Monday...really?

[Mugwump]

..as the forecast rains become forecasts snow now......the day appears a bit gloomy....

...but I do need to run a couple errands..with luck I may beat most the stuff ....

[LizStreithorst]

Sorry.  It's still nice here but rain is coming.

I'm rather proud of myself.  I went into Ellisville because the larder was bare but I also wanted to talk to Chip.  I didn't mention yesterday the disappointment I experienced when I pulled the cord on the mower, it went vroom and then quit.  Later it wasn't just that...gas started dripping out from where the air filter lives.  I took off the carburetor bowl and it had what looked like grease on the bottom of it.  That didn't seem right so I wiped out the grease and put the bowl back on, but It didn't fix the problem.  I told Chip about what was going on and he told me that the float valve was stuck and to pull the carburetor off, bring it to him and he would fix it. 

I'd never done that before but I figured out how to do it.  It only took a 10 mm wrench, pliers, needle nose pliers, and a lot of thought because it was my first time.  I ran the carb into Chip and watched him take it apart.  He cleaned it with something called brake cleaner which made all the gunk fall off.  Since I watched him I think I can do the same thing myself if this ever happens again.

Putting it back together was another challenge.  There are lots of parts with gaskets and springs and if everything isn't right the engine won't do right.  I could tell when I finally got everything put back together and cranked the mower that I wasn't getting the rpm's that I should.  I had left a thing off.  I took it apart again and put the thing back.  Something still wasn't right. Somehow a spring had changed it's orientation so that took a 3rd taking apart and putting back together before I achieved success.

I know that I didn't exactly do it myself but I did enough of it myself and watch what I didn't do to know that if it happens again I can do it totally by myself.  Makes me feel like I'm not a helpless old woman.

[Mugwump]

Sorry.  It's still nice here but rain is coming.

I'm rather proud of myself.  I went into Ellisville because the larder was bare but I also wanted to talk to Chip.  I didn't mention yesterday the disappointment I experienced when I pulled the cord on the mower, it went vroom and then quit.  Later it wasn't just that...gas started dripping out from where the air filter lives.  I took off the carburetor bowl and it had what looked like grease on the bottom of it.  That didn't seem right so I wiped out the grease and put the bowl back on, but It didn't fix the problem.  I told Chip about what was going on and he told me that the float valve was stuck and to pull the carburetor off, bring it to him and he would fix it. 

I'd never done that before but I figured out how to do it.  It only took a 10 mm wrench, pliers, needle nose pliers, and a lot of thought because it was my first time.  I ran the carb into Chip and watched him take it apart.  He cleaned it with something called brake cleaner which made all the gunk fall off.  Since I watched him I think I can do the same thing myself if this ever happens again.

Putting it back together was another challenge.  There are lots of parts with gaskets and springs and if everything isn't right the engine won't do right.  I could tell when I finally got everything put back together and cranked the mower that I wasn't getting the rpm's that I should.  I had left a thing off.  I took it apart again and put the thing back.  Something still wasn't right. Somehow a spring had changed it's orientation so that took a 3rd taking apart and putting back together before I achieved success.

I know that I didn't exactly do it myself but I did enough of it myself and watch what I didn't do to know that if it happens again I can do it totally by myself.  Makes me feel like I'm not a helpless old woman.

..if there's a college or HS offering a 'small engine' class...you'd have fun with it...heck, classes are free for seniors...some even off grants

[LizStreithorst]

We have the Junior college.  I'll find out out if they offer that.  I'd enjoy it and learn valuable stuff at the same time.

[Mugwump]

We have the Junior college.  I'll find out out if they offer that.  I'd enjoy it and learn valuable stuff at the same time.

....Jan talked about taking it in the fall....

[wsantia1]

Just came in from my last daily extended walk with Kobe. It is absolutely beautiful out (comparatively) with temps in the 50s and a medium breeze. With the clear skies I was able to see Venus and Mercury setting side by side in the west. It was a beauty.

[Mugwump]

..it's been ominous looking all day high gusrty winds and falling temps.......a bit ago we got our "Tom Skilling' phone notice of heavy precip warning....

..so far...sleet/rain..sleet..rain...snow/sleet...to finally snow now.... ...and still the high wind gusts.....it's crazy out there 

[wsantia1]

..it's been ominous looking all day high gusrty winds and falling temps.......a bit ago we got our "Tom Skilling' phone notice of heavy precip warning....

..so far...sleet/rain..sleet..rain...snow/sleet...to finally snow now.... ...and still the high wind gusts.....it's crazy out there 

It's coming this way.

[Mugwump]

..it's been ominous looking all day high gusrty winds and falling temps.......a bit ago we got our "Tom Skilling' phone notice of heavy precip warning....

..so far...sleet/rain..sleet..rain...snow/sleet...to finally snow now.... ...and still the high wind gusts.....it's crazy out there 

It's coming this way.

..it's slow mover, so stock up you stash and frozen pizzas......