midpack 1,117 #1 Posted January 28 After the walloping we got Sunday into Monday I used Mongo to clean up. Mostly it did great but it started running rich. I think the snow was so fluffy it was getting in the air cleaner. Wanted to use it the next day to clean up the plow berms at the end of the driveway and the bendix wouldn't engage. Took the cover off and there was a nice chunk of ice in the tin. Cleaned that out and still no engagement. I ended up using a propane torch on the end of the starter for maybe 10 to 15 seconds. That was all it took. 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 17,575 #2 Posted January 29 (edited) 17 hours ago, midpack said: That was all it took. Your pictures and story remind me of an Eskimo joke involving a brown spot on an igloo blanket. Long story short, when peeled off the blanket and thrown into a fire, it made a PPPFFFTTT sound... Edited January 29 by kpinnc 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 16,109 #3 Posted January 29 On 1/28/2026 at 6:49 AM, midpack said: ended up using a propane torch on the end of the starter for maybe 10 to 15 seconds. I recommend keeping an eye out for a good sale on a strong variable heat gun. Mine has temp and fan speed controls and cost about $60 a few years back. Way safer than an open flame anywhere near flammables like a fuel system (and yes, I realize it requires an extension cord for power--worth the trouble to me). Great, as well, for those shrink/solder connectors, thawing frozen pipes, and softening hoses being put onto nibs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midpack 1,117 #4 Posted January 29 I think my wife has a heat gun, but it's somewhere in her craft room... I used to have a hair blow dryer that probably would have worked but since we moved, I have no idea where it would be Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 16,109 #5 Posted January 29 (edited) 1 hour ago, midpack said: I think my wife has a heat gun, but it's somewhere in her craft room... I used to have a hair blow dryer that probably would have worked but since we moved, I have no idea where it would be Hair blow dryers typically move a lot of air for a given amount of heat with maybe two or three power settings. My wife, too, has a heat gun for crafting--low air volume & moderate heat appropriate for her needs. A good heat gun gives you control over wide ranges of both temperature and airflow. This is what I’m using. Initially purchased to soften floor tiles and mastic when redoing a kitchen floor. Edited January 29 by Handy Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 17,575 #6 Posted January 30 (edited) You can buy a cheap heat gun at Harbor Freight for $20. My first one lasted several years. It will burn skin off a pig at 5 feet... Edited January 30 by kpinnc 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
