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Seized piston ring -- leaf blower -- cure?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by cyberpriusII, Apr 13, 2017.

  1. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Thought I would ask....

    Two-cycle engine, the diagnosis from a neighbor is a seized piston ring -- carbon.

    He said to flood the cylinder with PB Blaster through the spark plug hole, wait a day, repeat, and see what happens.

    Good idea, bad idea....at this point the blower is worthless...
     
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Perhaps time to look at electric leaf blowers?

    Put a 12V to 120 VAC inverter, 1.5kW, in the Prius; READY the car, and; blow your cares away.

    I have only rebuilt one engine with seized rings. Interesting but once is enough. If the liquid bath works, OK, but having a Prius backup for the generator and using it as a portable, 1kW (9-10A) circuit makes a lot of sense.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Apr 13, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2017
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    since we've already detoured, the ryobi rechargeables are fabulous.:cool:
     
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  4. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    If the blower is useless, you have nothing to lose by trying to repair, however.

    What type of gas were you using?

    if it was corn gas, that's probably your problem. Small engines don't play well with ethanol.

    I have both, electric and gas, and use the gas 90%. After 3 years and over 5 gal of fuel run through it, no issues.
     
    #4 bat4255, Apr 13, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2017
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  5. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    If the piston ring is seized to the cylinder wall it has likely damaged the cylinder. Most of the time a 2 stroke seizes to the cylinder is detonation (too lean). Ethanol gas may cause that condition. When I used to race 2 strokes a seized piston usually required a new piston, ring and at least a cylinder hone.

    Serious racers always carry a spare engine, spare cylinder, spare pistons and rings. And beer.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have everything but the engine, cylinder, pistons and rings.
     
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  7. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    That's the major qualification to be a "race fan." Welcome to the racing club.
     
  8. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Hammer and emery cloth, worked on a 72 Polaris
     
  9. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Wasn't that a new clear sub?
     
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd second an electric leaf blower. Even if you do need a gas one for far-ranging uses. Around the garage or in our yard, I love this corded Black-and-Decker blower. Maybe not as powerful, but not bad. Good for dusting out the garage, whatever.
     
  11. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    I would have absolutely no use for a electric blower. Most of my efforts take place about a quarter of a mile from an outlet. That area takes about 90 minutes of work twice a week in the fall season and involves heavy, wet materials that I doubt a rechargeable unit could handle.

    The rest of them on the roofs of the house, barn and shed. I am scared enough just being on those steep pitched things, don't want to worry about getting tangled in a cord.

    Only use non-ethanol 92 octane gasoline. Only use Stihl two-cycle oil at the correct 50-1 mix.

    I have a spare carburetor lying around (new), I may try that first, just in case my neighbor is wacky, but the one on the machine is crystal clean looking from what I can see.
     
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  12. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I've heard that Seafoam soaking can help, but I kinda like your neighbor's idea as well (had to look up PB Blaster.)
    The good news is that you don't have much to lose.
    You might be able to find a used blower with a gummy carb and a lazy owner....

    -1 (minus one) on the electric leaf blowers for anybody who owns more than 5 acres, and I say this as the owner of an electric leaf blower.


    (Regarding Polaris)
    No.....
    It was the cargo on a new clear sub.....
     
  13. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Quoting ETC (SS)

    (Regarding Polaris)
    No.....
    It was the cargo on a new clear sub.....[/QUOTE]

    True, but ours we classified by that name. Didn't want to be obvious, so think I've confused more than I've amused with my deliberate obscurity. Anyhow, congrats to you and bisco for spotting my play on words. (y)
     
    #13 RCO, Apr 14, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2017
  14. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Seafoam in the gas was a repair I heard for seized rings in the early Saturns. Based on what the Seafoam MSDS, diesel could work, but biodiesel is a better cleaner, thus the reason it clogs up fuel filters on older cars.

    Most Saturn owners didn't bother trying to fix the problem, and just lived with the oil burning.

    How would ethanol lead to carbon build up?
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What's the pitch? We've got mostly 3~4 in 12 and I'm "ok" with those. But we've got one 7~8 in 12, that I just can't get on. Well, once in a while, with a rope, but I'm stressing. I've watched contractors scamper around on the latter, better them than me.
     
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  16. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    The same way vaccinations lead to Autism.....
     
  17. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Apologies.....
    Like many Yanks, I'm always forgetting that others play in that sandbox as well......and quite brilliantly, I might add.
     
    #17 ETC(SS), Apr 14, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2017
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  18. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    I found ethanol plugs up the carburetor in both, 2 cycle and 4 cycle, especially older engines up to 20 hp. +. Over the years I have received (for free) chainsaws, weed eaters, leaf blowers, etc. I have saved a lot of money on other peoples mistakes, and have a nice collection.

    I keep 7 gal. (1-5 and 1-2) of 92 oct ethanol free with fuel stabilizer in gas in the garage for all my equipment (Gator, lawnmower, log splitter, rototiller, chainsaws, etc.) and have yet to have a carburetor / engine issue, and some equipment is 20 years old.
     
    #18 bat4255, Apr 14, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2017
  19. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Sometimes a block of wood was needed too
     
  20. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    So I.....ah.....'heard.'
     
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