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From LOCKTITE website (https://datasheets.tdx.henkel.com/LOCTITE-262-en_GL.pdf) for red 262 threadlocker used on blind holes: "Apply several drops of liquid threadlocker down the sides of the blind hole filling the lower third. Apply several drops to the bolt. If cure speed is too slow due to...

Ethanol has a lower heating value of approximately 76,330 Btu per gallon, while gasoline has a lower heating value ranging from 112,114 to 116,090 Btu per gallon. U.S. Department of Energy So, gasoline w/ 10% ethanol has 3–3.4 % less BTUs than straight gasoline. Ethanol's ability to contain...

Think how much it would cost to have the dealer do the work, then the cost of the parts you picked up will seem like a bargain.

This would be hard to do with such a small diameter bolt, but using a punch on the outside edge of the broken bolt and tapping with a hammer to reverse the bolt out sometimes works, especially when the bolt isn't stuck in the threads by corrosion (or blue Loctite).

I've found that a 3/4" PVC pipe cap fits spouts that have a smooth outlet (no threads) snugly enough to seal the can. The cap keeps moisture from entering the can, which is more important when using gas/ethanol, and it obviously keeps out dirt, etc. It also prevents evaporation of the fuel.

I was told that when charging a battery the electrolyte should not exceed 130 degrees F to prevent damage to the battery. Many years ago specific gravity testers were used to determine the charge in a battery, and they contained a thermometer inside the tester to monitor the electrolyte...

From the internet: "For engine oil filtration, particles larger than 20 microns are considered the most damaging, while particles smaller than 5 microns are less likely to cause significant wear. Generally, maintaining a filtration system that captures particles in the range of 5 to 20 microns...

If a little is good, then more is better. It's the American way. Applies to many things, like sealant, grease, oil level, premixing oil and gas, sharpening a mower blade, tire pressure, tightening a bolt, etc. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

I've had a ring trapped by carbon in the piston groove cause the piston/cylinder to score when combustion gases pass into the lower end of the engine. Carbon can clog the spark arrestor screen and plug the exhaust. The fuel cap vent can not vent the tank when the fuel is drawn from it, causing a...

I took auto mechanics out of high school over 55 years ago. We had an Autolite rep come in for a day or two to discuss their products, and mechanics in general. He had worked in the industry for many years and had a lot of stories to tell. He also told us they contracted for their products from...

I usually try to use the excuse that my head jumped time. Most people don't know what that means anyway, and if they do, they can usually empathize.

If the hose is too short or the wall thickness is too thin, or both, it would be more prone to kinking. It is exposed to vacuum/pressure as the piston cycles up/down, causing the crankcase/cylinder volume to fluctuate.

If the exhaust pipe intake in the out building isn't near the exhaust discharge of the generator, it might help to reroute it to catch the exhaust as it leaves the gen's exhaust discharge point. An inline fan mounted as far away from the exhaust pipe intake (to reduce the temperature of the...

It's been years since I used the type of spark plug cap (Sparky, if I recall correctly) in your picture on my dirt bikes. As I recall, I lubed the wire insulation with motor oil and stuck in into the small end of the cap until it bottomed at the 90 deg. turn. I then used needle nose pliers to...

I worked as an industrial maintenance manager for years. When equipment failure caused production stoppage (most often from operator error), production personnel wanted to know how long to get it operational. I would estimate how long I thought it should take and then tell them double that time...

Does #2 cylinder miss at all rpm ranges? Idling or gradually revving through the rpm range while sitting still; riding while coasting or under different loads/power levels? If it misses only at a certain rpm range or loads/power levels, it might help identify which fuel circuit in the carb is at...

Manual 2-stroke compression releases were used for braking, when the drum brakes back then would wear out in one enduro, sometimes before it was over. Disc brakes solved that problem.

I would expect the tolerance to be in percentage, or linearly, in proportion to the length of the belt. If a 3" variation in length for the same part number (3.14% in this case; a 50" belt would be 6%) is the best the manufacturer can hold, they need to get out of the v-belt business. Maybe...

Brand loyalty would likely be dependent on experience with similar equipment of a particular brand. Once an owner has a bad experience with a previously trusted brand, trust is eroded and justifies a close look at other brands.

If nothing else is available, spray can chain lube goes on as a thin liquid to penetrate into the side plates, rollers and pins. The carrier solvent then evaporates to leave lube the consistency of tacky grease that doesn't sling out of the chain. Should work on suspension components if you can...

Much of the used oil is fired in cement kilns and other fired equipment that can get complete combustion of the waste oil. Gasoline and other combustibles in the oil are not an issue for these types of equipment.

Many years ago, when things were simpler, and much less technical, it was known that Quaker State brand engine oils were refined from paraffin based crude oils from PA. Most other engine oils at the time were asphaltic based. When wet clutches that were lubricated by engine oil were using...

It would seem that if the mower rep has admitted the cut is poor, they and the dealer should be more involved in identifying a solution. If the rep isn't sufficiently experienced, a factory specialist should be involved. Let this be their problem to resolve. It isn't likely that you are the only...

