Subaru powered air compressor

[theoldtexasfarmer]

On a john deere aci-5gs air compressor, Subaru motor,three years old.used little but gas was left in carb(my mistake).It ran rough if it started,typical carb problem.I removed outer plastic cover and sprayed carb cleaner down choke several times.Did not help.So I took it to local mower shop,after a week I went back for results.They didnt even look at it until they saw me.I heard it sputtering.With out doing any thing else,the estimate was $270.Included was oil,filter,plug,which I knew it didnt need,and new carb.He hadnt even looked at any of it.I declined to have it worked on.New,list price is $699.Funny thing while waiting the girl called somebody and gave them the exactly same estimate.Seems to be rigged.Got home,tried it and it immediately started knocking .Took plug out.The electrode?The thing you set gap on),was pushed down on center electrode.I gapped plug reinstalled it tried again ,same thing.What is going on here?It didnt do this before going to shop.Could something get sucked into motor from carb?The plug washer was still in place.Could piston be hitting plug? I need air asap to blow tractor radiator.The shop didnt even know how long to get carb.But this carb looked serviceable to me.Anybody know anything about a sabaru 4.5 motor?.......I guess I will need to get a new air compressor but gas powered ones are scarce to find.
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[wisbaker]

Could be the "wrong" plug found it's way into the engine and the wrong plug is to
long. For $270 if you shop carefully you could almost get a new engine. Why your
estimate was $270 could start a very long and heated debate. From the fact that many
lawn & garden places pay mechanics little more than minimum wage, and unfortunately at
minimum wage some are over paid. Next the influx of cheap box store power equipment
has driven prices and margin down in the industry. The cost of running a shop, paying
wages, unemployment insurance, work man's comp, liability insurance, covering your
employees screw ups and customer demands (it's YOUR fault my lawnmower blew up because
you worked on it 4 years a go, whadda mean it ran out of oil YOU must of not put in
enough 4 years ago) and the fact they can often hold a bigger margin on selling new
and on new equipment you have a warranty so they (the shop) have less liability all
gives you and idea of why it's getting harder and harder to get anything fixed.

 

[theoldtexasfarmer]

Thr only way a wrong plug could have gotten in there was if the shop did check the plug and put a wrong one in but dont think so.But it only started knocking after I got it back I will find owners manual and check plug spec.

 

[Frankmn]

You could get a Honda clone at harbor freight cheaper and re power it. Do not have any experience with Subaru small engines.

 

[guido]

Hello theoldtexasfarmer.
The engine is not old enough to have all those issues. Check your owners manual for the right plug. Gap the plug at least.025.
It sure sounds like the plug is too long for the engine. If a piece of a piston ring hit the plug it would explain the knock and the plug electrode bent in. Hope its only the wrong reach plug.
Guido.

 

[VicS]

I think a Subaru is a Honda clone. My neighbor got one from Harbor Freight. Sounds just like it. Can buy the whole package for less that the Motor costs. Harbor freight does have a excellent warranty. They don't work on then they just give you a new one no questions.

 

[theoldtexasfarmer]

I fixed it myself.I found the reason it wouldnt run.A small orfice in the bowl with the float was rusted up.Looks like moisture had collected in the bowl.I bought a new plug as manual listed.It was way shorter than what was in it when I got it back from the shop.Evideently they changed the plug and put the wrong one in and the piston was hitting the plug.Runs great now.Took me 2 hours but I had never done it before.If they hadnt tried to rip me off for things I knew it didnt need I might have let them fix it.But not $270.The subaru Robin carb is not a cheap throw away but can be worked on.All I needed was a thin wire.I just need to turn the fuel off and run it dry each time.I still think the subaru is a lower cost alternitive to a honda.At least they didnt charge me for the estimate even though a sign said $35 for estimate.

 

[Tramway Guy]

Robin engines used to be sold in the U.S. by Wisconsin
Motors before Subaru took over the line.

 

[JDseller]

I have found on engines that set long periods between usage need to have gas stabilizer ran in them 100% of the time. That way you can shut it of and walk away. It will be fine the next time you need it. I don't like running them dry of gas as I have seen this newer formulated gas leave a film on the internal parts that will dry sticky. Then the next time you go to use it it will not run right. I personally have had great luck with Sea Foam. Some on here bad mouth it but I have had great results.

 

[Anonymous-0]

how do you like that air compressor? been looking at one of those for a while.. wasn't sure how the air output was? and if it was as portable as it looks?

later.. chris

 

[theoldtexasfarmer]

Loved it until it gave trouble,but they all will with this lousy gas.Great for portable use.All I use it for is airing tires blowing radiators.My son has used an impact wrench but had to stop and let pressure build.Specs can be found at deere.com....select home-workshop.....I think thats it,saw it somewhere at deere.com.List price $699