My darling wife ran a Craftsman leaf blower with straight gas - no oil mixed in. It ran about 10 minutes then stopped. The starter cord will not pull. I took it apart and can see what is stopping the cord - 2 spring loaded arms are hitting a round, grooved plastic piece in such a way that it stops (the starter piston, or some such thing).

Is the motor seized and toast? What should I do?

Obviously I'm no mechanic - so thanks for your patience with my description.

thebriggsdude

If you took the starter housing off (which those two pawls should catch that plastic peice you refered to, in order to turn the engine over) but with that off, and it still doesn't..... yes its toast... and I'm surprised it lasted 10 minutes on straight gas... these engines are basically throw aways.... worth more as scrap then to rebuild.... does it have any warranty? sears may actually fix it for you.... beleive it or not they have fixed em due to the customers mistakes.

btw, next time..... make sure its a small one gallon can, labled 2 cycle gas or mix..... and make sure she knows it (or anyone else)..... that that is just for that..... and if its empty, wait till you mix some fresh.....
2 cycles require that oil in the gas.... like a 4 cycle requires it in the crankcase or it will burn itself up.

pikeman

UUHHMMM the small one gallaon can WAS labeled! Oh well. It is less than a year old and I will try Sears. I once slammed my fly rod in the truck door and LL Bean replaced it!! It's nice when others save us from our mistakes.

Thank you.

bubbandmargie

If sears will not replace it, you may try this - it worked for me. i had bought a skid of sears returned items. In it was a blower which evidently had the same thing happen to it. It was siezed up. i took the spark plug out, sprayed a lubricant into it. (maybe PB blast) then insert a long bolt the largest that will fit into the hole and GENTLY tap the piston just enough to make it move. Then remove the bolt and turn the rotor through a few times. It may or may not work. Mine did. Sometimes the cylinder walls and rings will scar in a sieze. Sometimes they won't.

thebriggsdude

bubba is correct....... you may get it loose but being as its more then likely a single piston ring/aluminum bore and piston...... these aluminum parts scar very easy... and will cause little to no compression.....

2 cycles need atleast 90psi, and then its a bear to start.