How to Repair a Gas Weed Eater Stripped Spark Plug

If you opt for the weed eater trimmers for your garden mowing task, then you should know that it comes in both electric-powered and gas-powered varieties. If you choose to have the gas-powered trimmer, then you can enjoy increased portability and even more horsepower. You certainly have to encounter some drawback occasionally which might even require engine maintenance.

Among those concerns that occasionally occur with the gas-powered trimmer involves the threads holding the spark plug. These threads might have become stripped. The stripped threads eventually cause the Weed Eater trimmer to not start. In the worst case scenario, the spark plug might even blow out. Even if the spark plug blows out though, do not think that the Weed Eater is already ruined. The problem can still be fixed and you can get the weed wacker operating again safely.

Steps to Repair the Gas Weed Eater Stripped Spark Plug

Step 1: You have to remove the spark plug from the engine. There are times when you notice the spark plug having dark residues on it. This is the result of the spark plug operating while the threads are already stripped.

Step 2: Take note of the diameter of your stripped spark plug. You might even need to measure it yourself. By measuring the diameter of your stripped spark plug, then you can easily determine exactly what size of the tap you should get.

Step 3: Coating the tap with grease is the next step you should take. You will need to insert the tap right back into the spark plug cylinder. Make sure that you thread it as carefully as possible into the existing cylinder threads. This way, you can turn it and create new threads matching up with your existing ones.

Step 4: You should then remove the tap, turning it toward the opposite direction so that you can back the tap out of its threads. There might be metal chips created if you cut the new threads. They might stick easily to the grease you applied on the tap.

Step 5: Slide the threaded repair coil over the coil installation mandrel’s end. Take note that you have to line up the small wire tang which crosses the coil’s center with the mandrel’s raised flat portion.

Step 6: Insert both the coil and mandrel straight into the opening of the spark plug. You should then turn the mandrel so that you can guide the coil properly through the threads that are newly repaired. After that, you will have to remove the mandrel. You can do that by pulling the mandrel straight out after you have fully installed the coil.

Step 7: The next step is to grasp the coil’s tang. It should be easier for you to do that if you use a pair of needle-nose pliers. You will also have to twist the coil’s tang a bit. That way, you can allow it to break off at a location that was already pre-scored. You will then have to remove the tang carefully off of the cylinder.

Step 8: Focus on your spark plug afterward. You will need to clean it off properly. After properly cleaning the spark plug, you can then reinstall it back to the engine.

Step 9: Ensure that the installed coil is providing a tight grip for the spark plug. The installed coil is also what securely keeps the spark plug in its rightful place. If you can ensure these things, then you can definitely promote normal operation for the Weed Eater trimmer.

Step 10: Check whether or not the Weed Eater trimmer will already start. If the Weed Eater trimmer is already starting properly, then that is a sign that you have successfully repaired the stripped spark plug.

Verdict

With these steps, it should not be a difficult task for you to repair the gas spark plug that has already been stripped. Remember that there is nothing beneficial for you to leave the stripped spark plugs on their own. In fact, you might experience more problems with your weed eater trimmer if you just leave it as it is. If you do not want to experience a lot of hassle with your weed eater trimmer, then you better make sure you repair the threads for your spark plug as soon as you verify that is already stripped.