Spark Arrestor Screen. Keep Cleaning or Chuck it?

[Turk]

Spark Arrestor Screen on my 2011 Echo Backpack Leaf Blower, PB-500T, was fully clogged with Carbon. Cleaned it out with Carb Cleaner. Can replace them too.

I cleaned it out, but was wondering if that's a necessary item in the exhaust or if I can chuck it.

Thanks!

 

[horse123]

Are you working around dry grass that might start a fire?

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: horse123
Are you working around dry grass that might start a fire?


Nope.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Originally Posted By: Turk
Originally Posted By: horse123
Are you working around dry grass that might start a fire?


Nope.



I'd toss it.

 

[suspiciousmind]

Get a torch and burn the stuff off....work's good as new.

 

[bubbatime]

The PC answer is to clean it and put it back in. The bubbatime answer, is if you are in a low fire risk area, chuck it.

In a state forest cutting wood, I definitely would keep it in a saw. Around here it rains every day and it would be highly improbable that a fire would be started without the spark arrestor.

 

[beechcraftted]

I agree with what Bubba said. I have always removed them, never to be re-installed in all 2 cycle blowers, trimmers and chainsaws. Also makes the exhaust a tiny bit louder.

 

[Kawiguy454]

What is the constant need to have all things clean? Is it a lack of substantive things to do with ones time? As it gets gooped up it also gets burned off, It will never fully clog as it is an ongoing process. Use it and put it away ..DONE!

 

[jhellwig]

I have never had to clean a screen. Use the right oil and use it at the right amount.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: Kawiguy454
What is the constant need to have all things clean? Is it a lack of substantive things to do with ones time? As it gets gooped up it also gets burned off, It will never fully clog as it is an ongoing process. Use it and put it away ..DONE!


Dude. It was 100% clogged. It would not run above an Idle whatsoever; all it would do is bog out! It is in the exhaust and is part of normal maintenance.

 

[robshelton]

If you use a good oil at the right ratio it wont clog up. I use Opti-2

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: robshelton
If you use a good oil at the right ratio it wont clog up. I use Opti-2


True. If it is clogged up, I'd be interested to see what ratio and what oil you are running? Has it been run on boat 2 stroke oil?

I've run a lot of hours on two stroke in the last 20 plus years. Never once had to clean or remove a screen on my own personal equipment. My screens always look brand new, but I run it at the proper ratio with good gas and good oil. Customers bring me equipment with really clogged screens and I just shake my head.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: robshelton
If you use a good oil at the right ratio it wont clog up. I use Opti-2


Since it has been new, it has nothing but:

- Initial gallon of mix with Echo 2-cycle oil

- Amsoil Sabre Professional 2-cycle oil around 80:1 mixture (Manual says 50:1 on normal 2-cycle oil)

- 100% pure Gas w/Seafoam added in the storage tanks the mix was made from.

Per the Manual, this is part of normal maintenance and it says it should be replaced if clogged.
It's been used a lot and I don't think it's out of line that it got clogged.

 

[doitmyself]

Do you idle or run it at less than full throttle a lot? I could imagine this would contribute to clogged screens also.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Do you idle or run it at less than full throttle a lot? I could imagine this would contribute to clogged screens also.


Yes, most of the time it's just above idle; I just occasionally rev it up.

I added some LubeGard Fuel System Booster (w/PEA) to the fuel mix to clean things up.

 

[mlatour]

quoted: - Amsoil Sabre Professional 2-cycle oil around 80:1 mixture (Manual says 50:1 on normal 2-cycle oil)

My 2-stroke dirtbike engine tuning experience is that since 80:1 is less oil / more fuel,
so unless you have re-jetted the carburator to run at that ratio, the air/fuel ratio is now way too rich,
Rich jetting lowers the combustion chamber temps making the exhaust carbon up.

As others have mentionned, run it at 50:1 with a quality oil and it will most likely be less prone to fouling.
Even at 40:1 (less fuel) combustion temps will be hotter (less prone to fouling) and the extra oil for added longetivity, better ring seal/higher compression.

I run my leftover 32:1 dirtbike premix in my weewacker/chainsaw/leafblower, they all run fine at idle and never carbon up.
using an Amsoil 2-stroke product too (Interceptor), they make great products, but their "80:1" or "100:1" hype is just mis-leading people.

Redline bottles on the other hand often have a mention "can be safely mixed at ratios from 16:1 to 80:1",
meaning use the engine manufacturer's recommended ratio.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: mlatour

using an Amsoil 2-stroke product too (Interceptor), they make great products, but their "80:1" or "100:1" hype is just mis-leading people.



Pablo, any input/info on this? Echo says mix at 50:1.

Can I safely run my 2011 Echo leaf blower at 80:1 (or 100:1) with Amsoil Sabre Professional, or mix the Amsoil at 50:1?

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: Turk
Originally Posted By: mlatour

using an Amsoil 2-stroke product too (Interceptor), they make great products, but their "80:1" or "100:1" hype is just mis-leading people.


Pablo, any input/info on this? Echo says mix at 50:1.

Can I safely run my 2011 Echo leaf blower at 80:1 (or 100:1) with Amsoil Sabre Professional, or mix the Amsoil at 50:1?


I'm not Pablo, but... Amsoil is good stuff, even at 80:1. The problem is your mixture is now too rich, thus the carbon clogged screens.

To fix this you can either adjust the carb (if possible), or adjust the mix.

 

[Turk]

The screen has never been cleaned, so it was due I bet, no matter which 2-cycle oil was in it.

If I would've ran regular 2-cycle oil at 50:1 it probably would've clogged much earlier, IMO.

 

[boraticus]

That's your problem. Two strokes need to be revved. That's where they're happiest. Running them at low speed is not doing them any good. I've got decades of experience with dozens of two cycle engines. Never used a drop of synthetic and never had lubrication nor carbon build up issues. Use the engine as intended and it will perform well for many, many years under normal work conditions.




Originally Posted By: Turk
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Do you idle or run it at less than full throttle a lot? I could imagine this would contribute to clogged screens also.


Yes, most of the time it's just above idle; I just occasionally rev it up.

I added some LubeGard Fuel System Booster (w/PEA) to the fuel mix to clean things up.