Is this a stupid idea? [modified]
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We were given an old 2 stroke lawn mower with a broken pull start. It just so happens that in my socket set is a socket that fits the nut at the end of the crank. I got out the drill, attached the socket and gingerly turned the motor over slowly with the drill. Its got compression so I cleaned the air filter & plug, set the gap & checked the fuel lines.Should I give her a bit with the drill and see if it'll start or is it likely the engine will throw the drill into my face, shin or other body part? The conclution is a bit boring as I managed to repair the starter mechanism
modified on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:20 PM
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Michael Martin wrote:
if you provide the beer
Cheap bastard. And who's going to stay sober to drive me to hospital?
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I hear ya. I justified buying a welder so I could repair a crack on the deck of my mower. Burning metal - now that is way cool! I can't understand how the starter recoil spring went under anything that needs a gasket. I've torn apart my share of mowers (and starters), and the starting mechanism is always bolted on externally. Regarding the payoff being $30/hour. If I'm lounging watching the telli, my cost ain't $30/hour. So if do it myself, I save $30/hour, not loose $60/hour. I wouldn't be working anyhow during that time. Good luck. Send pictures. We'll send flowers to cheer you up.
Gary
ghle wrote:
I can't understand how the starter recoil spring went under anything that needs a gasket. I've torn apart my share of mowers (and starters), and the starting mechanism is always bolted on externally.
I unbolted it last night and sure enough the starter mechanism is also the end plate of the crank case. Disconnected the cord, wound the starter up a few more turns to give the spring some more pressure, reconnected the cord and it works a charm. Just need some gasket cement to reassemble.
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It's an exceedingly *bad* idea. If you're handy enough to clean and gap the plug, then you're handy enough to fix the rope start, it is not a complex mechanism. I recently learned through experience that it is worth the $7 or so to get proper recoil cord instead of substituting whatever you may have on hand; the stuff is readily available from the big box home improvement stores in the U.S. (Lowes, etc.) The engine will probably fire and quite possibly run, if everything is set up properly. That puts you in a position with your hands near the turning blade with potentially as much as ~6hp driving it. It is not a safe idea. Don't try running it without the blade, either. The blade provides the mass the engine uses as a flywheel, and all sorts of unpredictable stuff will happen if the engine starts to run without it. Chances are very good that if the engine has compression and the crankshaft is not bent then you will be able to make a working proposition out of it with minimal expense. Do things safely and correctly and you'll have your health so you can enjoy mowing the lawn! :-) --Geoff
Geoff Gariepy wrote:
It's an exceedingly *bad* idea. If you're handy enough to clean and gap the plug, then you're handy enough to fix the rope start, it is not a complex mechanism. I recently learned through experience that it is worth the $7 or so to get proper recoil cord instead of substituting whatever you may have on hand; the stuff is readily available from the big box home improvement stores in the U.S. (Lowes, etc.) The engine will probably fire and quite possibly run, if everything is set up properly. That puts you in a position with your hands near the turning blade with potentially as much as ~6hp driving it. It is not a safe idea. Don't try running it without the blade, either. The blade provides the mass the engine uses as a flywheel, and all sorts of unpredictable stuff will happen if the engine starts to run without it. Chances are very good that if the engine has compression and the crankshaft is not bent then you will be able to make a working proposition out of it with minimal expense. Do things safely and correctly and you'll have your health so you can enjoy mowing the lawn! [Smile]
I unbolted it last night and sure enough the starter mechanism is also the end plate of the crank case. Disconnected the cord, wound the starter up a few more turns to give the spring some more pressure, reconnected the cord and it works a charm. Just need some gasket cement to reassemble.
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We were given an old 2 stroke lawn mower with a broken pull start. It just so happens that in my socket set is a socket that fits the nut at the end of the crank. I got out the drill, attached the socket and gingerly turned the motor over slowly with the drill. Its got compression so I cleaned the air filter & plug, set the gap & checked the fuel lines.Should I give her a bit with the drill and see if it'll start or is it likely the engine will throw the drill into my face, shin or other body part? The conclution is a bit boring as I managed to repair the starter mechanism
modified on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:20 PM
Josh Gray wrote:
is it likely the engine will throw the drill into my face, shin or other body part?
Apparently not: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bvklmS3ByY[^] :zzz: Maybe you need to pep it up a bit first ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAGz4i2_Iuk[^] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omO_NlizEPU&feature=related[^]
T-Mac-Oz
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We were given an old 2 stroke lawn mower with a broken pull start. It just so happens that in my socket set is a socket that fits the nut at the end of the crank. I got out the drill, attached the socket and gingerly turned the motor over slowly with the drill. Its got compression so I cleaned the air filter & plug, set the gap & checked the fuel lines.Should I give her a bit with the drill and see if it'll start or is it likely the engine will throw the drill into my face, shin or other body part? The conclution is a bit boring as I managed to repair the starter mechanism
modified on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:20 PM
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ghle wrote:
I can't understand how the starter recoil spring went under anything that needs a gasket. I've torn apart my share of mowers (and starters), and the starting mechanism is always bolted on externally.
I unbolted it last night and sure enough the starter mechanism is also the end plate of the crank case. Disconnected the cord, wound the starter up a few more turns to give the spring some more pressure, reconnected the cord and it works a charm. Just need some gasket cement to reassemble.
Josh Gray wrote:
wound the starter up a few more turns to give the spring some more pressure
Sounds like you got it. Those extra wraps are important to tension the spring. Otherwise the starter rope will hang out a few inches after the thing fires up - which I'm sure it will (fire up, that is). BTW - concerning the drill idea. A battery powered drill maybe, but not a corded drill. I have a DeWalt that absolutely cannot be bound up. It will wrap the cord around your arm, making releasing the trigger all but impossible. You end up with damaged body parts that hurt for days. :((
Gary
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Michael Martin wrote:
if you provide the beer
Cheap bastard. And who's going to stay sober to drive me to hospital?
Josh Gray wrote:
Cheap bastard. And who's going to stay sober to drive me to hospital?
Not fucking me, I'm getting pissed and watching.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Josh Gray wrote:
is it likely the engine will throw the drill into my face, shin or other body part?
Apparently not: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bvklmS3ByY[^] :zzz: Maybe you need to pep it up a bit first ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAGz4i2_Iuk[^] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omO_NlizEPU&feature=related[^]
T-Mac-Oz
Wow. I am suitably impressed that YouTube has a video of it ready to answer the question.
regards, Paul Watson Ireland & South Africa
Fernando A. Gomez F. wrote:
At least he achieved immortality for a few years.
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Shoule we start a pool on which body part gets the socket? My money's on groin. It's always the groin.
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Agree, and when you're done there, try hitting a fully inflated basketball with a baseball bat....it has the potential for winning an oscar!! :laugh:
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I did that once. Not with a baseball bat either. I was brilliant enough to do it with an axe. Sadly, I have to admit I was not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. Just stupid.