[AT] Backpack leaf blower

Sat Dec 11 09:10:56 PST 2021

I failed to mention that pump gas regardless of octane at least here in
Smogafornia are all blended with a minimum of 10% ethanol. That is the
culprit in small engine demise. Other states may not be blessed with that
curse.
Brad

On Sat, Dec 11, 2021 at 9:06 AM Carl Gogol <cgogol1971 at gmail.com> wrote:

> My experience with regular gas parallels yours and everyone else’s.  High
> test and especially an alcohol free version of high test is quite storable
> in the tool, at least as long as the Winters in Syracuse.  I use Amsoil
> synthetic at 100:1 without issues. Eventually tools still need to have
> their spark arresters cleaned (burned off) or ports cleaned.  Performance
> in chainsaws is night and day between regular and highest.  I know the
> manufacturers say 87 octane is acceptable – but try it, you might like it.
> We use 20-30 gallons of mix a year between saws and weed whackers.
>
> Carl
>
>
>
> *From:* AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> *On Behalf Of *Brad
> Loomis
> *Sent:* Saturday, December 11, 2021 11:37 AM
> *To:* Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com
> >
> *Subject:* Re: [AT] Backpack leaf blower
>
>
>
> I got a dozen bottles of the 'silver' oil with two Stihl purchases.  But
> with the wide condemnation of using pump gas in small engines, I use my
> premix very sparingly and with a blend of the canned Stihl premix fuel.
> Yeah, a gallon can is $10? I don't even recall as my yard tools get less
> use as the yard becomes less and less with drought and synthetic grass. I
> don't let them sit idle with premix only in the tank, always sure to have
> some canned Stihl fuel in there.
>
> I've had a few small engine repair shops say even a single drop of pump
> gas can cause problems. We have a 21" Husqvarna string trimmer with a
> Briggs (4 stroke) that if it sits for more than a month or so I won't
> start. Same refrain, pump gas. I don't know how much canned gas for small 4
> strokes is but that can add up. Thankfully the rider is a 455 Deere diesel.
>
> Along the lines of the blower only running for a few after having straight
> gas, I have an Echo hedge trimmer that is a pain to get going. I can pump
> the prime bulb, choke, and it will fire. run nice at idle, but pull the
> trigger and it bogs and dies. It will go through those gyrations a dozen
> times or more and I'll give up. If it sits a few days, the next attempt it
> may fire right up and run like a greased ape. New plug, air cleaner, fuel
> filter, all the usual suspects with no improvement. Does anyone have ideas?
> It has always had only premix or canned 2 stroke fuel.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Dec 11, 2021 at 4:09 AM Stephen Offiler <soffiler at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Hi Mike:
>
>
>
> Sounds like a reasonable conclusion.  Between getting work done with a new
> one, and farting around experimentally with the old one, you made the call
> that's right for you.
>
>
>
> Have you played around with piston rings much in the past?  They are quite
> brittle to begin with. I'm not sure whether overheating would make them
> even more  brittle, but, maybe.  I think if they were seriously affected by
> heat, they might be discolored too.
>
>
>
> Another good call with concern about other internals.  Specifically,
> bearings.  Mains, conrod, and piston pin are all lubricated by that tiny
> bit of oil that's carried in with the gas mix.
>
>
>
> Hey,  while we're here, I'll put in a plug for synthetic 2-stroke oil.  I
> am a Stihl guy (Stihl vs Husky is like JD vs Farmall or Ford vs Chevy!) and
> Stihl packages 2 different products.  Little orange bottles are the
> regular, "perfectly OK" stuff, and for more money you get silver bottles
> with the synthetic oil.  I use silver bottles.  What I have noticed over
> time is that (a) the gas doesn't go stale (b) very little smoke or smell
> (c) I have never, and I am not exaggerating, NEVER purchased a spark plug.
> I've got a saw that's probably about 15 years old now, a weed whacker must
> be going on 20, and a hedge trimmer that I got at auction, who knows how
> old.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Steve O.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Dec 10, 2021 at 1:50 PM Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>
> I did tear it down further and removed the piston, When i tried to remove
> the upper piston ring it snapped and was very brittle, I assume from over
> heating. I bought a new blower, the exact same model, and will keep the old
> one as a parts machine. One concern I had with just replacing the jug and
> piston, is I don't know what internals might be damaged.
>
> Regards,
> Mike M
>
> On 12/9/2021 7:59 AM, Stephen Offiler wrote:
>
> Hi Mike:
>
>
>
> I didn't get any picture with this note.  Maybe it got stripped due to
> excessive image size?  There's a limit.  I think below around 350K (working
> from memory) is good to go.
>
>
>
> Steve O.
>
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 8, 2021 at 7:26 PM Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Steve,
> Here's a better picture of the scoring, this piston is literally the
> diameter of a silver dollar. my reason for the first pic was to figure out
> how to get the piston pin out. I may have to send this in separate posts.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike M
>
> On 12/8/2021 6:40 PM, Mike M wrote:
>
> Hi Moe,
> Here's a shot of the piston and the retaining pin, not really sure how to
> get the pin out since the retaining clip appears to be a washer not a cir
> clip. I can order a new cylinder, piston, pin, washers and and gaskets for
> about $40, a lot cheaper than a new blower. Thanks for any advice anyone
> can offer.
>
> 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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> Moe Fretz
>
> L’Orignal ON,
> Canada
>
>
>
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