2 Stroke trimmer engine break in

[SilentType]

Recently picked up an Echo SRM-225 string trimmer from Home Depot. This is my first new purchase of 2 stroke OPE. Any pointers or procedures for engine break in? I'll be running 93 octane E0 no name gas from a local filling station/garage with VP Racing 2 stroke oil. Engine BTW is 21.2CC.

 

[Ausfahrt]

I bought that exact one last summer and I just let it warm up a few minutes before letting it rip. I was a bit unhappy with it at first because it seemed to be lethargic and have no power compared to the Stihls that I had in the past but it seems much better this year after it got a few hours on it. Good luck.

 

[SilentType]

Thanks I also have a GT225 which has the same motor I think and it's good enough for everyday grass trimming around the house. I got the SRM with the intention of using a brush blade on it.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

I bought a new Husqvarna 2 stroke trimmer last year to go with my Ryobi Expand-it tools. I mixed my fuel at 40:1 and then let 'er rip after a few minutes of partial throttle and idle. It starts on the first couple pulls every time and has been great so far. I use it for edging, brush trimming, tree trimming and tilling.

 

[football]

Ive been through about 7-8 Echo trimmers and blowers and saws. I just run VP racing 2 stroke FD oil at 50:1 and let em run at full throttle. Send it.

They are a little lethargic until they break in. Just run it like you stole it.

 

[Slick3914]

I’d mix the oil at 40:1 and use normally

 

[GI_GRIFF]

DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!!!

 

[ripcord]

I like to mix the first gallon of gas thick. I don't know if it helps but it seems like a good idea

 

[#18FAN]

Echo Red Armor synthetic 40:1 run it as you would any other time. You want some good reading follow Iowa Performance Saws he builds and runs that blend in brand new ported 2k dollar Sthil Saws and nothing else.

 

[Zap1967]

I have an SRM -2620. Last year under warranty the crank case stopped holding vacuum or pressure and it wouldn’t run. They had to long block it. I was way behind on trimming at the farm my family has.

When I got the first one I broke it in easily. This one went right to WFO after timing my house at mid throttle once. It runs exactly the same as the other one so I’d send it.

 

[userfriendly]

I bought a new Husqvarna 2 stroke trimmer last year to go with my Ryobi Expand-it tools. I mixed my fuel at 40:1 and then let 'er rip after a few minutes of partial throttle and idle. It starts on the first couple pulls every time and has been great so far. I use it for edging, brush trimming, tree trimming and tilling.

My Husqvarna FR 336 is 7 years old with about 300 hours on it running 30:1 and E-zero 91. No smoke.

 

[oil pan 4]

Try 32:1 if too smokey go 40:1

 

[Fordiesel69]

For break in, you can run any JASO FD oil at 40:1 and run 2-3 tanks this way before you transition to 50:1.

You should idle it 1 minute and then go full throttle. Do not go full throttle without a slight warmup.

BTW, echo red armor oil is excellent. So is your VP racing oil.

 

[Nessism1]

I have a low hours 2620T unit, running 40:1 in it, and ****, it's flawless.

Remember: running more oil, means less gas, which causes lean running.

I'm using VIP 40:1, but plan to switch to the normal 50:1 after my first batch (quart) is gone.

 

[ripcord]

I have a low hours 2620T unit, running 40:1 in it, and ****, it's flawless.

Remember: running more oil, means less gas, which causes lean running.

I'm using VIP 40:1, but plan to switch to the normal 50:1 after my first batch (quart) is gone.

The difference in fuel to air ratio at normal mix ratios is pretty tiny. A 50:1 ratio is 2% oil. 32:1 is 3.1% oil. Barely more than 1 percent less fuel by volume.

 

[SilentType]

My gas can currently is mixed somewhere between 40:1 and 50:1 with VP Racing synthetic JASO FD. Thanks yall for the feedback. Gonna let 'er rip in the next day or so. Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion!

 

[SilentType]

Update on the trimmer, I cleaned off the bank in front the house with it. Runs great so far and can't say it's lethargic in any sense.

Here's what I was up against. Not too badly overgrown except for some vines that got tangled on the trimmer head

Is the oil residue normal for a new machine? Don't know that I like seeing that after probably an hour total run time.

 

[Slick]

Update on the trimmer, I cleaned off the bank in front the house with it. Runs great so far and can't say it's lethargic in any sense.

Here's what I was up against. Not too badly overgrown except for some vines that got tangled on the trimmer head

Is the oil residue normal for a new machine? Don't know that I like seeing that after probably an hour total run time.
View attachment 294670

View attachment 294669

SilentType

Oil residue from exhaust (for one hour use) seems from your picture to be more than I would expect if you were running trimmer wide open. If running lower RPM on a conventional 2 cycle i expect to see more oil residue from the exhaust.

That said, I wold not be alarmed as with a "conventional" 2 cycle engine about 1/3 of your air and oil fuel mix going through the carb are used to "scavenage" the cylinder of exhaust. Modern 2 cycle engines use different design features to reduce the amount of unburnt fuel/oil through the engine for emission improvement and fuel savings. But all have some unburnt fuel/oil passing through into the exhaust.

The other considerations are 1) how much of the oil is actually burned during combustion process? IIRC synthetic 2 cycle oils do not burn during engine combustion. and 2) what is the air flow pattern out of the exhaust and onto surrounding housing.

My experience with an 22+ year old Redmax trimmer that always leaves heavy oil residue on the plastic housing versus a Redmax hand held blower same age using the same engine that leaves no oil residue. The difference is the bower has a round exhaust opening discharging into the open air where as the trimmer has a rectangular exhaust opening that has to travel about an inch passing by a muffler heat shield and plastic housing before reaching open air. My redmax trimmer looks similar to your Echo picture. Summary what your picture shows is likely normal. I used to wipe the oil off when it cooled. Now I just make sure not to brush that side up against my self or clothing when putting the trimmer away.

(I use synthetic VP Racing 2 cycle oil mixed at 40:1 with REC 89 fuel)

Looks like a nice section of property you are maintaining.

Best regards

 

[Fordiesel69]

The oil in the exhaust is not a problem.

 

[SilentType]

Now that I've run it some it's probably time for a little WOT lol. I plan on putting on the brush blade kit this fall/winter and handling the overgrowth along the driveway.
I've never been allergic to poison oak until this spring, ended up getting it all over my arms and hands twice. Maybe clearing the brush in winter is the answer.