[Patti]

Hi,

We have a Hydramaster Spitfire. The exhaust has a massive build up of an oily, tar like substance that it spits out in great lumps when the machine is on. It's only 3 1/2 years old and it's only just started to do this. We could not believe the gunge just inside the exhaust and have tried to clean it out as best as possible. But it's a major problem because today it spit it out all over our hoses and it would a nightmare if we walked that onto a carpet!

What are we doing wrong?

[Joe H]

When was it last serviced? ie air filter etc

[mark pritchard]

check to see if you have over filled the engine oil

[will_turton]

  its a build up of crap in the blower, theres a mesh filler in the waste tank,if you take the lid of ur waste tank, and pour some grasebreaker in hot water throw it, you'll see a serious amount of black crap come throw ur exhaurst, you need ur machine running on full revs, once done leave the machine on and spray some penzol in it, i get it after doing some clubs not a big deal, just get it cleaned out,

[Joe H]

Patti

Which exhaust are you referring to?

The engine exhaust or the blower exhaust?

2 answers you have refer to the engine and 1 refers to the blower.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I'd have thought Billy's answer was spot on sounds like you need a good clean out another thing to do is get it serviced by Hydramaster or their place in Oxford.

Shaun

[Buster Ingram]

Patti it sounds like you have the build up in the blower exchanger under neath the machine. This is not unusual for the Spitfire range, I have the 4.0 and regularly have to rod mine out. This is done by pushing a long piece of welding rod through the small holes in the front of the machine where the exhaust gases come out a bit tedious because it needs every hole rodded out. When completed stand well back and fire up the machine, why stand back ?
The crap that comes out of the front is amazing, when this is done your vaccum suction will increase dramatically.

[John Gregory]

Patti   listen to Dave's advice he has rodded plenty of hole's in his time 

John

[Patti]

Hi everyone,

thank you for all your help - so,so grateful.

Re: Servicing.
Husband really tries to look after his 'baby' well, he changes filters etc regularly. Treats it better than me!

Joe,

I'm female so don't know too much about stuff like this but it only has one, the big, black thing at the front of the machine - ok, ok I know that sounds daft.

Will and Dave,

Will follow your advice. I was amazed at how much stuff came out of it this morning, so I can imagine what else there is in there.

Thank you to everyone. Will try all your suggestions and let you know how we get on. This is the forum working at its best. 

I'm posting from Wales, so

Nos da (goodnight in Welsh)

[richie]

Hi DADDY DAVE....
You stole the idea of pushing a rod like thing into the holes from me!!!!!

PATTI,

Give me a call on 07984 052 669

Richie.

[Buster Ingram]

It was Paul Elliot who told me when I first had the 4,0 and every month out comes the rod

[murky]

Thanks for that advice all.

I have a Spitfir 4.0, but never had the problems specified by Patti, looks like I will be getting the rods out over the weekend and cleaning the exhaust out, never occured to me!!!!!!!!!!!!

Murky