The World According to Ken Cox
This is where I write about stuff I find interesting.
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Hydro-Gear BDU-10S hydrostatic transmission repair - English transcript
Sunday, 8 March 2026
Caleb Flynn Murder Case Files Access
The murder of Ashley Flynn and the arrest of her pastor husband Caleb Flynn is an engrossing true crime drama. Here are instructions for following the case docket.
- Navigate to https://courts.miamicountyohio.gov/eservices/ .
- Scroll down to the "Case Search" area and click "Click Here".
- On the Search page, in the Site box, select "Miami County Common Pleas Court".
- Click the "Advanced Case #" link.
- In the "Year" box, enter 2026.
- From the "Type" box, select Criminal.
- In the "Number" box, enter 00088.
- Click "Search". The search results appear.
- In the first column, click on "Flynn, Caleb C." to view the document list.
- On the "Case Details" screen, click "Docket" to view the available documents.
- In the "Image Avail." column, click "Image" to load the document.
Monday, 23 June 2025
EvapoRust Alternative Recipe - Homemade Rust Remover
I'm experimenting with the homemade rust remover featured in this YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVYZmeReKKY
I used Sodium Carbonate and added some Dawn dish detergent as indicated.
Friday, 1 November 2024
Kohler RH265 Linkage Solved On a Benchmark 38247 Tiller
I'm repairing a seized piston in a Kohler RH265 engine used on a Benchmark 38247 tiller made by Ardisam. I got the governor-throttle linkage hooked up fine, but had a linkage left over that I couldn't figure out where it went.
After checking with Roger at Hamelin's in North Bay it turns out Kohler uses a 3-position throttle lever. The first position, Start, closes the choke by pushing the choke linkage into it. The idle and run positions allow the choke spring to open the choke.
I usually take photographs as I disassemble a motor but failed to do on this part. I caused myself a lot of frustration, but Roger got me going again.
Tuesday, 20 August 2024
Monday, 17 June 2024
Unseizing a Ring Stuck in a Piston
I was rebuilding a Honda GX140 motor that is part of an industrial pressure washing system that I acquired for a mere $100. The engine had been sitting outside for ten years and was definitely seized. The spark plug was missing, so who knows how long rain had been collecting inside the cylinder.
I followed YouTube videos on how to unseize a motor by pouring in a voodoo concoction of half carburetor cleaner and half kerosene. The idea is to constantly soak the piston in the rust-fighting chemicals, jiggle the cylinder frequently, and work the crankshaft until the piston eventually frees up. This happens over a couple of days. The biggest danger is if frustration takes over. You can apply too much pressure and break or score the parts.
In my case, the piston freed up after a reasonable time - two days. There was a substantial ridge of rust at the top of the cylinder wall that took rust eater and some light scraping to remove.
Once the piston was out, the hard part began: the rings were frozen solid into the piston grooves. I started another days-long round of suggested fixes including soaking in the aforementioned chemicals, heating the piston with a heat gun, tapping the rings with a plastic hammer, spraying penetrating oil, and even boiling the piston for 20 minutes.
Hours passed without apparent progress. Then, as the lyric goes, "Just a little change, small to say the least"! Under heat, part of the ring lifted ever so slightly. At first, I assumed it was wishful thinking because the change was barely perceptible.
An hour or two later, something else happened: rusty liquid seeped from a tiny area of a ring. It wasn't even a whole drop but an encouraging clue that the constant spray of toxic products was getting into the right place. All of the tutorials tell you that you must have patience. The problem is, they don't tell you how much patience is required.
In my case, the bottom ring raised and came off first. I used a small pick to get into the gap and work it loose. Next was the top ring. It broke in several places because I was too eager to pull sections off instead of waiting for the penetrating oil.
The middle ring almost broke me. I kept thinking that for 50 bucks, I could abandon this nonsense and order a new part. But hope springs eternal even if the ring does not.
The final breakthrough was entirely unexpected. I was almost defeated and ready to hit the Order button for the part. But I went back out to the garage to give it one more college try. There seemed to be a subtle change in the ring, where I thought I might be able to get my pick into the gap. Risking stabbing by other hand, I applied more pick pressure than I had previously dared. At this point, if I ruined the piston, I was out nothing anyway, right?
Wow! Things moved!
In terms of a story, this was the climax. I knew everything would resolve itself fine from that point on. Sure enough, during the denouement, I picked and sprayed, heated and sprayed, and finally had several broken pieces of ring to my great satisfaction.
I shared this small joy with my wife who offered an unenthusiastic "congratulations". Her flat response didn't matter. I alone knew this was a major achievement. I had shown patience and persistence, and triumphed over years of rust and neglect.
Yes, the piston and the rings were unseized and the key parts were not damaged. What's more, I had saved myself 50 bucks with only a week's labour (and 40 dollars' worth of chemicals)!
Thursday, 9 March 2023
Bell remote control not working
I just had my Bell 9242 PVR receiver replaced because the old one was acting up. The new unit refused to recognize my existing black remote controllers.
After half an hour with support going through the remote reset procedures, I had to give up because it was time to take the dog out.
Tonight, I tried Bell Support again and managed to get to Level 2 support. It turns out that there's a new software version in these replacement PVRs and the PVR is not compatible with the old black controllers. They can tell the compatible remotes by the colour of the Select button.
In the end Bell agreed to send me two replacement remotes. They should have included these with the replacement box in the first place. They should also tell their Level 1 support about this. That would save a lot of hassle.