Is a Spark Arrestor really Necessary?

[bertsmobile1]

It will depend very much on the insurance company and your previous claim history and the fine print on the policy .
Some will go to any length to avoid paying a claim .
And some will try any ploy to trick you into not mounting a claim ,
Down here we have contributory neglegence that can and often is used to reduce the amount paid out.
But to not pay at all the insurance company has to prove malicious intent

 

[BTBO]

Yesterday, I tried to fire up my FS45 trimmer, and it was very hard to start...15 or 20 pulls to get it going, and then, it barely ran....giving it any throttle killed the engine, and it was spewing some black stuff out of the exhaust. I finished my trimming with my other weed whacker, then decided to repair the fs45 today. I checked the obvious...plug, air filter, even changed the fuel filter....no help. Then I pulled the spark arrestor, and it was completely clogged. I tried burning the carbon with a torch, but had minimal luck. I soaked it in some gasoline for 1/2 hour, dried it off and torched it again...still couldn't see much clean screen. Finally, I removed the screen, reinstalled the spark arrestor plug, and then the trimmer started right up on the 2nd pull, and ran better than it has in months.

My question is...is this screen Really necessary...other than to satisfy some government regulation?? Before I spend $20 for a new arrestor, which may clog up again in the future, I would like other opinions on this.

Thx, in advance.

After using a torch on the screen, "scrub" it with a wire toothbrush. At least that method works for me.

 

[hlw49]

Never ever take the screen out. It is a federal mandate. if you take it out and start a fire you are responsible for the damage it causes. They are too easy to clean to take out. Take a propane tourch and heat it red hot the hit it with compressed air and it will blow the carbon out.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Never ever take the screen out. It is a federal mandate. if you take it out and start a fire you are responsible for the damage it causes. They are too easy to clean to take out. Take a propane tourch and heat it red hot the hit it with compressed air and it will blow the carbon out.

Yep, for liability I clean and replace spark arrestor. Torch it, hit it with a wire brush, hit it with air compressor and reinstall. Not uncommon to see clogged or partially clogged spark arrestors on equipment.