SPARK ARRESTOR MAINTENANCE
1.Remove air filter/muffler cover. Refer to Removing the Air Filter/Muffler Cover.
2.Locate the muffler, but do not remove it. Find the screw on the bottom of the muffler (Fig. 30). Remove the screw using either a torx #20 or flat blade screwdriver.
3.Carefully pry up the left side spark arrestor hood. Two tabs act as hinges on the right side of the hood. Flip open the spark arrestor hood like a door and then pull its tabs out of the muffler slots.
4.Using a small flat blade screwdriver, carefully pry the spark arrestor screen out from the inside of the spark arrestor hood.
5.Clean the spark arrestor screen with a wire brush. Replace it if it is damaged, or if you are unable to clean it thoroughly.
6.Reinstall the spark arrestor screen snugly back into the spark arrestor hood.
Engine
Spark Arrestor | Slots |
Hood |
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Screw | Spark |
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Arrestor | Muffler | |||
Tabs | Screen | |||
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| Fig. 30 |
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REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG
WARNING: To prevent serious personal injury, make sure the cutting attachment has stopped rotating before you turn it off and set it down.
WARNING: Do not sand blast, scrape or clean electrodes. Grit in the engine could damage the cylinder.
Use a Champion RDJ7Y spark plug (or equivalent). The correct air gap is 0.025 inch (0.635 mm). Remove the plug after every 25 hours of operation and check its condition.
1. | Stop the engine and allow it to cool. Grasp the plug wire firmly |
| and pull it from the spark plug. |
2. | Clean around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the |
| cylinder head by turning a 5/8 in. socket counterclockwise. |
7.Reinstall the two hood tabs into the two muffler slots and flip the spark arrestor hood closed.
8.Replace the screw you removed in Step 2 and tighten it securely.
9.Reinstall the air filter/muffler cover.
WARNING: If the exhaust deflector assembly is not tightened securely, it could fall off causing damage to the unit and possible serious personal injury.
CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT
3. | Replace a cracked, fouled or dirty spark plug. Set the air gap |
| at 0.025 in. (0.635 mm) using a feeler gauge (Fig. 32). |
4. | Install a |
| Tighten by turning the |
If using a torque wrench torque to:
CLEANING
0.025 in.
(0.635 mm)
Fig. 32
The idle speed of the engine is adjustable through the air
filter/muffler cover (Fig. 31). NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage your unit. An
authorized service dealer should make carburetor adjustments. 
Check Fuel Mixture Old and/or improperly mixed fuel is usually the reason for improper unit performance. Drain and refill the tank with fresh,
and Fuel Information.
Clean Air Filter The condition of the air filter is important to the operation of the unit. A dirty air filter will restrict air flow and change the air/fuel mixture. This is often mistaken for an out of adjustment carburetor.
Check the condition of the air filter before adjusting the idle speed screw. Refer to Air Filter Maintenance.
Adjust Idle Speed Screw
WARNING: The cutting attachment may spin during idle speed adjustments. Wear protective clothing and observe all safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury.
If, after checking the fuel mixture and cleaning the air filter, the engine still will not idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows:
1.Start the engine and let it run at a high idle for a minute to warm up. Refer to Starting/Stopping Instructions.
2.Release the throttle trigger and let the engine idle. If the engine stops, insert a small phillips screwdriver into the hole in the air filter/muffler cover (Fig. 31). Turn the idle speed screw in, clockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles smoothly.
NOTE: The cutting attachment should not rotate when the engine idles.
3.If the cutting attachment rotates when the engine idles, turn the idle speed screw counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed), to reduce idle speed.
Checking the fuel mixture, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed should solve most engine problems. If not and all of the following are true:
•The engine will not idle
•The engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration
•There is a loss of engine power
Have the carburetor adjusted by an authorized service dealer.
WARNING: To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your unit off and allow it to cool before you clean or service it.
Use a small brush to clean off the outside of the unit. Do not use strong detergents. Household cleaners that contain aromatic oils such as pine and lemon, and solvents such as kerosene, can damage plastic housing or handle. Wipe off any moisture with a soft cloth.
STORAGE
•Never store the unit with fuel in the tank where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.
•Allow the engine to cool before storing.
•Store the unit locked up to prevent unauthorized use or damage.
•Store the unit in a dry,
•Store the unit out of the reach of children.
LONG TERM STORAGE
If the unit will be stored for an extended time, use the following storage procedure:
1.Drain all fuel from the fuel tank into a container with the same
2.Start the engine and allow it to run until it stalls. This ensures that all fuel has been drained from the carburetor.
3.Allow the engine to cool. Remove the spark plug and put 1 oz. (30 ml) of any high quality motor oil or
NOTE: Remove the spark plug and drain all of the oil from the cylinder before attempting to start the trimmer after storage.
4.Thoroughly clean the unit and inspect it for any loose or damaged parts. Repair or replace damaged parts and tighten loose screws, nuts or bolts. The unit is ready for storage.
TRANSPORTING
•Allow the engine to cool before transporting.
•Drain fuel from unit.
•Tighten fuel cap before transporting.
•Secure the unit while transporting.
ENGINE WILL NOT START
CAUSE | ACTION |
Empty fuel tank | Fill fuel tank with properly mixed fuel |
Primer bulb wasn't pressed enough | Press primer bulb fully and slowly 10 times |
Engine is flooded | Squeeze the trigger and pull the starter rope |
Old or improperly mixed fuel | Drain gas tank and add fresh fuel mixture |
Fouled spark plug | Replace or clean the spark plug |
Plugged spark arrestor | Clean or replace spark arrestor |
The outside temperature is below 40º F | Pull the starter rope up to |
The outside temperature is above 90º F | Squeeze the throttle control and pull the starter rope |
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ENGINE WILL NOT IDLE |
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CAUSE | ACTION |
Air filter is plugged | Replace or clean the air filter |
Old or improperly mixed fuel | Drain gas tank and add fresh fuel mixture |
Improper carburetor adjustment | Adjust according to the Carburetor Adjustments section |
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ENGINE WILL NOT ACCELERATE |
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CAUSE | ACTION |
Old or improperly mixed fuel | Drain gas tank and add fresh fuel mixture |
Improper carburetor adjustment | Take to an authorized service dealer for an adjustment |
Cutting attachment bound with grass | Stop the engine and clean the cutting attachment |
Dirty air filter | Clean or replace the air filter |
Plugged spark arrestor | Clean or replace spark arrestor |
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ENGINE LACKS POWER OR STALLS WHEN CUTTING
CAUSE | ACTION |
Old or improperly mixed fuel | Drain gas tank and add fresh fuel mixture |
Improper carburetor adjustment | Take to an authorized service dealer for an adjustment |
Fouled spark plug | Replace or clean the spark plug |
Plugged spark arrestor | Clean or replace spark arrestor |
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CUTTING ATTACHMENT WILL NOT ADVANCE LINE | |
CAUSE | ACTION |
Cutting attachment bound with grass | Stop the engine and clean cutting attachment |
Cutting attachment out of line | Refill with new line |
Inner reel bound up | Replace the inner reel |
Cutting head dirty | Clean inner reel and outer spool |
Line welded | Disassemble, remove the welded section and rewind |
Line twisted when refilled | Disassemble and rewind the line |
Not enough line is exposed | Push the bump knob and pull out line until 4 inches |
| (102 mm) of line is outside of the cutting attachment |
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CUTTING LINE ADVANCES UNCONTROLLABLY | |
CAUSE | ACTION |
Oil, cleaner or lubricant in cutting head | Clean and thoroughly dry the cutting head |
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If further assistance is required, contact your authorized service dealer.
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