echo back pack blower

[snapper]

A guy I know is giving two old pb-400 blowers. If there isn't too much wrong on them, Is it usually cost effective to fix them? (In other words, would I be better off buying a new one or fixing this one.) And what would be a ballark guess on cost to rebuild one of these? Is it something I could do? When I get these I am hoping it is simple stuff since he isn't much of a mechanic. He can't remember why he quit using them, but i am guessing something simple like a muffler or similar. I don't think he used them enough to wear them out. I will give more information when I get these. Thanks for the help, Snapper

[Bob Minney]

If they are free why not take a shot at fixing them. Most 2 stroke problems are, fuel, carbon, carb.-easy stuff & cheap to fix---
If its more than that decide if your time and parts $ are worth it.
If nothing else I'd take them to mess with in off season

[snapper]

Okay, he gave me three of them. On of them is defineately a parts blower; One of them I got to run, but has a loud clank/knock , it seems to have full power; and one I haven't tried yet. I will post what I find about the knock. Any guesses to the cause of the knock? Thanks, snapper

[snapper]

Well I figured out the knock. The knock was dirt or some thing in the fan houseing. I cleaned out the chamber and put it back together, no more knock. This isn't the most powerful blower, but defineately a step up over my old one. If anybody has any tips or tricks to using a bp blower, I need them. Thank you Snapper

[vipermanz]

so how many are running??

[snapper]

Right now only one is running. The other two, one is missing pull rope, carb, spark plug wire,etc.., The other one I can't get fire out of the plug, so if I can get it to fire, it might start. Some day i will work on it and see. Now, for a new question. When this blower wears out internally(which i'm guessing will be a while), what is involved in rebuilding it? It is difficult or require special tools? Can you buy some kind of short block? And what kind of a price am I looking at for parts?(in other words, does it cost less to rebuild or buy a new one) Thanks again, Snapper

[Bob Minney]

Rebuilding these engines is simple. Parts are not that $, so your labor is the big thing.

for parts prices check this site- they are a little slow so dont be in a hurry to get things but they have a great search site.

www.rcpw.com

[vipermanz]

by not getting "fire" are you not getting a spark?, probably electrical if so , check all your switches

[snapper]

what it is on this blower, there is an internal thing inside that makes the voltage, a single wire runs out. Then you have the spark wire with a thing on the bottom where the one wire goes. I think this might be bad. When I get around to working on it I can pull the one off the working blower and see if the other blower will fire. If it does I just need one of those, if not it's the internal thing. But right now I got one running and thats all i need. Even if I get spark, I don't know what kind of shape the seals, rings, carb,etc.. are in so it might run or it might not. New question, typically when rebuilding a 2 cycle what parts do you replace? Is a short block neccessary, or can you just do seals and rings and such? I have never rebuilt one so I was just wondering. Thanks again, snapper.. forget to mention, They are pb-400E. I dont know what difference the E makes but it does.

[vipermanz]

you must be taliking about the ignition coil

[snapper]

Go to this site:http://www.echo-usa.com/oot/docs/pb400et1e2e_040197.pdf

Page 4 Item 6 coil,ignition
If that is not the problem it is item three C.D. IGNITION MODULE.

But as of right now I am in no hurry to fix it. Maybe this winter I will want to fix. If you really want to to help you could try to answer some of the questions in my last post about what to replace when it starts wearing out.. Thank you Snapper

[vipermanz]

rebuilding just the rings, cylinder, rods& seals is ok if the cylinder was operating before, if it was locked i would replace the block too, might be badly scores and scratched:)

[vipermanz]

Snapper,, Can You email me??, i need to ask you a question!! Vipermanz85@aol.com Theviper1985@cs.com
Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Robert Doubrava]

You'll need a couple of tools required to do the job of rebuilding. Valve spring compressor, cylinder hone, gasket scraper, other miscellanious tools I can't remember. I haven't done an overhaul in a while,:o just carburetor work and things that don't require the engine torn apart. I'm getting an old B&S from a friend of my Dad's to work on though. Good luck with yur blowers!:)

[snapper]

The bearing on the fan side must be shot because I can see where it is rubbing. I can get to the bearing in the motor easily. I have already had the fan case apart 2 or 3 times before I found the problem. There are bearings at both ends. Do I need to replace both, or can I get away with only replacing one? I know I will need the two gaskets for the two parts of the engine. Should I replace anything else even though it is running fine? And also how do you get the bearing out? Is it pressed in or what? Thanks for the help, snapper