Eric Blankenburg
Garden Guides Editorial Policies
Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Eric Blankenburg
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How To Troubleshoot A Worx 2-In-1 Grass Trimmer
How to Troubleshoot a Worx 2-in-1 Grass Trimmer
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Trouble Starting A Leaf Blower After Using Unleaded Fuel
Trouble Starting a Leaf Blower After Using Unleaded Fuel. Leaf blowers commonly use a two-stroke internal combustion engine. These engines have very specific fuel requirements for their operation. They require two-stroke engine oil added to the gasoline before it enters the leaf blower's fuel tank. If unmixed gas is ever used in the leaf blower, piston and cylinder damage can happen within seconds.
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The Oil-To-Gas Ratio For The Craftsman 2.0 Chainsaw
The Oil-to-Gas Ratio for the Craftsman 2.0 Chainsaw. The Craftsman 2.0 chainsaw, as with all gas-powered Craftsman saws, requires mixed fuel for combustion. This fuel combines gasoline and an engine oil, which lubricates the piston and crankcase during operation. Without this specific amount of engine oil, the piston would overheat and blow out the cylinder, ruining the seals, piston and crankcase.
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My Lawn Mower Idles Rough Then Stalls
My Lawn Mower Idles Rough Then Stalls. A lawn mower's engine continues to run at low speeds when idling, pulling just enough fuel and air into the carburetor to keep combustion going. If the mower doesn't idle properly, it's usually because of a loss of fuel or air in the carburetor at these low speeds. To prevent these problems, do not store the mower with fuel in the system, and never use gas older than 30 days.
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Instructions For A Bolens BL100 Weed Eater
Instructions for a Bolens BL100 Weed Eater. The Bolens BL100 lawn trimming weed eater operates with a two-cycle engine. This trimmer, like all power tools, requires a safe operating procedure to reduce the potential for accidents and injuries. The cutting head moves at high rates of speed, so it can project sharp objects, like glass and rocks, outward, which can hit the operator or anyone nearby.
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How Does A STIHL Chainsaw Oil System Work?
How Does a STIHL Chainsaw Oil System Work?. The oil system on a Stihl chainsaw lubricates the engine and the bar and chain. With speeds over 10,000 rpm's, these engines and chains undergo a lot of stress and friction, which can heat up the engine and destroy many internal parts. For this reason, maintaining proper lubrication to the engine and the bar and chain is critical.
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How To Replace The String On A Weed Eater Twist 'N Edge RTE113C
How to Replace the String on a Weed Eater Twist 'n Edge RTE113C
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The Fuel To Oil Ratio For A Lawn-Boy Lawnmower
The Fuel to Oil Ratio for a Lawn-Boy Lawnmower. Lawn-Boy lawnmowers that operate with a two-cycle gas-powered engine will need a combination gasoline/oil fuel. Four-cycle Lawn-Boy lawnmowers don't require a fuel to oil ratio, or mixing of any fuels; they have a separate tank and oil pump to lubricate the crankcase. The fuel to oil ratio for two-cycle lawnmowers varies from model to model.
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How To Repair The Fuel Line On My Craftsman Weed Eater
How to Repair the Fuel Line on My Craftsman Weed Eater. A Craftsman weed eater uses a rubber hose to suction fuel up from the gas tank to the carburetor. This rubber hose will degrade over time and cause gas leaks, air leaks or starve the carburetor of fuel. Repairing the fuel line on these models requires fuel line replacement, as the rubber hoses will get damaged during their removal. Fuel lines require seasonal replacement at a minimum, or more often if you often work in dusty, dirty conditions.
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How To Replace The Starter Cord In Poulan Pro 31cc Trimmer
How to Replace the Starter Cord in Poulan Pro 31cc Trimmer. The starter cord in a Poulan Pro 31cc trimmer operates the rotor when the engine is cold. The starter cord attaches to a pulley and recoil spring, which, when pulled, spin the rotor fast enough to fire off the spark in the engine. Starter cords will stick and break with time and you eventually will need to replace them. Replacement cords come in a standard length and can be found at many home and garden stores.
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Why Won't A Troy Built EZ Start Trimmer Prime?
Why Won't a Troy Built EZ Start Trimmer Prime?. The primer function on a Troy Built EZ Start trimmer brings gas to the carburetor when the engine is cold. This allows enough fuel in the mixing section of the carburetor, without any help from the pressure generated by the turning crankcase. When this bulb stops filling, something inside the fuel system is suffocating the lines.
