Leaf vac problems

[Bill645]

Well, My original leaf vac bit the dust on 11/22/03... impeller was out of balance, and the vibration cracked the engine...oil everywhere...

Now that I bought another vac, I would like to repair the old one... Problem is, I can't get the impeller off the shaft of the engine...I was using a puller, and could only get it about 1/2-3/4 off the shaft, and it is stuck. I might have another engine kicking around, but I can't do anything til I get the old impeller off! Any ideas?

[Woody]

Bill645:

Using dry ice on the crankshaft will chill it (-110 F) and cause it to shrink, and should give you enough to get the impeller off. You could also try heating the impeller to make it expand, but I'm not sure of its composition or tendency to warp with uneven heating.

I would get a small chunk of dry ice, and some GLOVES, and try holding it on JUST the crankshaft, right inside the impeller, and see if that doesn't do it. The metal will most likely squeal when you do this, so don't be suprised. Try and keep it in constant contact with the crank for about a minute or so, and have the puller ready to go. This may get you enough to get it apart.

Woody

[Bill645]

Hmmm.. Dry Ice huh.... I would have never thought of that! I'll have to find some of that around here and give it a try!

At least all my fall cleanups are done, and now I have time to work on this! Talk about being lucky... I finished up 2 hrs. before it started snowing here!

I will definetly try the the dry ice! Thanks!