one and love the power increase along with a muffler mod. I dont use ethanol free gas due to the cost its cheaper to buy a carb than to buy ethanol free gas if there is a problem. Love your videos.

@joshallred3388

Жыл бұрын

I just got a new bike. Should I take it out? I don’t want to burn the valves or anything

Thanks buddy.

I had my FS38 trimmer since 2005 and have never needed to clean my screen, good oil and lots of throttle hours on end every year.

I don't take them out either. Great video Don. I tend to keep them as factory as I can. I did get angry at a Tecumseh mower and removed the brake as it was bending the brake handle due to a stiff switch but i did it for a friend.

I thank you it is valuable information.I keep my on, just cleaned it. I did not know why the screen was there, but now I know thanks again.

thanks Dony ...

Thanks Fella ,! 👍👍🇬🇧

Thanks 👍👍

thanks alot

As always, thanks Dony for the information.

I have a later model Stihl MS391 chainsaw. The arrestor plugged so I removed it. I was unable to bring the rpm low enough to get any sort of idle with the carb adjustment screws. I cleaned the screen and put it back in and was able to tune the engine easily. It appears that on my model for the limited adjustment range available with the mixture screws, that some exhaust back pressure is necessary.

1st thing I do is use my spark arrestor for my weed pipe.

@hawaiiaction.1976

3 жыл бұрын

good one

@greybone777

3 жыл бұрын

Good luck with that. Don't cut your leg off🤣🤣🤣

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

First of all, hilarious and clever I must say, but try not to hurt your lungs with intentionally inhaled smoke of any kind. Find a safer way to get the intended effect if you must. There may be a way to do this without smoke, but I really don't know much about it. I would imagine there are many that do though.

@appleztooranges

2 жыл бұрын

Lol

@cjr1881

Жыл бұрын

@@happycamper6352 if you don't know much about it then you should stfu, right?!

agreed with you

I wouldn't remove the spark arrester too. I really understand about the spark arrester from the past up to present day. I have actually to cleaned a spark arrester on Stihl br200.I did put it back on the blower. It was the hex nut style just like the stihl f-s 38.

Fantastic vid new sub

@tlpoutdoorsman

5 ай бұрын

Ironically I came across your video because I was having some chainsaw problems today with that exact Chainsaw the 170 steel that you have there in the video before I even found your video my saw was running sluggish bogging down it just sounded weird it didn't sound like it was getting up to full throttle I sharpened it razor sharp and it was just sounding horrible mind you I'm not new to this I have a 461 Steel I think it's a 270 C anyway I got frustrated I thought I'll pull the muffler off and see what's going on lo and behold there was like an eighth of an inch of oil and grease all the way around the back side of the muffler Black is Black can be and I didn't even know they had a spark arrestor in them and that spark arrestor look like a piece of rock there was Zero getting through it I tried to clean it for like 30 minutes nothing would cut through it I got a small opening maybe the size of a pea the only reason I looked up the video I wanted to see if I could run it without a spark arrestor so I gave it a toss holy s*** that saw has never run better more horsepower like it's brand new unbelievable

I have only had to clean it once in my Stihl BR200 which I use commercially. It seems the idle was causing it to rev to high causing a quick buildup. I wish I could get ethanol free, but it's impossible to find here. I do however get 93 octance

Thank you, Why would our Hitachi Blower shut down after running for awhile . Like it gets hot shuts down then cannot start till its cooled down

Took a look at my MS170 today. It didn't have one. Had it from new and not taken it off before so must have been left off at the factory

Threw mine away a long time ago!

Does larger engines like mowers or snowblowers have this spark arrester

Are is there a future damage if you remove a spark arrestor from a raptor 700 Model 2015 ?

so for a stihl edger or trimmer used for lawn care its fine too remove it..

What about 4 cycle equipment? Do you remove those because the emissions are already less than a 2 cycle?