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How To Replace The Pawl On A Husqvarna Chainsaw
How to Replace the Pawl on a Husqvarna Chainsaw. The pawls on a Husqvarna chainsaw are connected to the flywheel. The flywheel is in turn connected to the starter. The starter pawls and springs underneath are serviceable, which can add to the life of your starter. In order to replace the starter pawls, you will need to remove the flywheel. Without the proper tools, parts diagrams and prior small engine knowledge, this task is better suited for a professional. For specific Husqvarna models, you'll want to use a specific parts list and only certified Husqvarna replacement parts.
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How To Remove A Homelite Trimmer Clutch
How to Remove a Homelite Trimmer Clutch. The clutch on Homelite trimmers is a centrifugal clutch, which includes a clutch drum, clutch shoes and spring. The crankshaft engages and spins the clutch, which powers the piston in the cylinder. The drum, shoes or spring can all wear out over time, and will need to be replaced. Removing the clutch on these trimmers can only be accomplished by blocking the piston from moving in the cylinder, therefore, this operation is better left to a professional or those who have prior small engine knowledge.
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How To Install A Primer Bulb In A Eager Beaver 2014 Chain Saw
How to Install a Primer Bulb in a Eager Beaver 2014 Chain Saw. The McCulloch Eager Beaver 2014 chain saw comes equipped with a rubber primer bulb. This bulb, when depressed, helps draw fuel from the tank into the carburetor when the engine is cold. The rubber on this bulb can deteriorate with age until small holes break the seal. The seal needs to be airtight for the suction to work properly. If you notice no gas filling the bulb when you depress it multiple times you will need to replace the bulb.
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How To Replace A Throttle Cable On A Homelite UT21566 Gas Trimmer
How to Replace a Throttle Cable on a Homelite UT21566 Gas Trimmer. The throttle cable on the Homelite UT21566 gas trimmer connects the trigger with the carburetor. Without this part, your trimmer will not accelerate. This cable may become detached from either the trigger or the starter housing and will need to be replaced. You can access the throttle cable by removing the control assembly. There are also ignition wires and an “On/Off” switch, which are also connected to the control assembly. You can also service these parts at this time if they are damaged.
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Chainsaw Throttle Cable Installation
Chainsaw Throttle Cable Installation. The throttle cable on a chainsaw runs from the throttle trigger to the carburetor. Squeezing the trigger pulls the cable, opening the carburetor and allowing in more fuel. The cable uses a locking mechanism, an important safety feature that ensures the chain only spins when the bottom trigger is squeezed and the top is pressed down.
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How To Replace The Speed Spool On A Troy-Bilt String Trimmer
How to Replace the Speed Spool on a Troy-Bilt String Trimmer. Troy-Bilt string trimmers operate with a moving head that runs at high speeds to slice through the base of weeds. The spool needs to spin fast enough, so if anything is preventing it from acquiring the necessary speeds, you won't get your trimmer to cut anything. Cracks, holes and other wear can cause the spool to slow down or work improperly. Replace the spool if you notice it slowing down or if it has cracks or other damage.
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Low Idle Problems With A Lawn Mower
Low Idle Problems With a Lawn Mower. A lawnmower engine will idle around 1,200 to 2,000 rpm. This idling system will allow just enough fuel into the carburetor for the combustion process to continue. When the mower has trouble idling, or idles too low, the mower will shut off. Often this is caused by a decrease in air or fuel to the carburetor.
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My Stihl Chainsaw Stalls After Cutting
My Stihl Chainsaw Stalls After Cutting. When the sawyer depresses the throttle trigger, a small cable opens up a vent on the carburetor, allowing more fuel into the chainsaw's carburetor. After the throttle is let go, the vent closes and a small amount of fuel is still let into the carburetor keep the engine idling. If the Stihl chainsaw stalls after cutting, it is likely from problems in the carburetor, which will require an adjustment.
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Ryobi Weed Eater Won't Run At Full Speed
Ryobi Weed Eater Won't Run at Full Speed. When the trigger is depressed, a throttle wire opens a valve on the carburetor, allowing more fuel to flow in through the jets. If the Ryobi weed eater won't operate at full speed or drops under full load, most likely the fuel or air supply is restricted in the carburetor. Find the source of the loss of air and fuel to get it running properly again.
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