PSA: Air filters do not last forever

[Racer X]

Ammo wrote:
My wife wants to buy a push mower. I’ve heard they don’t have carburetor problems.

I think it is fair to say most wives don't have carburetors.

[wurm]

ArtP wrote:
Hmmm, I think I have a craftsman mower.

My "GoTo" for blades, starter capsules, and etc was Sear brick and mortar stores but they are all gone now.

Where do you order a lawnmower air filter nowadays?

Lowes and Home Depot have some, and maybe your local hardware store, but the last ones I bought were from Amazon just because it was easier (and cheaper) and I could order exactly what I wanted.

[wurm]

P.S. All this carburetor talk is leaving me anxious. Every motorcycle I've owned has been old enough to be carbureted. If the time ever comes that they need to be cleaned, synched, or otherwise messed around with, that's when I'll either take it to a shop or sell the bike. Oil changes, drain and fill brake or hydraulic clutch fluid, transmission oil, sure. But adjusting idle if needed is about the closest I'll get to a carburetor. Bless you folks who deal with them on a regular basis.

[deckeda]

wurm wrote:
[quote=ArtP]
Hmmm, I think I have a craftsman mower.

My "GoTo" for blades, starter capsules, and etc was Sear brick and mortar stores but they are all gone now.

Where do you order a lawnmower air filter nowadays?

Lowes and Home Depot have some, and maybe your local hardware store, but the last ones I bought were from Amazon just because it was easier (and cheaper) and I could order exactly what I wanted.
Our town had one, small engine shop (Echo, Shindaiwa, Husky, -- right there on the town square -- but when the owner died the shop closed. Same thing 2 yrs ago with the Stihl dealer.

I start out by Googling and doing the dance of cost + shipping, factoring into the matrix what brand it is ... I don't always select the cheapest route if an independent shop is close on total cost. Amazon hides shipping costs into the product price for Prime members; I'm about done with them.

[RAMd®d]

If the time ever comes that they need to be cleaned, synched, or otherwise messed around...


The main thing with carb is keeping them from getting gummed up.

If a bike sits too long, gas loses its efficacy, turns gummy, and clogs carbs.

For those who have long down time, as in winter, etc., stabilizing the gas during hiatus is important.

Also running something like Sea Foam helps prevent gummy build up, and has rescued some bikes as well.

I'd also keep a fresh set or two of properly gapped plugs for wakeup from a long nap.

Starting with old gas can be problematic.

The bang is less and when it doesn't start, plugs can become gas fouled.

Using fresh plugs can bring the fire needed, and start the bike.

The old gas can be used to get one to the pumps and augment.

Needless to say, but I will, having the battery in good state is an imperative.


Depending on the bike, carb sync, once done, can be stable for a very long time.

At one time carbs were cable actuated individually, and as they stretched separately sync was lost.

A little out of sync isn't all that noticeable, a lot will be a problem.

Last I looked, and it's been awhile, many multiple carb setups were tied to rods which connected to one 'crossbar' which was dual cable actuated.

Carb performance was then limited to individual wear, not sync proper.

The rubber connectors mounting the carbs to the engine age, rot, crack, and ultimately leak.

Generally a DIY job, though tedious depending on the bike.

I'm not that into the zen of motorcycle maintenance anymore, so FI had been very very good to me.

It has its downsides, mainly the various sensors, but sync holds very well.

Some riders also do an oil change as part of the winterization process.

I never have since we don't really have winter or rain out my way.



Finding a trustworthy, knowledgeable shop isn't easy.