[AT] Backpack leaf blower

Sat Dec 4 10:33:52 PST 2021

I am a frequent visitor to a couple of chainsaw forums, and there is much discussion regarding the aftermarket repair parts from overseas – China specifically.  Generally, they are hit or miss in terms of reliability and longevity.  I admit to having used a Chinese piston on a small Stihl for my brother-in-law and it’s still running as far as I know.  These parts are very attractive in terms of price as compared to OEM, but if I cared about the piece of equipment I was fixing and were to depend on it, I don’t think I would use anything but OEM for it.

Regards,

Kyle Sands <>< Brandon, MN

From: AT [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike M
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2021 12:26 PM
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject: Re: [AT] Backpack leaf blower

I agree Steve, I need the blower know, even if a piston was and cylinder were available, it would take forever to get one. Most things made today with a few exceptions are throw away. How'd you like to be a TV repairman these days? :)

Thanks,
Mike M
On 12/4/2021 7:00 AM, Stephen Offiler wrote:
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<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto:meulenms at gmx.com>>
Date: 12/2/21 10:37 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com<mailto: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><mailto: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><mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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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Moe Fretz

L’Orignal ON,
Canada

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