Small engine help!

[S10xGN]

Hi All,

I've got 2 Bolens BL100 string trimmers, one is 6 years old, the other was bought new in Dec '07 and stored until last month. The older one quit throwing spark, so I got the "new" one out and got 30 minutes use from it before it, too, quit sparking. Bought 3 new plugs and none of these will spark in either engine. Took the old one apart and tried all combinations of mag/flywheel clearance and plug gaps, nothing (not gonna play with the "new" one yet). Here's the strange part, I can pull the plug off the boot, insert a 1/4" drill bit into the boot and get spark by holding it next to the block! It's weak as hell, but a spark... Anyways, I bought a new magneto assembly just to see if that's it, but I'm not too hopeful. All I can see is flywheel (magnets), magneto, or spark plug. Do these things take a special plug?

 

[S10xGN]

Got the new magneto in and still no spark. These things must take some special plug, can't see it being the flywheel as the magnets are bonded in and machined...

 

[jpratt]

The spark on those engines is not very bright and the way you are testing is not accurate. Put a "spark Tester" inline with the coil and then ground it against the block. Using a screwdriver is not accurate enough to see in daylight. With price of new trimmers in the Bolens range is it worth much time trying to fix? We turn away those things from my repair shop unless they are still under warranty.

 

[S10xGN]

I have a bad back and these little Bolens jobs are light enough for me to sling around. Besides I hate the clutch heads which are about all you can find in a quality 'eater anymore. My"new" one only has 30 minutes so I don't see any point in tossing it just yet. I'll look for my spark tester, haven't used it in years...

 

[GullsGN]

I have gone through a few string trimmers and other small engine items, chains saws, leaf blowers, etc. Almost every one died in 3 or 4 years and almost always it was the damn little plastic fuel line from the tank to the carb. Usually starts with a little crack. Acts like it is getting no spark. Spray some Quick Start into the air intake and see if it almost starts to confirm spark.

 

[S10xGN]

Im BaaAaack!

Hi again,

This thing has me really puzzled. I was about to throw them both out today and decided to try one more time. Previously, I had been spinning the partially stripped engines over with a 1/2" drill motor on the snout and getting nothing. It's been a month and I couldn't remember CW or CCW, so I grabbed the part of the shell with the pull-cord and stuck it on there to see. Spark all over the place! Immediately removed the pull-cord and tried the drill motor again and nothing. I've looked all over the pull-cord shell and it's not touching anywhere or making any kind of connection or ground or current flow path. WTF!!!! Can anyone figure this out for me?

 

[Firechaser]

Buy an Echo and be done with it forever :biggrin:
My blower is 15 years old and my weedwacker is about 7-8 years old....never, ever a problem w/ either..spent a few bucks initially but no probs

 

[S10xGN]

I guess if I was a democrat I'd just say hallelujah, be thankful it's working again, and call it a day. But having a somewhat analytical mind, I'd really like to know why this thing will only fire with the pull-cord shroud in place...

 

[asto-t]

Buy an Echo and be done with it forever :biggrin:
My blower is 15 years old and my weedwacker is about 7-8 years old....never, ever a problem w/ either..spent a few bucks initially but no probs

Thats X2 the little jap motors run good!

 

[JOHNDEEREGN]

Russ go buy a Stihl and never look back

 

[asto-t]

Russ, try and search youtube for repair info. there`s is a good number of repair video`s on small engines. You might find your answer. or understand why its not creating spark

 

[S10xGN]

Russ go buy a Stihl and never look back

Man, I put a new magneto on and it's running fine now. I wasted a month trying to get it to fire by spinning it with a drill motor, got fire the first time with the pull-cord shroud. Just struggling with why it only fires with the shroud on...

Russ, try and search youtube for repair info. there`s is a good number of repair video`s on small engines. You might find your answer. or understand why its not creating spark

Been there, done that. They all show how to check for spark, but never an explanation of things when there is none.