Before I watched this I knew it was going to be a Liability issue because you are an actual Repairer. But for the rest of us it’s just a restrictor in the exhaust that stops the machine from working at peak efficiency. Everything works better without them. Even if they aren’t blocked in anyway.

@greybone777

3 жыл бұрын

Until you start the forest on fire 🔥

@ChiDraconis

3 жыл бұрын

Yes … I delivered paper for my brother whom knows that stuff → Money! That stuff is 100% all about money & best defense is that you do not have any

@juliogonzo2718

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiDraconis 😂

@jonnysnipes3123

Жыл бұрын

@@greybone777 you aren’t starting a forest on fire from not having a sr. You’d more likely to start it on fire creating spark from the chain

I have never had to clean my spark arrestors in any of my outdoor power equipment and I guess it's cuz I use good gas and I also use the true fuel or the steel Moto Max I highly recommend people using that because that really helps reduce that problem

@RustyZipper

2 жыл бұрын

What if you’re using 2.5 gallons of 2 stroke gas in 3 days?

My echo no start.....this is my next step on a hopeful start

Most important, have the customer sign the slip as an acknowledgement.

My spark arrestor screen broke and fell into the muffler on my stihl br430. Any ideas on how to get it out?

How do I put roller bearings on the Con rod on a Stihl 010AV chainsaw. Mine keep falling out? What is a easy way getting so fed up, can u please help

What about removing it to clean it and re-installing it?

Homeowners just need to do yearly maintenance on their power equipment, and they will have very few problems like plugged screens. I own several Stihl tools and never have issues such as this. In my younger days when I had junk, I didn't care, and always had issues. Regular maintenance saves a lot of headaches.

I have a redmax blower. Started good but in high speed diet. The model is Ebz7100 . I clean the carburetor. And gas line and filter chaing. and the problem still there can you help me...

Does it matter that 8 mm bolts go where they be before i took muffler off

Interestingly, the spark arrestors are the cleanest parts on my mufflers. Of course, I actually do run my stuff at full power enough to help keep it from being an issue. I probably should clean the mufflers and deflector plates, though.

i remove em drill out catalytic then enrichen carb. nice power boost.

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

That's short term. Over time the enrichment will cause carbon buildup in a few places and it will be hard to remove. At that point, performance suffers.

I just figured it'd keep bugs out of the cylinder/engine while in storage, thats the only reason I decided to not remove mine.

If the oil is being mixed properly, and the equipment is being used properly (not left to sit idle for a long time) then the spark arrestor should not get clogged very often right? I am going to leave all of mine in, because I think its an indicator of other problems if its getting blocked. I also noticed that it makes the exhaust louder removing it on some machines

I use av gas in my saw an weedeater. Seems to have more power

In the shop I work in we have found that in some units such as the Stihl FS94 if the spark arrester screen is removed over time the muffler will become carbon fouled and is very hard to clean. The screen is very easy to clean and as long as the screen is in place the muffler will stay clean

@AuMechanic

4 жыл бұрын

With the spark arrestor in that causes a little more back pressure the muffler would run a bit hotter which in turn would cause less oil to condense on the inside of the muffler walls.

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

@@AuMechanic The initial comment and initial response is true, but that would take many, many, many hours of run time to collect enough to make a difference I would imagine. Even if that happened, you could just torch it the same way you would the screen though. and brush and/or tap out the ash when done.

@AuMechanic

2 жыл бұрын

@@happycamper6352 You could do I was just explaining why it likely builds up with the arrestor out.

Have personally had three fires start cutting dead trees. Very important for forest fire prevention.

@lengray44

4 жыл бұрын

@Nat Sarim California has had to have them since the 70s. I think what happened is they just started fires. Believe it or not people don't stay up nights thinking of ways just to make your life difficult. They came up with a rule and the manufacturers just go ahead make them all like that

@randyweaver9528

4 жыл бұрын

lengray44 I have to disagree. They do listen to lobbying groups as to how to improve business by having folks bring their equipment to have a screen cleaned. Two great examples - Low flow toilets. (Ridiculously stupid idea that has done what?) Gas with ethanol. (Selling you a crappier less effective product at the same or higher price all the whole procuring it from land owned by, drumroll, the taxpayer).

