| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| B112 |
Posted - 06/04/2010 : 23:02:04
So tonight I dissembled my Craftsmen two-cycle trimer. My own fault I'd guess as I've learned to not be wild with these. The problem I've discovered was the piston got jambed in the cyclinder. So I disassembled the machine (pictures of the mess tomorrow) and dislodged the piston with some tapping and persasion. I then was able to turn the machine and reassemble it. I only had one piece left over! A small piece of rubber that I have no idea where it went, hope it's not the cause of my assembly dilema. So it's all assembled now. But it don't want to start!
Oh, I did discover why the kill switch stopped working and I had to flood the engine to turn the machine off. The wire broke and the shut off is a ground design, so the machine kept working even if the kill switch died. Anyway, it's too late to get really busy on it and see if I can get it started. But I thought I'd share with you what two hours got me... Nothing.
Though I will say this was the easiest disassembly and reassembly I've seen. Everything fits together well. So hopefully it starts tomorrow. Otherwise I smash it on the ground and hear Biggie laughing how he doesn't like two-cycles!
Till tomorrow! |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| skunkhome |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 07:46:30
quote:
Originally posted by B112
The Timmer sagga continues! I went to Wallingford,CT to find a $37 trimmer was gone, then I went to Burlington NJ to find the $48 trimmer wasn't refurbished (but it was there). So I complained that I drove to two Sears to waste my time getting nothing or a beat up trimmer. So they sold me a Trimmer (exactly like mine at home) for half price ($24 plus tax) with a two year warrentee... so we'll have to see if they can fix that trimmer. Only problem is the new trimmer is in worse shape than mine! Rusty parts and one broken piece.
Michael you are a glutton for punishment. |
| B112 |
Posted - 06/21/2010 : 21:03:26
The Timmer sagga continues! I went to Wallingford,CT to find a $37 trimmer was gone, then I went to Burlington NJ to find the $48 trimmer wasn't refurbished (but it was there). So I complained that I drove to two Sears to waste my time getting nothing or a beat up trimmer. So they sold me a Trimmer (exactly like mine at home) for half price ($24 plus tax) with a two year warrentee... so we'll have to see if they can fix that trimmer. Only problem is the new trimmer is in worse shape than mine! Rusty parts and one broken piece. |
| B112 |
Posted - 06/13/2010 : 08:08:49
Yeah, I'm shopping the craftsman outlet stores and if I'm willing to travel I can get an exact replacement for like $70. I like knowing how these work, as I'd rather not do an indian whoop smarts dance on them. I too hated two cycle stuff, just trying to get better at dealing with them! Thanks! |
| Denny |
Posted - 06/13/2010 : 06:31:14
I consider all two cycle equipment,, throw away items.once they quit,,, trash can !! Ain't worth the headaches. |
| Richard L. |
Posted - 06/13/2010 : 02:32:01
The cylinder, piston and rings can be replaced and it looks like you've already gone into this enough to know what you're into if you do. I went back and re-read your post and it appears the piston siezed on you and that you had to pry it to get it operating again. It's very likely you've now got a piston that's scored the cylinder and that isn't easy to repair without taking it completely apart and seeing what's happening. You can get some muriatic acid and get the aluminum transfer from a hot piston off the cylinder and try just putting a new piston and ring in it if the jug can be cleaned up enough. Like you said, new is best, but they can be repaired if you can get parts. |
| B112 |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 22:23:58
Note: I will mention that it looks like Craftsman has improved their design of their trimmers and no longer has the kill switch wired inside the shaft. Mine was in the shaft and it overtime stopped working then after disassembly I found the wire broken inside from a wear point. They now run the shutoff wire outside of the unit a few inches to prevent that problem.
I found this link which explains compression. Given the fact that I got the piston so stuck that I had to pry it free, I'm really thinking the problem is compression. Not sure how I'd correct that.
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=270789
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| B112 |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 22:12:09
Phil, you got me thinking of more diagnosis, except after 4 hours, with the number of projects I've got, I'm thinking new and store is the way to go. Though I will do a little more testing...
http://science.howstuffworks.com/two-stroke2.htm
http://www.oldengineshed.com/twocycthry.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stroke_engine
http://www.athleticfieldmarker.com/2Cycle.html
http://www.tpub.com/content/engine/14037/css/14037_94.htm
https://www.smallenginesuppliers.com/html/engine-specs/tecumseh/Tecumseh_HSK-HXL_TVS-TVXL_Engines_Service_Information.pdf
http://www.ehow.com/how_6453794_fix-craftman-weed-wacker.html
Funny thing is I can find two hours at a clip but never can get the 8 to 10 hours I need to get a broken tractor back on line.