Different subject, but still gas container related. I found that a 3/4" PVC pipe cap will fit my old Blitz-type cans that have a rigid poly spout. The PVC withstands fuel, and they are easy on/off with a twist/push/pull. The original caps seem to have a way of disappearing over the years.

Was there any entertainment value to this inquiry and subsequent thread?

If you only need to use the splitter in colder weather a few times a year, keeping a can of starting fluid handy might resolve the issue in the easiest manner I can think of. It is not a very technical solution, but how much effort is it worth to get it to start in the cold so rarely?

I noticed the same thing you did. I suggest cutting the same area again while pushing the clippings to one side to clear the surface of excess loose grass, then inspect the area afterward to reassess the evenness of the cut.

If you purchased a head gasket set, could the seals have fallen out unseen when the package was opened? The seals look new; no oil. How well does the pushrod fit the hole in the seal?

It might not be more or not much more expensive to hire someone to cut your grass with their equipment, compared to renting a mower. There might be delivery and pickup charges with a rental that have to be added to the cost of rental and fuel cost as well. Then your time is worth something. Just...

My understanding is that clearances between mating parts are much tighter in current automotive engines, compared to what was normal in the past. This requires a lower viscosity oil to get between mating parts, which also reduces friction and improves fuel consumption. Tighter piston to cylinder...

Are we still talking about engine oils, or did you switch things up when I dozed off for a moment? Salad dressing, maybe?

Does that eliminate the need for castor oil? Or is the canola oil already extracted from the canola before meal time?

That must be where naugahide.

I prefer peanut oil, it tolerates higher temps better than canola oil. Besides, I don't even know what a canola looks like or where it lives. Not many people around these days that remember re-refined oil, I suspect. I had a friend in high school who had a Fairlane w/ a V-8 that burned so much...

I prefer peanut oil, it tolerates higher temps better than canola oil. Besides, I don't even know what a canola looks like, or where it lives.

I generally keep my equipment, so I maintain it reasonably well myself. I have never had an oil related failure in any of my engines, but I use the recommended grade of oils and filters, if so equipped. In a 12-month automotive maintenance course I took after high school in 1968-69, we had an...

V-belt manufacturers have generic info on their websites, cross-section, length, etc. Bearings and drives distributors are also a good source for v-belts, and their websites usually have sizing methods too.

This is somewhat off-topic but related to the hard start problem. Compact engines usually have a smaller diameter starter cord pulley, which makes them harder to pull over due to having less leverage than a larger diameter pulley. I suspect that is what led to the easy start systems. I have a...

Try running it with the fuel tank cap loosened to rule out the possibility that the vent isn't allowing air into the tank as the fuel level drops. If so, a vacuum forms in the tank and fuel flow into the carb bowl is gradually reduced until the engine stops. It is simple to test and costs...

When trying to insert a hose into a slightly smaller hole, I sometimes trim the outside diameter of the hose to put a slight bevel on it to help start it into the hole. Some lube on the outside of the hose (KY-jelly... oh never mind, I may be thinking of something else; just use motor oil) can...

Sounds like he was one of the "educated beyond his level of intelligence" students.

The float sticking shouldn't cause the fuel line to empty after 15 minutes of running. If anything, it should allow the fuel line to be full if there is no flow into the carb. With all that has been tried, the problem sounds a bit tricky and less common. If the lack of fuel flow is causing the...

Efficient engineering will design a product that spends no more than necessary for it to last through the warranty period. The exception is for a product that pays for the higher price through reduced failures and production downtime (i.e., Caterpillar, for example). Many years ago, Black &...

A K&N should last if given some care. I think I saw on the K&N website that they have a lifetime warranty. You might want to check, if you buy another, be aware that they are proud of them and don't give them away. An opening in the intake manifold would allow dust into the engine and cause...

In the lower picture, I see a parting line on the intake manifold, where the molds join together during the plastic injection process. Is the flashing at the parting line that misaligned, causing a shadow in the picture, or has the manifold split open at the parting line? Does the air filter...

Duckbill valves should vent in only one direction, if they seal well.

Try removing the battery cable connections on both battery terminals and clean them well. I've experienced similar symptoms due to corrosion between the cable connector and the battery post (or solenoid, or ground). If this happens, its possible nothing electrical works: starter, lights, etc. It...

You didn't describe the issue you are experiencing. Vapor lock is caused by a liquid being heated enough to cause it to vaporize. When it cools enough, it will go back into liquid form. Like water, if it is under pressure, it takes a higher temperature to vaporize. Rerouting the fuel line away...

Going from a 105 mm drive pulley to a 120 mm drive pulley would speed up the travel speed by ~14.3% to ~5.9 km/hr, not reduce it. If you meant the driven pulley instead, the speed would be reduced by 12.5% to ~4.6 km/hr, which is in the ballpark. If the other recommendations fail, an industrial...

Try jacking the front end off the ground, grab the tire and wiggle it to check for loose bushings, etc. I would expect them to be quite worn if it is apparent just looking at the wheels. There should be bushings on the steering and the wheel hubs. It would take a lot of force to bend the axles...