I have a Stihl string trimmer. 10+ years of service and never a complaint. Then over the weekend when I got it out to hack at the jungle I call a yard at the farmhouse, I just couldn't get it to stay lit. I replaced the spark plug, the air filter and gas filter - and it got WORSE! It wouldn't even pop then.
I know the small engine guy would charge me at least $50 just to look at it. And if it needs the carb cleaned, I bet the bill would exceed the value of the trimmer.
Now string trimmers aren't cheap, nor are they really expensive. They are right in that uncomfortable zone when you are thinking about replacing one. The one I'd replace this one with would be about $375. Just enough to hurt when I HAD a perfectly working one the last time I put it away.
I thought about offering the dead one to the small engine guy as a trade in towards a new one, but he'd be looking at shop time to get it running and then still would not be able to get much for it.
Normally, this would not be a problem, but the wedding is sucking money out of our accounts at an alarming rate. We just shouldn't be buying a trimmer this year.
So, I decided I'd take it apart and clean everything I could get to come apart with a torx or screwdrivers. I'm competent with little parts, I've taken apart a Ruger Mark I and put it back together successfully (astoundingly way more complex than 1911s which I work on all the time).
I cleared off the bench and had at it. Understandably, the carburetor (about the size of a large walnut) was filthy inside. I cleaned everything I could get to and liberally sprayed every opening with cleaner.
Reassembly went without a hitch.
Off to the garage and fuel!
It runs like new!!
Sometimes, when it seems like it is all piling up around you, even a little victory can make the week much better.
I know the small engine guy would charge me at least $50 just to look at it. And if it needs the carb cleaned, I bet the bill would exceed the value of the trimmer.
Now string trimmers aren't cheap, nor are they really expensive. They are right in that uncomfortable zone when you are thinking about replacing one. The one I'd replace this one with would be about $375. Just enough to hurt when I HAD a perfectly working one the last time I put it away.
I thought about offering the dead one to the small engine guy as a trade in towards a new one, but he'd be looking at shop time to get it running and then still would not be able to get much for it.
Normally, this would not be a problem, but the wedding is sucking money out of our accounts at an alarming rate. We just shouldn't be buying a trimmer this year.
So, I decided I'd take it apart and clean everything I could get to come apart with a torx or screwdrivers. I'm competent with little parts, I've taken apart a Ruger Mark I and put it back together successfully (astoundingly way more complex than 1911s which I work on all the time).
I cleared off the bench and had at it. Understandably, the carburetor (about the size of a large walnut) was filthy inside. I cleaned everything I could get to and liberally sprayed every opening with cleaner.
Reassembly went without a hitch.
Off to the garage and fuel!
It runs like new!!
Sometimes, when it seems like it is all piling up around you, even a little victory can make the week much better.
