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Burning hair?

#1

N

NYGIANT

My leaf blower recently developed a distinct smell of burning hair and stalls after 5-10 minutes, any ideas? FYI It's a Craftsman 2 cycle, 25cc engine - model# 316.791600. Thank you!


#2

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

When it stalls, does it do so abruptly, or does it start bogging and struggling before finally cutting out?


#3

N

NYGIANT

It struggles and bogs down before finally stalling.


#4

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

Has it been doing this since new? How old is it?

When you press the primer bulb, how long does it take to pop back out?


#5

N

NYGIANT

The primer bulb pops right back out when depressed - no change or problem there. The blower is about 2 years old and this problem just started recently. FYI, already checked the plug and wire, took out the carburetor and cleaned it, checked the air filter and gas lines, used fresh gas, cleaned the spark arrestor and the exhaust port - both had minimal carbon build up. At this point I'm thinking bad muffler? I didn't find enough carbon build up to think that might be the problem in the muffler but where else could that smell be coming from? The blower seems to run a bit hotter than usual before it stalls too.


#6

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

Sounds like the carburetor needs tuning. I wouldn't say there's any particular cause for this other than normal engine wear. Edit: If you took the carburetor apart, that's probably one reason why the adjustment is off.

You can get a carburetor adjustment screwdriver for a few dollars online, I think your carb takes a Pac Man style screwdriver.

Now, follow these two directions very carefully:

- When adjusting, start the blower and run it till it exhibits the issue. Using your screwdriver, open the "H" mixture screw slowly until the engine stops bogging and performs well. Then open it about 1/4 turn more. If this does not work, report back for further instructions. Experimenting randomly with the carb screws will result in a ruined engine or an engine that won't run.

- Don't use the blower until you can fix the issue. You are in danger of overheating and ruining the engine. If you have to use it, run it on half choke.


#7

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

The smell is very hot engine/very hot muffler. As I mentioned, you are in danger of overheating things if you keep using it as is.


#8

B

bertsmobile1

Take the cover off the fan and check for hair wrapped around the shaft .
IT gets sucked in from your cloths and builds up around the shaft.
Also check around the cylinder cause if it does not get caught on the shaft, it gets stuck between the fins and the cover .
This also causes the engine to overheat.


#9

N

NYGIANT

Okay, I'll give the carburetor adjustment a try as soon as I get the appropriate style screwdriver. FYI, I didn't actually take it "apart", I just removed it from the engine to give it a good cleaning with Gumout - and that was only AFTER this problem started. And I definitely won't be using it until this is fixed - thanks.


#10

N

NYGIANT

bertsmobile1 said:
Take the cover off the fan and check for hair wrapped around the shaft .
IT gets sucked in from your cloths and builds up around the shaft.
Also check around the cylinder cause if it does not get caught on the shaft, it gets stuck between the fins and the cover .
This also causes the engine to overheat.
Click to expand...

I already checked around the fan shaft and found nothing. Not sure what you mean by "check around the cylinder" - can you explain?


#11

Boudreaux In Eunice La.

Boudreaux In Eunice La.

NY Giant........... It takes a good ear for adjusting a carb on 2 stroke engines..... Or a RPM Tach tool.....

The low side is fine for hitting the throttle for a fast and quick response........

When you have the throttle wide open adjust the H needle to the highest rpm you can hear and then back it out CCW.
until you you hear it 4 stroking .... Like a deep vibration noise..... Then turn your H clockwise to right just a lil bit till the sound changes a lil bit.....

You should be in the sweet spot right there......... If you don't have a quick rev up when you hit the trigger then play with the L side 1/8 turn......

Remember when you make the adjustments you have to let the carb get it's breath and get used to it..............

Let us know Mon Ami ~!~!


#12

N

NYGIANT

Boudreaux In Eunice La. said:
NY Giant........... It takes a good ear for adjusting a carb on 2 stroke engines..... Or a RPM Tach tool.....

The low side is fine for hitting the throttle for a fast and quick response........

When you have the throttle wide open adjust the H needle to the highest rpm you can hear and then back it out CCW.
until you you hear it 4 stroking .... Like a deep vibration noise..... Then turn your H clockwise to right just a lil bit till the sound changes a lil bit.....

