Comanche leaf vacuum won't pull
#1
11-18-23, 05:38 PM
Comanche leaf vacuum won't pull
I have a Comanche leaf vacuum and while it's worked great it suddenly won't crank. I let it run out of gas, I filled it again, and pulled the crank. It got harder and harder to pull and finally locked up. I tried taking out the spark plug in case there was too much compression or something. What should I do to try to fix this?
#3
11-19-23, 07:08 AM
I can't do that either. It was cranking fine, then it got progressively harder and harder to crank then it stopped all in about a 5 minute time frame when the fuel level dropped.
#4
11-19-23, 08:51 AM
If it has a recoil starter, and you can't rotate the crankshaft with that (with the spark plug out) you have serious trouble and need to get professional help. If you have an electric starter, that is another ball game. Loss of fuel level should have nothing to do with the engine not rolling over, Understand? (unless you snapped your connecting rod and it pushed the piston thru the full tank....
Last edited by WML13; 11-19-23 at 09:04 AM.
#5
11-19-23, 10:05 AM
No it's a pull starter. It ran out of fuel while I was using it yesterday, and I put fuel in. Then I pull started it and it got harder and harder to pull. Now it is like it's completely locked up.
#7
11-19-23, 11:05 AM
Group Moderator
How much oil is in the machine?
When you pull the starter cord do you feel it pull easily for a few inches until it engages the engine? Or, is the cord not moving at all like it's locked in place? If the pull cord doesn't move at all then the starter cord might be jammed or broken. If the cord pulls easily then gets hard it hints that the pull starter is OK since it doesn't stop until it's engaged the engine but it points to an internal engine problem. The starter is a pretty easy and inexpensive fix. Then the oil question becomes even more important.
When you pull the starter cord do you feel it pull easily for a few inches until it engages the engine? Or, is the cord not moving at all like it's locked in place? If the pull cord doesn't move at all then the starter cord might be jammed or broken. If the cord pulls easily then gets hard it hints that the pull starter is OK since it doesn't stop until it's engaged the engine but it points to an internal engine problem. The starter is a pretty easy and inexpensive fix. Then the oil question becomes even more important.
#8
11-19-23, 11:14 AM
I put half a quart in there last week, and it was running like a clock prior to the fuel thing. The pull cord does not move at all, but it was getting harder and harder until it wouldn't crank at all yesterday. This happened even after I popped the spark plug.
#9
11-19-23, 12:08 PM
Is the engine a direct drive to the vacuum impeller? You could have an engine problem or the vacuum device could be freezing. Separating the two would help isolate the problem.
#12
11-19-23, 01:38 PM
I'm trying that now. I took the cover off the bottom and I can't get the blade to spin at all
#13
11-19-23, 02:19 PM
Ok, well that got it spinning, unfortunately there was a loud bang after running fine for about fifteen minutes and a big chunk of the engine wall broke off. Now I think I need a new engine. Any suggestions? Replace the engine or the entire unit? It's a 4.5hp craftsman engine
#15
11-19-23, 03:44 PM
Oh yeah, other than the 2x3 inch hole in the side of the engine everything's great. Where can I get another engine?
#17
11-19-23, 04:26 PM
For a replacement try smallenginewarehouse.com they have a section for repower older equipment. Have a good one, Geo
Buy replacement gasoline engines for lawnmowers and equipment from Small Engine Warehouse
Buy replacement gasoline engines for lawnmowers and equipment from Small Engine Warehouse
#18
11-19-23, 04:30 PM
Group Moderator
Google the engine model and see if it is still available. I googled Comanche leaf Vacuum and got very little info. Perhaps if it is an older machine harbor fright might have a replacement engine that would match up.
#19
11-19-23, 05:48 PM
Yeah it's a sears craftsman that says tecumseh on the engine. It's a model 143.004500 according to the label
#22
11-19-23, 06:36 PM
I just went to the site they don't seem to have nearly as many models listed as they used to, maybe call the number listed on their home page 765-703-4874. Have a good one. Geo
#23
11-19-23, 07:48 PM
I did go through the repower steps and it isn't there. I'm looking at getting a harbor freight but my experience with their stuff is not great. I'd really prefer a Honda, Briggs&Stratton, etc.
#25
11-20-23, 10:03 AM
Group Moderator
You can use whatever brand engine you want. You just need to confirm that the specs match up, especially the engine's output shaft. I've repowered many machines, usually converting them to Honda power.
