Masterblend El Diablo

Hi all,

so I've purchased an el diablo tm last year and have been having multiple problems with it since. My pressure hose popped off a few times (which is not a big deal, inconvenient, but not a biggie), the machine lost power on me a few times dropping its rpms down to 1500 at full throttle causing black smoke to come out of the exhaust (to a point of setting off carbon monoxide alarms at clients houses! - No, I was not parked directly in front of the door).

I took the machine back to the shop where I've purchased it and at first I was told it was the air filter which I paid to have replaced. A few weeks later the same exact thing happened - lost power with smoke. Took it back again and once again I was told its the air filter (which I took off to see if the performace would restore - it didn't).
I've decided to check the spark plugs which were black with soot. Ordered new ones, put them in and ran the diablo for about TEN SECONDS. Took out the brand new spark plugs and have found them to be black as well!
My shop is on a block with a couple of good mechanics aso I went to them for advice. I explained the symptoms  and they said it looks like the engine is running "rich on gas" (which would explain the smoke from exhaust) and that the pressure should be checked in the engine. Ether way, I took the machine back to my supplier and told them that the engine is running rich on gas. They called someone who told them that the spark plugs have been updated and the machine needs different spark plugs then originally used and that I am to get them myself (I feel that masterblend should have let all the owners know about this problem (if thats the case) and supply them with the proper spark plugs) also was told that some part needs to be replaced and that its covered under warranty - so no biggie, stuff happens, they are making it right. So a week later the part comes in and I get a phone call from the supplier that the part came in but masterblend WILL NOT PAY FOR THE LABOR!?!?!?!? Around $300. 

- WORD TO MASTERBLEND... If I knew there were going to be such problems with your machine, I'd never buy one. Also, I didn't pay full price for a brand new machine only to be putting money into it in the first year. I'm in the market for my 4th tm... El Diablo was what I was going to purchase...  I think I'll stick with prochem... pathetic... Masterblend is like a portable carpet cleaner swearing that he "steam cleans." 

Last week I've received the "Devil" back and its running like a champ! It doesn't burn oil anymore, carbon monoxide alarms don't go off and it doesn't lose rpm's.
- I believe it was just a defaulted engine. (That's My luck for Ya)

Sorry for late reply. The engine was a honda and was replaced with another honda. It ran fine for a few months and died on me again. The second time it was replaced with a kohler and is fine for now. Last week a drive coupler went which was replaced under warranty.

Does anyone know if heating oil can be used for the heater in the diablo? I know diesel and kero. is recommended. Will heating oil work?

the ones i have out in the field have been relativly problem free...im told that high oil consumption on the honda is typical of that engine...other than the usuall machine glitches that all cleaning machines have...and we also recommend checking the oil every day on every machine before its started..and turning the choke off when it runs...helps alot