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

I've started fires several times with the spark arrester installed. Always on dead ash bark while bucking a log with the muffler too close to the log. It's an easy fire to put out though luckily just by patting it out. I could see that getting out of hand with dry evergreen bark with dry needles or sawdust in the mix. This can be extra dangerous if your dogs are too short causing the muffler to ride or nearly ride the bark when bucking a large log.

Those screens are great if you are clearing land that is dust bowl dry and you dont have time to check to make sure you didnt start a fire.

ive been logging for 25 years and ive never had a fire once!and i take out my baffles and spark arrester screens in evry saw ive ever owned

@DougHinVA

4 жыл бұрын

so what? do you know more than the makers and rangers ? you have been fortunate IF you never caused a fire

@hussainalhamed9080

4 жыл бұрын

justin revet Hello Are is there a future damage if you remove a spark arrestor from a raptor 700 Model 2015 ?

@trashman1694

4 жыл бұрын

@@DougHinVA Always remember to take your tampon out before bedtime

@tboneproductions2453

4 жыл бұрын

I never wear a seatbelt ‘cause I never plan on being in a car accident

@derpherpp

4 жыл бұрын

Trashman lol

Great video, thanks! "You should not remove the spark arrestor. Here's how you do it". ;-)

I live in a tinder box in California. I don 't even like to run saws in the day during summer when it's hottest and driest if I can work around it. I carry a fire extinguisher most of the time just in case. What is funny (or maybe not) is the saw I have right now has a catalytic converter per regulations for emissions, but it makes the muffler INSANELY hot. I see big sparks flying all the time from sawdust bouncing off of the muffler. Best case scenario, get rid of the cat and keep the screen, or take the screen on and off seasonally, but living here I'm not going to just take off the screen and leave it off.

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

There are sometimes temporary restrictions on when you're allowed to cut in the Western states. They have a certain time when you must stop for the day when the weather is dry too long.

i have 18 chainsaws, i have taken all the screens out and never have I ever seen a spark

More chance of sparks coming from your bar than from the exhaust

@hdhhc5555

2 жыл бұрын

Yep. Cut wood just after the sun goes down. It's like fireworks. Lol

I don't remove these spark arrestors either. I just clean them and put them back on. They do restrict power though. Thanks Don.

Here in Montana, the forest service will check your saw for screens if they check you while out firewooding. No screen and you are done for the day, and fined.

@splibb

4 жыл бұрын

Nonsense

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

That's even more common in west coast states, especially businesses that use two stroke engines.

The first think I do is remove the spark arrester on new equipment. But great video. 👍

I clean the spark arrestor screens on my equipment once a year, whether they need it or not.

I remove my spark arrestor screen when i run a strong cleaner like amsoil quick shot and amsoil power foam that way it doesnt clog it up after a thorough cleaning. Then i throw it back in after cleaning the screen.

What is sad about all of these regulations is the fact 99.9% of the incidents are caused by poorly maintained equipment, if people followed reasonable routine checks and maintenance 2 cycle engine would not be blowing out sparks or lit muffler batting, these things happen because of pure laziness and complacency, now 4 stroke engines are a totally different story. I own and ride 2 stroke motorcycles, a clogged screen can really effect the performance of an engine in a bad way.

@happycamper6352

2 жыл бұрын

But do the owner's manuals even mention having to do that? Many Joe Homeowners don't know to do it. We know from being in the business or at least heavy-hobby, but I don't remember ever seeing that in a manual.

If a quality 2 cycle oil is used, the spark screen arrester should not even be an issue. May I suggest Amsoil Sabre Pro for all your 2 cycle needs?

New subscriber here. Is this the only thing that could cause loss of power and bogging down?

Does the fs300 have one, if so where is it located.