[AT] Backpack leaf blower

Sat Dec 4 04:00:18 PST 2021

If by "machinist" you're thinking of boring the cylinder and installing
oversize piston, that's not an option.  The plating is the show-stopper.
I'm shocked by Carl's estimate of $35 for piston kit and cylinder... I can
take exactly one guess what the country of origin is, but still, with all
the middlemen and shipping, we're talking manufacturing costs in the range
of just a few dollars.  Good luck, and whatever you decide, I hope it is
available.

SO

On Fri, Dec 3, 2021 at 8:01 PM Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:

> Hi Steve, cylinder is hard plated and is scored on the exhaust side. Looks
> like the engine is toast. It took me me forever to tear it down. Looks like
> a new blower is in my future. It would cost me more to have a machinist
> repair it than to replace it.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike M
>
> On 12/3/2021 7:19 PM, Stephen Offiler wrote:
>
> I am still curious about the cylinder.  Still assuming it has no liner,
> just hard plating.  If all that's true... how's it look?!
>
> SO
>
> On Fri, Dec 3, 2021 at 6:49 PM Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Brian and Carl, yes when it dies it will still pull over easily but it
>> will not start. At this point, I've fully torn it down, and the piston is
>> really messed up. Looks like a time for a new one. I have about 2 acres to
>> blow clean, so no 5 minutes Brian LOL.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mike M
>>
>>
>> On 12/3/2021 11:41 AM, Carl Szabelski wrote:
>>
>> When cold, the cylinder is smaller in diameter, so you get enough
>> compression to start with a worn ring. As it warms up you start to lose
>> compression as the cylinder expands to the point where the worn ring no
>> longer provides enough sealing and it stalls. Now, you may say that the
>> worn ring is also expanding against the cylinder wall, and it does, but not
>> as much as it should. It’s also expanding on its internal surface, so it’s
>> creating a gap at the piston groove, allowing the piston to essentially
>> flop around. That’s what allows the piston to hit the cylinder wall once
>> it’s not being kept centered in the cylinder. You can pull on the cord and
>> feel what you think is compression, but it’s mostly resistance from all the
>> other moving pieces.
>>
>> Carl
>>
>> On Thursday, December 2, 2021, Brian VanDragt <bvandragt at comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Well if you can get your leaves blown in 5 minutes, you don't have to do
>>> anything to it, but you know at least the piston is scored and you can't
>>> replace it without taking everything else apart. When it quits can you turn
>>> it over with the rope or is it stuck?
>>>
>>> Brian
>>>
>>> -------- Original message --------
>>> From: Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com>
>>> Date: 12/2/21 10:37 PM (GMT-05:00)
>>> To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
>>> Subject: Re: [AT] Backpack leaf blower
>>>
>>> Hi Brian it will run, but only for 5 minutes or so, then it's dead.
>>>
>>> Mike M
>>>
>>> On 12/2/2021 10:22 PM, Brian VanDragt wrote:
>>>
>>> No matter what parts are damaged, it's not running now, and it's not
>>> going to fix itself. Just take it apart and see what you need to fix it.
>>>
>>> Brian
>>>
>>> -------- Original message --------
>>> From: Carl Szabelski <c.s.szabelski at gmail.com> <c.s.szabelski at gmail.com>
>>> Date: 12/2/21 10:05 PM (GMT-05:00)
>>> To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group
>>> <at at lists.antique-tractor.com> <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [AT] Backpack leaf blower
>>>
>>> One more thing that you might be able to do is push the piston down,
>>> pull the spark plug, and try to see the wall by looking through the spark
>>> plug hole.
>>>
>>> Carl
>>>
>>> On Thursday, December 2, 2021, Carl Szabelski <c.s.szabelski at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> If you pull the head, you’ll probably find that the cylinder wall is
>>>> also scored. Try pushing the piston down and sticking a finger in to see if
>>>> you can feel the wall. Maybe use something like a small dental mirror. If
>>>> the wall is scored you can probably get a new one as well.
>>>>
>>>> Carl
>>>>
>>>> On Thursday, December 2, 2021, Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Here is the best picture I could get after pulling the muffler. Looks
>>>>> like the piston is toast. Any thoughts?
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards, Mike M
>>>>>
>>>>> On 12/2/2021 6:39 PM, Moe Fretz wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> So what's the cylinder inside look like?
>>>>> Can you save it?
>>>>> Husqvarna trimmer is well worth the repair costs.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Thu, Dec 2, 2021 at 3:11 PM Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> So I pulled apart my leaf blower today, and looked at the exhaust
>>>>>> port, as was suggested. Heavy scoring on the piston. So you were right, she
>>>>>> ran it with straight fuel.
>>>>>> Mike M
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 11/27/2021 7:20 PM, Moe Fretz wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No, engine has experienced a lean seizure.
>>>>>> Lack of lube is another way to put it.
>>>>>> No quick fix.
>>>>>> The engine will need a piston and rings at the least.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Pull off the muffler, look in at the piston, you’ll see the piston
>>>>>> scored on the exhaust side.
>>>>>> If you’re lucky the cylinder isn’t damaged, you’ll have to
>>>>>> pull the cylinder to check it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Used to do 15 or 20 of those every year.
>>>>>> One quick error, sometimes, can cost a lot of money.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sat, Nov 27, 2021 at 15:33 Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So my lovely wife was out blowing leaves the other day with my
>>>>>>> backpack
>>>>>>> blower, and it ran out of fuel. She mistakenly filled it with
>>>>>>> straight
>>>>>>> lawnmower gas, and after a bit it started to stumble and then quit.
>>>>>>> She
>>>>>>> came in to tell me about it and ask what the problem was. When I
>>>>>>> looked
>>>>>>> at the tank I noticed there was no blue tint in the gas, and I asked
>>>>>>> her
>>>>>>> what can she filled it from, and she pointed to the gas container I
>>>>>>> use
>>>>>>> for my zero turn. I told her that was straight gas, and she needed to
>>>>>>> use the 2 cycle mix, that is in another red 5 gallon can, honest
>>>>>>> mistake. She claims I told her to use that fuel, when I know I did
>>>>>>> not.
>>>>>>> I used it today and it will run for about 5 minutes and then sputter
>>>>>>> out
>>>>>>> and die, like it's running out of gas. It will restart, but then the
>>>>>>> same scenario starts all over again. Is their any chance of saving
>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>> engine? Maybe a higher oil/gas ratio? Thanks in advance.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> Mike M
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
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>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Moe Fretz
>>>>>>
>>>>>> L’Orignal ON,
>>>>>> Canada
>>>>>>
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