Can I store my log spliter like this?

[jodebg]

I have an MTD with a B&S 6hp engine that's 8-9 years old.
It is only used for a couple of months in the fall. The rest of the time we
have to work around it.

Last Fall I decided to sit it up 90 degrees and strap it to the wall. This means the
engine in also tilted 90 degrees. I drained the engine oil before storing it.

This Fall I added engine oil and went to work. I noticed engine oil leaking into
the oil filter. Didn't know if the oil leak was due to a possible over fill of an
engine problem?

Got it set up to use one morning and it would not start-always starts second pull.
Noticed it was easier to pull than usual.

My tech took it and thought it was a dirty carb so he cleaned and rebuilt the carb.
When he towed it behind his truck and said it bounced terribly.

Got it back and ran for a short while and then would not start.

He then found a blown head gasket and a valve seat that was not seated properly.
Now it runs fine and we have good compression.



With this background information,I have a couple of questions.

-Could storing the splitter upright with the engine sitting on its side (no oil) cause the
problem with the head gasket or valve seat, or any other problems?

-Was the oil leaking into the air filter from a faulty head gasket of valve seat?

 

[oldnslo]

with no oil and I presume no gas in the engine or fuel tank the engine shouldn't care which way you store it. If you did not drain 100 % of the oil out at it sat with the spark plug down residual oil could have drained into the cylinder and or valve cavity & air breather.

 

[jodebg]

Tilted up, the spark plug would be on the top.

 

[/pine]

...Was the oil leaking into the air filter from a faulty head gasket of valve seat?

Is it possible the oil in filter was there to help filter fine particles and after changing the position it settled and leaked?...and not necessarily related to the other issues?

 

[SouthpawJim]

I had the same thing happen with a B&S engine for a log splitter about 4 years ago. Stored my log splitter leaning up. Drained oil and fuel from engine. Next fall refilled and changed filter, wouldn't start. Cleaned carb, ran for a bit, then stopped.. Blown head gasket. Rebuilt it, never stored it leaning up again and it's been fine. No clue why it did it, but that was the only thing that changed. Yes I kept having to walk around it, and got tired of it too.

 

[2458n]

Maybe alittle oil contaminated the head gasket, and it blew out after seeing combustion pressures return when using it.

 

[jodebg]

I had the same thing happen with a B&S engine for a log splitter about 4 years ago. Stored my log splitter leaning up. Drained oil and fuel from engine. Next fall refilled and changed filter, wouldn't start. Cleaned carb, ran for a bit, then stopped.. Blown head gasket. Rebuilt it, never stored it leaning up again and it's been fine. No clue why it did it, but that was the only thing that changed. Yes I kept having to walk around it, and got tired of it too.

Thanks for the helpful information.

Did you ever have trouble with the detent assembly releasing slowly when the piston retracts? I've cleaned and lubed mine and it is still slow to release.

 

[SouthpawJim]

I have sprayed the **** out of that thing so many times. I stopped counting.

 

[john_bud]

It it was just a paper composite head gasket, I could see the residual engine oil soaking into it, weakening it and then blowing out when fired up. "theoretically"

Is that what really happens??? Dunno!


But it sounds like a great excuse to build a bigger building. I went from a 32x35. Then after 10 years, added a 25 ft extension to it. Then 10 years later built a 36x48 building. Then the next year added 10ft wide lean-to's on both 48ft long sides.

Oh, and I have an additional 36x36 building on another plot with a 10ft lean to on one side...

 

[SouthpawJim]

See I like that idea. My wife probably won't. According to her, I need to get rid of some things. She doesn't understand why I keep things that I use once a year.

Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.