Hello Davestexas; I am assuming this is a Ryobi 725r with the 31cc 2 stroke, I have many Ryobi 31 cc blowers which have the same engine, and have rebuilt many of the 31 cc engines. In addition to checking the pistone for scoring , this sounds like an air leak in the engine. The usual spot is the flage between the crank case housing and the cylinder base. Check this flange for proper torque, 2 allen cap screws 3/16" allen hex key needed. Also check the carburator mounting gaskets (to the reed valve plate-the black plastic "manifold" under the carburetor). Dont overtorque-they are just plastic threads. I like to use Permatex 2B non-hardening compound on these gaskets to seal well. Finally, check all fuel lines for leaks, check the primer bulb for leaks. PS -these run A LOT better if you drill 2 1/4 in. holes in the muffler internal baffle near the inlet of the muffler and shorten the outlet tube length to 1/2" internally.

Kyponder, You can't really tell from these pics but my pond is 3 tiered- the beach area is 0-10", 2nd levels- 18-20", and the center is 32". I have stone in the beach area with sand in between, and stone also on the next level in spots.I too have heard mostly negative about using rocks but the pond just wouldn't look the same without them. The pond is in its' third year and you do get muck that collects between the rock. The nice thing though, most of my plants are sending out roots into the muck and I think this will make them healthier plants. The grasses and parrots feather have taken root in the muck and are starting to spread. I've read that this 'muck' can create an anaerobic problem in the winter when the pond is iced over, but I do keep an opening in the ice with a 'Thermo-pond' deicer for gas exchange. I did lose all my bullfrogs last winter, but I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it, I don't know. The deepest part of my pond doesn't have any stone, that way, when necessary, I can clean the bottom with a 'ShopVac'. Most of your debris will 'migrate' towards the deepest part. I don't like using chemicals in the pond unless I absolutely have to, but this spring I did break down and bought a quart of a product called 'Microbe Lift/SA' (sludge away). It dissolved about half of the sludge that was in the pond and, as advertised, didn't harm any of the fish, goldfish and shubunkins. They recommended regular treatments with it but I was happy with what it had already done and let it go at that. I don't want to remove it all, because, like I said, my plant roots seem to enjoy it. I may use it every couple years to keep the stone in the pond showing. I think the main thing is to try and keep as much debris as possible out of the pond. Being in northern Illinois I have to net my pond towards the end of October, but it's still almost impossible to keep everything out. The pond is one of my best investments. The little maintenance that I have to do is well worth it. Many nights on the deck, after all the dogs have gone to bed, with the floods on the waterfall. Happy Ponding, Witz

I bought the BR600 in March. Tested both it and the RedMax EBZ8000. Both seems to blow about the same, which is to say a heck of alot, but the Stihl was alot quieter (sounded about 1/2 the rpms too) and felt alot lighter. I think its only 5lb lighter but it was very noticable. I had read about the valve adjust. Many I've talked to have blown by the 139hrs with no adjustment and no problems. Heard it's relatively easy to do and Stihl sells a cheap kit with valve cover gasket and feeler gauge. Video of the simple procedure here: http://www.stihl.ca/4mix/english/stihl4mix/service1.htm Didn't know about the "decoking" until you mentioned it. My manual says 139hrs or if required. I plan to run it until I notice a performance problem. I run synthetic oil at 80:1 in it, and everyting else, and have had no problems in maybe 20hrs of use. nevada_walrus: What was the short block problems you were seeing? Only problems I've heard on them was the plastic handle breaking for landscapers using trailer hangers that weren't designed for properly for them. In short, I love it. Saves alot of time in cleanups over my handheld. At idle it moves as much air as my echo handheld. At full throttle it will move a brick across my driveway and I've got to be careful not to point directly at the ground or dirt and grass will fly.

I was just being a buster zl, I know what you meant when you gave that advice and you're absolutely correct. I know exactly what your talking about, I started off in the trade working for a contractor just like that. Fresh out of tech school and didn't really know my butt from a hole in the ground about the trade yet and Joe Hack and Company is throwing me out to the wolves. He told me once if I didn't know what I was doing on somebodys system then just turn on the soot vac and bang the pipes or ductwork once in a while for about a half an hour, then make out a ticket and boogie! I learned a long time ago to treat people no better or no worse then I wanted to be treated myself. A little advice for anyone reading this. Don't be afraid to go pay that tech a visit while he's working on your system. Ask him a question or two. If he tells you he can't work around people just remind him whose house he happens to be in and if he doesn't like having the customer there, to bad, it's your house. But at the same time don't be a distrusting royal PITA either!