NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

[funpilot]

I got in a hurry and used old gasoline/oil mix for my leaf blower, and didn't really shake the can first. I thought that with the better oils they would stay mixed. Sure enough, the engine started to slow down. I shut it off, checked compression and only had 50 psi. I tore off the covers and dismantled it to get at the engine. A stuck coked upper ring, the lower ring was fine, but there was some scuffing going on in the cylinder and piston. The little 25cc motor is rebuildable, but I figured I couldn't wait for parts, and a new leaf blower was only $99 dollars.

I ran the new one on fresh mix and then checked its compression, and it is 100 psi. Just for fun I decided to check on-line and see what parts were available. The old unit had seen four seasons of hard use. I had repaired the leaf bag once (that's why I really have one, to mulch up the leaves to a smaller volumn) and the impeller was pretty chewed up from a few too many sticks. Total parts, the piston, cylinder, seal kits and impeller would have been $66 plus shipping.

I decided to save the old parts, I installed the old chop blade to my new 'less capable' model (the new one is one model lower, it was all the store had), and resolved to use fresh mix in my two cycle toys.

funpilot

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

I use sea foam in my weed trimmer, chain saws, lawn mowers 2 strokes and 4 strokes alike. I also like to over mix my oil to gas for extra protection.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

50 compression may not be bad. A lot of the smaller two stroke and 4 stroke motors have compression relief valves. My snow blower only blows 25 lbs of pressure because of the relief valve. My tecumseh ice auger has a manual compression release valve so that cranking it is easier.

 

[funpilot]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

Bob, I like the idea of using Sea Foam. I'll try that.

Eurolarva, the new motor has 100 psi compression, and the old motor was scuffed with a stuck ring. These are only 25cc, a tea cup sized piston running in a tiny cylinder. The connecting rod looks like a tinkertoy! No relief valve, just poor operation by the operator!

warmly,
funpilot

 

[DJ]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

I'd have just thrown some Sea Foam in her and ler her rip. Nothing to lose. That stuff will definetely uncoke that ring and cylinder scores be damned. Run it.

Sea Foam can't fix the "chopper" though. d

 

[Boomyal]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

I use sea foam in my weed trimmer, chain saws, lawn mowers 2 strokes and 4 strokes alike. I also like to over mix my oil to gas for extra protection.

how do you apply the seafoam to these implements Bob. All mine have quite a few years on them and probably would not hurt to give them a treatment.

Also, for FunPilot. Breakin your new unit then switch to 100:1 Amsoil two cycle. I've run my Echo string edger and a generic leave blower on it for 18 years. I have never even changed the plug in either of them. They all still start real easy.

 

[DJ]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

Put the Sea Foam in the filling can. It will also stabilize the fuel-for winter.

Double the dose the instructions give you.

Amsoil? Who knows? Use good oil with a liberal dose of Sea Foam and you're good to go.

I'm not one for ignoring factory mix recommendations. Use GOOD oil for the device. DO NOT use outboard oil in an air cooled device and DO NOT use air cooled oil in an outboard.

Good outboard oil will carry the designation---TCW-3. All else is: ?????

 

[Scaaty]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

Jeezz, throw the thing in the garbage. Like ants pissing on a forest fire. Pick up a $50 junk lawnmower with a rear bag and set the wheels on the highest setting. Run the damn pile of leaves over, and done. Been doing it for years. I have a LOT of trees, a mess of rock driveway, and I just mow them up like I was cutting the grass. Wear safety glasses, and if your over rocks, watch for flying objects (like rocks!)

 

[funpilot]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

Scaaty,

I've done it your way, the volumn reduction with the leaf blower is much better, and I don't have to empty the bag as often. Thanks for the suggestion!

Boomyal,

This thing is 40:1 and I was using a quality aircooled mix. I would be nervous about the 100:1 too.

DWJ,

It wasn't going to start again, and like you said... that impeller looked pretty bad.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: NOT rebuilding a leaf blower

Boomyal,

This thing is 40:1 and I was using a quality aircooled mix. I would be nervous about the 100:1 too.

Aw, sceptics funpilot. My 18 y/o tools are living proof. Always start right up, never any excessive smoke cloud.
Every time I refill, I just shake the can before I pour.

I ran a 100 hp Evinrude, on my 30 ft houseboat, from 1979 to 1988. Used Amzoil 100:1 all those years. I never changed the sparkplugs. Sold the boat in 1988 and the new owners could not believe how that engine ran.

During that time, all my friends with houseboats had horrible times getting them started in the spring. On mine, I'd prime it, hit the key three times and it would fire right up without the clouds of choking blue smoke.

There is a reason why it works and gives incredible life to plugs etc.