Preparing Your Gas-Powered Lawn Trimmer for Winter Storage

This article is aimed at two-cycle weed whips, weed eaters etc. Most problems encountered with these machines are caused by the user. Important factors in that are fuel mixture, maintenance, and properly preparing your weed eater for the winter season. Fuel is 90% of the trouble when these machines won't start. Most of the time the machine has sat all winter long with the fuel left over from the past season, and it begins to tarnish and clog the fuel system. With a good understanding of gas powered trimmers you can get years of service out of one of these machines with very little effort.

There is really very little to properly maintaining a gas powered trimmer. The first thing to keep in mind is to make sure you are using the proper fuel mixture. Too lean a mixture will cause the piston rings to wear prematurely resulting in a loss of compression, and eventually the machine will not start. When this happens it is most generally more economical to replace the machine opposed to repairing it. To rich a fuel mixture results in excess smoking during operation and the spark plug will fail prematurely. It would appear that it is better for the machine to have more than adequate fuel to oil mixture. This may be true for the machine, but it isn't very friendly to our environment. With the machine and our environment in mind it is best to measure and get the proper mixture according to the manufactures specifications. Keep your machine clean, wipe it off after you use it, and inspect it for any defects. Check the air filter periodically making sure it is clean and not falling apart. A dirty air filter will cause the fuel mixture to be to rich due to lack of air flow. If the air filter begins to fall apart the particles enter the fuel system and create blockage. A rich fuel mixture also causes the screens in the exhaust system to become clogged , creating problems starting.. The cable that runs from the engine through the shaft, and to the trimmer head also needs lubricated periodically.

Properly preparing your gas-powered trimmer for the Winter season will ensure good service in the season ahead. Before storing the machine away during the off season, taking a few steps to prepare the machine will be very beneficial. Drain the unit of all fuel, then start the unit and allow it to run completely out of fuel, or you may use a fuel stabilizer and leave the fuel in the unit. Remove the muffler and clean the screen or screens out with a wire brush and re- install the muffler. Remove the spark plug, squirt a few drops of oil into the cylinder and rotate the engine a couple times. Don't touch the spark plug wire while doing this or you may get shocked. After setting the gap properly, install a new spark plug. There are tools to set the gap available, or feeler gauges may also be used. Replace the air filter with a new one. Check the fuel lines for leaks, cracks, or dry rot. Inspect wires for and needed repairs. Lubricate the cable inside of the shaft and refill the head with line. When spring rolls around your machine will provide you with the service you desire, avoiding the common headaches commonly known to theses machines not wanting to start. Every other year or so you may want to replace the fuel filter inside the fuel tank. Sometimes, with proper care these never need attention.