You should be in the sweet spot right there......... If you don't have a quick rev up when you hit the trigger then play with the L side 1/8 turn......

Remember when you make the adjustments you have to let the carb get it's breath and get used to it..............

Let us know Mon Ami ~!~!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed response. Unfortunately, I don't have an RPM Tach tool so I'll just have to adjust it by ear. Just ordered the carburetor adjustment tool kit so I'll be waiting on that to give this a try - I'l be sure and post afterwards.
Thanks again!


#13

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

That's why I didn't post the entire carb adjustment procedure. Opening the high end a little should fix it, and it's best not to mess with the carb adjustments if you don't have to.


#14

N

NYGIANT

To all that replied, thank you for the feedback and suggestions. I wish I could say that with your help the leaf blower was up and running again but this story doesn't have a happy ending...yet. I didn't give up without a fight though but now it won't even start anymore and, at the risk of sounding philosophical, life's too short. I spend more time trying to keep these "made in China" parts running than I do actually using them - I've had enough, they win. From now on I'll be buying whatever has the longest warranty and a nearby service center. The winner for now appears to be the Hitachi RB24EAP with a 7 year warranty and a service center I can walk to. The price is right and it actually has excellent reviews everywhere. The last decent 2 stroke machine I bought was in the early 1990's from my local Price Club - which became Costco. I got nearly 10 years of flawless service with just basic maintenance on that McCulloch blower. It's been over 15 years since any 2 stroke machine lasted over 2 years for me - they usually die right after the warranty expires. I wish I could say that I neglected proper care and maintenance but that is far from the truth. I may occasionally be guilty of not using Sta-Bil ethanol treatment at all fill ups but I'll be more vigilant going forward. BTW Anybody else notice that ever since ethanol was introduced into our gas supply the 2 stroke engine seems to be going the way of the Dodo bird?
Anyway, thanks again and if anyone has any first hand experience with the Hitachi RB24EAP I would sure appreciate your opinion.
Be well all.


#15

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

The BEST handheld blower at a homeowner price point is the Husqvarna 125B. Hands down, end of discussion.

- The Hitachi has the air intake on the wrong side, as do most other handheld blowers.

- Other than the Husqvarna, the only common blower with the air intake on the other side is the Stihl handheld blower. The Husqvarna is both cheaper and more powerful, and it's just as durable.

I wore my 125B engine out with years of heavy commercial use. I repowered it with another Husqvarna 28cc engine and it's still at work. Since I have a Husqvarna backpack blower now, I am not using it much any more, but if I ever manage to wear the new engine out it will get a third one.


#16

B

bertsmobile1

NYGIANT said:
To all that replied, thank you for the feedback and suggestions. I wish I could say that with your help the leaf blower was up and running again but this story doesn't have a happy ending...yet. I didn't give up without a fight though but now it won't even start anymore and, at the risk of sounding philosophical, life's too short. I spend more time trying to keep these "made in China" parts running than I do actually using them - I've had enough, they win. From now on I'll be buying whatever has the longest warranty and a nearby service center. The winner for now appears to be the Hitachi RB24EAP with a 7 year warranty and a service center I can walk to. The price is right and it actually has excellent reviews everywhere. The last decent 2 stroke machine I bought was in the early 1990's from my local Price Club - which became Costco. I got nearly 10 years of flawless service with just basic maintenance on that McCulloch blower. It's been over 15 years since any 2 stroke machine lasted over 2 years for me - they usually die right after the warranty expires. I wish I could say that I neglected proper care and maintenance but that is far from the truth. I may occasionally be guilty of not using Sta-Bil ethanol treatment at all fill ups but I'll be more vigilant going forward. BTW Anybody else notice that ever since ethanol was introduced into our gas supply the 2 stroke engine seems to be going the way of the Dodo bird?
Anyway, thanks again and if anyone has any first hand experience with the Hitachi RB24EAP I would sure appreciate your opinion.
Be well all.
Click to expand...

It is the EPA which is killing 2 strokes.
I think you lot are up to Tier 4, we are just going into Tier 2.
In 10 years time they will all be battery powered and 10 years after that they will realize the pollution from the old batteries is 2000 times as toxic as the effects of the miniscule amount of CO2 issued from hand helds.
The stuff they are dong with cars & trucks makes sense but the stuff they are doing with hand helds is plain dumb & stupid


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