Using ancient tiller- would like it to stop churning out asphyxiating smoke

[Comdrpopnfresh]

This toro is old. It starts great and runs smoothly, but the thing burns oil like a champ and is just billowing out smoke. Smoke comes out the main exhaust (bluish white) and really oil-rich fumes come out that opening in the carb where modern small engines have a loopback to the intake; the opening is half-moon shaped and I vaguely think it's like a blowoff of uncombustables/post-combustion oil leaked in/contents overpressuring the capacity head-pressure. The droplets of vaporized oil coming out the opening are enough that a buildup forms while in use, and the coated portions on the ext of the enginer block and crankcasing join in on producing more smoke.

if anyone with related experience could spoil the ending, and tell me if this tiller is shot/not, and if I can stop it from smoking, it would be appreciated- it seems quite unhealthy for use as-is and an alternative will be sought as near-last resort

 

[hdfxst]

either re-ring the engine or get something like this http://www.harborfreight.com/engine...as-engine-certified-for-california-68121.html I would just throw a set of rings in it and run it for another 20 years

 

[Howard]

PM Eli - he's good with small engines IIRC

either re-ring the engine or get something like this http://www.harborfreight.com/engine...-engine-certified-for-california-68121.html.I would just throw a set of rings in it and run it for another 20 years

Damn, a 1-cyl? That's going to be smooth.

 

[LTC8K6]

PM Eli - he's good with small engines IIRC


Damn, a 1-cyl? That's going to be smooth.

Why wouldn't it be smooth?

 

[hdfxst]

That old toro probably has a 6 horse briggs or techumseh on it,and that motor's tired

 

[Howard]

Why wouldn't it be smooth?

Well, it could be, but you'd have to have a balanced assembly as well as a relatively heavy flywheel. You only get the one power stroke per 720* degrees instead of 720/x (where x is the number of cylinders).

*720 for 4-stroke

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, it could be, but you'd have to have a balanced assembly as well as a relatively heavy flywheel. You only get the one power stroke per 720* degrees instead of 720/x (where x is the number of cylinders).

*720 for 4-stroke

Well, there must be millions of them running smoothly as we type. They are very common. I don't recall one that didn't run smoothly unless there was something wrong with it.

Now, I don't know about that Chinese one... :biggrin:

 

[hdfxst]

smooth and tiller don't go together

 

[LTC8K6]

smooth and tiller don't go together

Yeah, who would notice?

 

[Lemon law]

smooth and tiller don't go together

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I might argue that you may be somewhat situation ally wrong. What you say is true for every front tine tiller on the planet, but a well designed rear tine tiller can be operated with one finger. I have a 40 year old troy built, with a rebuilt 6 HP Techumseh. It burns no oil, and on the second pass, I usually run it at only partial power for extra nice results. The secret is all in the gear down power.

But in terms of our OP's toro, it sounds like the problems don't only pertain to the rings. It may be cheaper to buy a new whole new motor or find it on the the used market. Bad initial design can't be cured by a few new parts.

 

[herm0016]

you should be able rebuild that engine in an afternoon. call a local small engine repair shop and they should be able to get you a rebuild kit with new bearings and rings and such for under $100.00.

 

[Eli]

This might be a stupid question, but have you checked the oil?

Oil shouldn't be spattering out of the breather like that. It sounds like the crankcase is WAY overfilled. Either that or the breather is defective.

If neither, then the rings are severely worn. For a quick fix that may or may not work very well, run to an auto parts store and get something called Motor Oil Honey or equivalent. The stuff is thicker than molasses in an Alaskan winter, and will help the rings seal.

Make and model of engine?

PM Eli - he's good with small engines IIRC


Damn, a 1-cyl? That's going to be smooth.

Almost all small engines are 1 cylinder engines..

They operate smooth enough. Horizontal shaft models have a heavy flywheel. Vertical shaft models meant for lawnmowers have a light flywheel which is made up for by the heavy blade.