OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions on Other Engines Sanli

I had a Sanli dropped off here to day, they said it just stopped a couple of weeks ago. On checking the oil none showing on the dipstick and on checking for spark I noticed oil sprayed out the front and oil started dripping off the skirt on the right hand side. Immediate guess is lower crank seal has failed but on picking it up there is no sign of any oil on the underside of the motor and the shaft is bone dry, From the anount of oil flung around the blade carrier must have been full of oil. My question is how did it get there. There is now oil coming from anywhere on the upper side of the motor so it is a mystery
Also they dropped off a Stihl brush cutter they said would't rev up.

Thought of a sneaky way to see if it had been straight fueled so I asked him how much oil he had put in the brush cutter. His reply that he didn't know how much and when I asked him what fuel he was using his reply was 91

Why would you want to deal with societies drongos like that?
I'll take the pay cut thanks.

Never seen them before, they just rocked up today said their cousin told them to come here

I was asked to repair the pull start on a trimmer that doesn't latch. I told him the pull start is fine; its the engine thats f'd.

No oil = fast death.

Norm, I have heard and seen the crankcase seal (between the sump and crankcase going on these right at the front directly under the piston) on some of the later sanlis.

I have had good luck with rislone stop leak if it is a fast weep, but by the sound of it its beyond that.


By the way, the new 18in sanlis now have gone 2 steps back from where they were; now they have a bar blade and no longer have a functioning throttle; its choke, run flat out or off.

Just when they start making a reasonable engine to throw onto other chassis's they go and stuff it all up

Personally I have never like the throttle-less controlled engines but of course I don't see wasting fuel to cut short or thin grass. It like all the automatic chokes being tried out now.

Fixed speed walk behind have been around here for at least 20 years here. If you are just now getting them you are that far behind or just lucky that they only showed up lately. As for some these engine the governor springs are very touchy as just not any old spring will work. Nearly burn one engine by using the wrong spring.

AVB, we haven't had them for all that long. Beside some imported MTD, Bolens and similar (mostly side throw or high rear wheel) mowers from the 2000's, we have thus far been spared.

I would guess the first ones around here (though I have no doubt forgotten some) was around 2012 when Aldi began selling 16in Chonda engined mowers, followed by some Big W and Masters brand 'Automatic' and '909' mowers. Some of which had Briggs 148cc.

Now we have a fair few; the imported Toro's and cheap chinese OHV Chonda's being the most obvious example.

Many of the Honda GCV's now have no throttle; Rover mowers were the most adoptive of the technology using it on even some of their premier Procut models. Seems they have worked out we don't like it too much; only a couple cheap models have it now.

I personally like to warm the engine up at idle for 2-4 minutes before mowing; then not used full throttle when mowing if not required. It really irks me to have to fire up an engine and have it go straight to flat chat

It does look like anything goes when making the production cost less. I just service a Briggs engine on a Craftsman walk behind that don't even have an oil drain plug; although, the casting still have the place for one. Glad I brought that HF pneumatic oil change equipment where I can suck the oil out; otherwise, it would have been a mess to clean up.

Just wonder when they start making fix speed hand helds that you have to shut off everytime sit it down. Boy that would dangerous for a chainsaw.

Many briggs haven't had drains since around 2010, but still have a hollow in the sump. I picked up a 200ml syringe and attached a piece of tygon fuel line to the end. Works quite well. Though I must post a certain embarrassing oil change incident in the 'funny stuff' sub forum regarding it haha.

Hopefully they don't make fixed speed handhelds - though Echo have just made an auto choke chainsaw

I told the bloke I was not interested in wasting good oil putting it in the mower to see if I can get it started. Another strange thing is it looks like the blades have been sharpened and not used since. Not sure if these people are trying to play me for a mug, always suspicious when you struggle to get info from them. I will just tell them to come and pick them up. Kiwis mowing lawns with a couple of Sanlis is always going to end in tears.
And another little titbit of news, looks like you can use teflon tape to tighten up the blades

Norm, Many times here I have test oil on hand. It is oil that I put in UV dye for testing so end draining it out after the test and save for later tests.

As for customers trying things they here always seem to be trying tricks. Things like running an engine without oil and then putting oil in it before they bring it in for repairs. Usually can tell as the oil is too clean.

And Norm here one that happen 5 yrs ago here. Customer brings in a walk behind with bar blade complaining it shaking a lot. When flip up the deck what did I find? The blade was just duct tape on. He was to cheap to buy and install the blade retaining bolt.

Goodness me, your convict heritage is well and truly evident your way AVB. Certain minorities as well *cough cough*.