Old log splitter smokes like crazy. Do any "snake oils" work at all?
 

I have a really beat up mess of a log splitter. I'm not looking into putting any serious money into it as I only use it very infrequently and it's ugly. But it works. The problem is it smokes like mad (blue smoke). The smoke doesn't bother me, the beast could seize up and explode for all I care, but, I have neighbors. Nobody has complained yet but I'd like to reduce the amount of smoke if at all possible. I've read about Marvel Mystery oil, Restore, Wynn's Stop Smoke, Lucas 10001, and a slew of others. I've also read about people pouring Bon Ami cleanser in the spark plug hole to reseat the rings. Do any of you have any experience with anything store bought or home remedies?

So you fog for 'skeeters once in a while...no complaints... no problem...

Mebbe someone here is actually helpful :D

Well, one person does complain. My wife. She works the lever as I handle the wood.

What kind of engine are we talking about here?
A Briggs and Stratton or something like that or a bigger engine?

Switch jobs and the smoke won't bother her ;)....

Yup, a B&S 8HP. As a matter of fact it's so beat that I use a drill and socket to start it.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1590523335.jpg

What if you up the viscosity of oil a couple steps?

Probably won't do any good. But the price is right.


Another thought:
Could it be a stuck oil control ring? If so, some sort of detergent/solvent/stress loading might improve it. Italian tuneup?

I'm not hopeful of this either. Good luck!

LWJ, I'm using straight 40w the thickest i can find around here. Burns right through it.

I'd put some Marvel in it. That stuff will loosen up the oil control ring if it's stuck.

And you re-install the cover while it's running?

Marvel, kero and auto trans fluid into the spark plug hole and let it drain out through oil drain plug as it seeps past rings.

Suspect its just tired but worth a try.

can you take a length of pipe and extend the exhaust pipe past the person working the lever? like downwind of the wife?

sorry, i buy my firewood in those plastic packages. :) (i dont, i use an AXE - okay, that is an exaggeration as well)

That was my thought also. You just need a nice tall smokestack .

a 6.5 horse Harbor Freight horizontal shaft engine is $100.

He doesn't want to spend any money on it if possible.

Seafoam in the gas and crankcase would probably be a good bet too.

i think it would work.

Starless. I have an old B&G, 8 hp. engine (horizontal shaft) you can have for shipping cost. It's from a tiller. My father used to be a prison guard, & had it rebuilt in the prison shop. That was early to mid '80s. It's been stored & I've carried it around with me for decades. Never been fired up. I've never gotten around to selling it, so it can go to a good cause if you're interested. PM me if you want it.

Ah, no. The cover broke off a couple of days ago. I'm going to open a hole in the middle so I can stick the socket in and still have some protection from the blades.

and if the kero doesn't work try keto

What? STP no longer around?

I don't mind putting some money into it, just not a ton.
Marv, thanks for your offer, but as dad911 mentioned i could get an Engine for $100 or so. Shipping on your B&S would probably be more, not to mention the hassle. But I will keep it in mind, just in case.
So I guess the way to go is toss the above mentioned concoction down the spark plug hole and let it seep. I've got nothing to lose.

I don't know the size of the engine on my log splitter off the top of my head....but 8hp is huge....think mine is 5 or so. Gotta be a lot of older ones around for virtually nothing.....or...

Nicoderm patch :D

Umm, I know you don't want to get too involved in working on it but it's really easy to take the head off and scrape all the carbon off the head, side valves and piston. That's if it's like the B&S motor I played with years ago. It may go better with a bit of a clean up. Or maybe you could see down the bore to see if it's scratched up from broken rings. Just an idea - I'm no expert.

I'd suggest you look into the Mississippi "Executive Model" Log Splitter (otherwise known as "Ben Hur, Done That") as seen here. Works like a champ!


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1590552750.jpg



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1590552750.jpg

Catch em on the parking lot sake with a coupon and you can get one for $80...

Sorry in advance for the dumb question, but have you verified that the oil level is not too high?

Try this, it was developed for one lunger boat rental engines back in the 30's. Run it and then change the spark plug, that might cure it.

try 80W-90 gear oil! :D

Just remove the recoil starter housing. I did that after should replacement. Then I sold off gas powered tools. That's the smart thing.

Get an electric motor for that thing.

I have an electric splitter also, but there are some logs it just can't handle. I split all the ones the electric can handle and then i bring out TRex. I took the recoil off and put the housing back on with a hole in front so I can use a drill to start it.
It's soaking now with ATF and Marvel Mystery Oil. It's what I had on hand. Gave it a couple of turns by hand and will let it sit for a couple of days. If no better I'll try the Seafoam.

I'd just put the Marvel right in the crankcase and run it some.
Same with the Seafoam if you go that route.

It burns as much oil as gas! Well, not quite, but close.

Not sure 'bout the HP rating but ....


79cc engine - $50 (enfield)
Brand new in box
https://hartford.craigslist.org/grd/d/enfield-79cc-engine/7125562290.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1590608256.jpg

EDIT prolly 3hp, too small.

Or ...
https://hartford.craigslist.org/grd/d/tolland-6-hp-engine/7128716952.html

This one might be closer, bet you could get it fer $25 but it might need a bit more tinkering


https://nwct.craigslist.org/grd/d/torrington-7hp-engine-attached-to-scrap/7124806875.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1590609051.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1590609051.jpg

Motor is tostitos...gone.

There would have to be some combination of carburetor, hydraulic drag, engine connection to the hydraulic pump, etc. issues to blame to make me want to repair that engine.

Buy a replacement motor, spend a few minute with the hydraulics (fluids, hoses, engine/hydraulic pump interface and roll.

Good news is that log splitters hold their value better than a '72 911S.

Fix it.

Stop putting your 40:1 chainsaw gas in it, it's a 4 stroke !

Yes, and they were all a waste of money. If you really use it infrequently and having it function on demand isn't that important, run the exhaust into a bucket of cold water to condense out the oil and keep jammin' the wood to it until it throws a rod.

Plus he can pipe the exhaust into gopher holes and have an excellent killer of gophers. Might even get rich by starting a business of eliminating gophers.

or maybe the gophers will like the oil, and use it as ....