(P.S. Biggie, close your eyes... I know this hurts... as I am singing the two cycle blues.) |
| skunkhome |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 21:55:46
If you have a leak through or around the Reed valves you will not have primary compression and no fuel/air charge and poor secondary compression in the combustion chamber. I'd bet there is a leak somewhere between the bottom side of the piston and the carb. |
| B112 |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 21:18:33
I think for now, I am going to store this crapsman trimmer for parts/hopefully find one which I can swap parts for. It's fairly new, so yes as you said strange it just died. I am getting spark, it does have some compression, it feels about the same as it use to. The only thing which happened was that I was lazy and used it to trim some branches on a bush (what I called wild). I've done it before without a problem and mostly would use the right tool, I just didn't want to setup for the task and tried to be fast about clearing a little off a bush. So I learned as it will cost me at least $100 or more. For now, I've got two sessions of two hours on it and I did learn how easy it is to open up and clean or maintain. Will test it some more but not put more time in the assembly as it's back together with all the parts in the right spots. |
| Richard L. |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 19:23:12
But I thought it ran fine before you hit something that stopped it short? If it is 60 lbs. now it couldn't have been much more than that before it quit for good and that's very odd. Maybe a broken ring? That thing I told you about the jug being loose is very common in these 2 cycles and could be why you only have 60 lbs. now because the pressure is escaping out the bottom. Maybe when it stopped short it was enough to move the jug enough to really open up a gap. Usually to tighten up those jug screws you need a long T-handle allen wrench to reach the screws and that can be a problem if you don't have any handy. I didn't elaborate about the compression tester for these 2 cycles enough before but what you really need to test them right is a good gauge with a fixed attachment that screws into the spark plug hole so it's hands free yanking while you're testing it. Also, those Schrader valves like you have in a tire are what you need and they can become ineffective if carbon gets into them. I bought a Snap-On set a long time ago and the dealer gave me about 50 Schrader valves to change out in it when the gauge started acting up. Believe me they get messed up. You can't test a 2 cycle with a push in style gauge either they're just no good for this application. Ahh, heck with it, use it as a boomerang. haha |
| B112 |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 17:06:42
Well I just read the compression on trimmer... Bummer it's 60 lbs. Well my other project was to go and fix my compressor, that's done. My check valve was dirty. The symptom was that my two stage compressor would leak air out the pressure switch safety valve when you turned off the compressor and when you tried turn it back on the engine would not be able to over come the pressure in the system. I'd drain the system of air and it would work fine. Anyway, at least one success today or two if you figure I'm going to give up on the two cycle. |
| Richard L. |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 14:47:48
I was just thinking about this the other day after I started working on a Craftsman 2.3 chainsaw built by Poulin in the mid 80's. I couldn't get that thing to run for anything then started looking things over and noticed the cylinder only had 2 allen head screws holding it on. I fiddled with that a little and noticed the jug was moving and you could easily see the gasket that bolts the jug to the block was moving too. I tightened the 2 allen screws up and jeez, ya know, now it starts right up and I can even get the high and low settings on the carb adjusted now. Check your compression with a good compression tester with a schrader valve in it and see if you've got a compression over about 120 lbs.. Any less and it's about useless to even fiddle with them. Also just take your spark plug out and try looking down at the cylinder walls with a flashlight and see if there's any scoring. |
| B112 |
Posted - 06/12/2010 : 14:22:05
Ok, it's rainy day and I felt like fiddlin. So I took another crack at the trimmer. This time I took it all apart and inspected everything. I think the piston is getting enough compression, but that's a guess. Who ever guessed the rubber piece was for the gas tank, they're right. The flywheel is 100% intact, so it's not that. So it's all back together and still not starting. Using raw gas, starter fluid, many pulls, etc. So trimmer two me nothing. I'm about to do a indian war dance on this thing or take a can of whoop smarts on it (change the word smarts to something more modern). So off to another one... that's another project. |
| ByronC |
Posted - 06/06/2010 : 12:15:10
Well fella's... Since I moved back to KY from Tampa, (2003)... I have only RedMax weed eater and backpack blower. As long as RedMax is in business, I won't throw my money away on another, Craftsman, Troybuilt, Homelite, Green Machine, or anyother POS.
Yes, the RedMax Cost an arm and a leg but geeeeee, they are awesome! |
| B-16_IC |
Posted - 06/06/2010 : 10:32:45
quote:
Originally posted by olcowhand
quote:
Originally posted by olcowhand
Yep, had to replace the fuel lines last week in my 4 stroke. Why can't they make lines resistant to the ethanol!!
Fine question Daniel! I have found hose for cars and garden tractors that has given me no grief so far, but I don't think there is anything but the clear stuff for the wee ones. |
