Shade tree mechanic! Whatcha workin on.

caveman · June 15, 2025, 06:59:05 AM

Not nearly as exciting as aircraft, but yesterday was the day to change the water pump impeller in the Honda 225. It was pumping water fine, but it has been a few years since it has been replaced, and I had one in a box. A week or so ago I replaced the 02 sensor that was causing an alarm to sound after extended idling. I thought I was going to need a helper to get the lower unit back on the motor, but about the time I was going to wait for a helper, it slipped into place.

A friend gave me this little 25 hp Evinrude about a year ago. I wanted to ensure it will run before putting together a little skiff to mount it on. Yesterday was the first time I even had the cowling off of this motor. A critter made a nest, and the engine was really dirty. While trying to start it, evidently the carburetor float stuck, and fuel was pumping out of the carb which is right by the starter that I was jumping with a hot wire. Poof, a little fire started. I grabbed the hose off of the lower unit and doused the motor. I don't think anything important got scorched. The good news is that the motor turns over, seems to have good compression and even tried to start. It'll get a carb kit, water pump and I'll try to find a tiller handle for it since I don't want a wheel and console on the little boat it will end up on.

One more thing. I've started carrying a piece of 6x6 with an angle cut on it in my truck. I've used it twice in the past couple of weeks to quickly change trailer tires.

doc henderson · June 15, 2025, 07:57:05 AM

I had some issues with the mill last week. My fuel tank is stationary, and the saw head moves up and down with a length of fuel line in the power chain. there is an electric pump to prime the impulse fuel pump on the valve cover. had a spare that took a minute to find, since I have the shop in a mess from the sheet rocking and moving of many things that have been in the same spot the prev. 15 years.

Also got a battery in for the Harley I bought after my uncle Steve died. he had asked my brother and I to help her sell it as she would have no idea. It has sat covered in the shop all these years, blocked inn by my other junk. had to replace the batt. in the key fab as well and do a procedure to reset the alarm system. No sound of a fuel pump and so need to find the fuse and if that is ok, look at the filter and fuel pump on the bike.

The pressure washer needed a new battery and with all that the solenoid quit but had a spare. letting my sone work on that.

My friend Roger thinks he has found wheel cylinders so will hope to get that old dump truck going.

SwampDonkey · June 15, 2025, 08:01:10 AM

I'm going to need a new piece of fuel line for the tiller. It's cracked someplace. I think I need to take off the filter housing to get at it, behind. Nothing major, but I think a common thing on 20+ year old small engines. Just need to do it.