BR400 ... did I kill it?

[CSRA Landscaping]

Yeah, I know, you're gonna say this was dumb. And I agree. Had a plug foul out on the BR400 and didn't have a spare for it on hand. So, rather than cannibalize another piece of equipment for it, I stuck in a reular spark plug, the kind I use on the mower. DUH!! I noticed today that it was growling. So, I check the plug and it was loose! Figured out real quick that was because the engine had knocked it back out, seeing as how I couldn't get it to crank with it tightened all the way down. I noticed then that the plug was shot, gap bent, ceramic busted, etc. So, I tossed it and took the plug out of my push-blower, which fit great. Only, now it -really- growls and seems to knock/ping some. Not to mention that now it has about as much power as a Poulan hand-held blower/vac, on a good day. So, what can I do? I would rather fix it than just buy a new one. Thanks guys, blow me away!

[MOW ED]

Sounds like bad has happened. Possibilities are metal still inside, scored walls, dented piston, other bad occurances involving spending money to repair/replace. I'm not gonna beat you up on this one, we all do things we wish we hadn't.

[Cleve]

I have over 30 different pieces of equipment and it seems like each has its own special spark plug. I learned a long time ago to carry a small toolbox with a list inside of each engine and the plug it requires. Some of these plugs (like the NGK-BPR4HS-10 for the Kubota gas engine) have to be ordered by the dealer because of some sort of special gap it requires.

Anyway, I'm sorry about your problem. I suggest you take the head off the engine and at least look at the piston. May be cracked. Or at least sounds as if that has happened.
Please post your results.
Cleve.

[Paradise Yard Service]

Well at least yours starts!
I stopped at the local 7-11 B-4 work for some java and had an LCO there (the new guy) with all new stuff. Trying like crazy to start the brand new BR400 and just couldn't. Well I'm a Shin man through and through but I recall the posts on Lawnsite bout keeping the BR at full throtttle on startup. I mention this to the LCO and he said its all the wayy up. So da bugga was flooded! I asked if he had a plug wrench and he said no. I pull mine out go to rectify the prob but he said no its new machine don't touch, so I backed off and gave him my best wishes. When I left he was using the new Makita hand held as the tool of choice and I went to my first account,pull out the ol BP-45 Shin and she starts on first pull (mines 7 years old!).
I refuse to get carple tunnel trying to start a machine that should only take two pulls!
And so much for trying to help a fellow LCO. Although I admit I was probably too close for comfort to the guys ego!

[MikeLT1Z28]

65hoss has a method of starting his br400 when it's flooded, i'll let him share it. and it works every time.

[geogunn]

Originally posted by Paradise Yard Service
I asked if he had a plug wrench and he said no.

hey paradise--if you guys knew so much about the BR-400, you shoudda used the plug wrench that is stored under the bottom. I'll bet I could flood your shindawa not knowing anything about it the first time I tried to start it.;)

by the way, there's a torx head driver on the end of the plug wrench and a small screw driver under the bottom also. really convenient if you ever eventually need them.

GEO

[65hoss]

Occasionally anything will flood. Its real easy to fix the problem. Pull the air filter off and cover the carb opening. Starts everytime. On the BR400, I use my palm and cover it just long enough to pull the cord. If you ever have a mower that floods, pull the filter off and stick a rag in the carb and pull. As soon as it starts remove the rag.

[Paradise Yard Service]

Sorry boys I've never flooded my Shins. Been around since 1985 and can't recall flooding as a problem. Now water in the gas, dirty filters (air & gas), no spark yadda yadda yadda, thats been my experience on very rare occasions. But carpal tunnel from trying to start a blower, never!

BTW I did tell the guy at 7-11 that the br 400 was a nice machine.

I would'nt buy one however. Just my--whatevah.

Aloha,
P.Y.S.

[lawnman_scott]

Back to the original question, try to get the plug that should be in it. I cant see it being a cracked piston, and still running being a 1 cylinder engine. I could be wrong, but seems that it wouldnt evan start then.

[geogunn]

Originally posted by Paradise Yard Service
But carpal tunnel from trying to start a blower, never!

sorry island guy--I just got to argue with you. I know a little something about carpal tunnel syndrome...and you don't get it from yanking on a starter rope.

in fact you are closer to getting carpal tunnel from keyboarding these posts than you would if you yanked a BR-400 starter rope all day with the kill switch on off.

just so you know.

GEO

[Eric ELM]

What you described is a way to choke it completely. You do that if your not getting enough gas to it.

If it is flooded, I would take out the plug and blow off the extra gas and take a long small twig and dip the end in gas and light it and stick it down in the plug hole to burn out the extra gas. Be careful doing this so you don't get burned. A match is to short for this. After doing this, it should start right up.

[dan deutekom]

65hoss is choking tthe engine completely. If an engine is flooded you can smell gas in the exhast pipe. I usually pull the plug and check if it is wet. If it is I dry it with a match or a propane torch. Like to stick the torch in the plug hole to burn out the raw gas. (watch out for a flash back!} Check for a spark from ignition and put it all back together. Always solves the problem.

[CSRA Landscaping]

Well, it's fixed and it runs like brand-new. No cracked piston, a little ceramic was in the top of the cylinder so I got that out, and some carbon. Here's what the main problem was: the spark-arresting screen on the exhaust was covered in carbon. It couldn't really breathe out. Yes, it was flooded too, got that taken care of easily. Thanks for the posts, guys.

[WLC]

Save a perfectly good blower by installing the correct plug next time. Not only are the physical lengths of spark plugs different, but there are different heat ranges inclusive in those majic little numbers on the side of the ceramic. Only because the piston doesn't slam the electrode causing it to short............ Did you say the ceramic was broken? WOW!

Glad to hear she's running now.

[Paradise Yard Service]

Your right Geo!
What I should have said in all the hoopla was Tennis Elbow. Or I think epilcondilitis. Anyway, I meant no offense to anyone and glad to see the equipment is back out in service. I just hate to see a fellow LCO in the situation the poor guy was in the other day. Offering help was kinda knee jerk reaction when I guess I should have just gave him lots of elbow room. No pun intented!

Aloha,
P.Y.S.

[geogunn]

PYS--personally I worry about the old rotator cups while yanking on all those ropes! now that hurts!;)

GEO

[HOMER]

I worry that I might break a nail! :D

Never thought about lighting the hole up Eric!

I'm gonna find that spark arrestor though and ship it back to Stihl.

[1stclasslawns]

Wheeelll, persionally I dont like the fire in the hole thing being a firefighteer and all. I just give the rope a couple of good pulls, with the throttle and choke and ingnition all off, dry off the plug. never fails.

Jim