Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

[walleyehed]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

On the Craftsman, the drive pulley is stamped (on the units that use this engine), and large at both ends, shielding the crank at the top. If the blade comes to a sudden stop, the pressed key (part of the pulley) crumbles, or the belt slips. It doesn't use an Idler arm to engage deck, it's belt tension/brake release when lowered.
It "may" kill the engine when pulled down, but a sudden hit will not shear the key on this type of drive.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

On the Craftsman, the drive pulley is stamped (on the units that use this engine), and large at both ends, shielding the crank at the top. If the blade comes to a sudden stop, the pressed key (part of the pulley) crumbles, or the belt slips. It doesn't use an Idler arm to engage deck, it's belt tension/brake release when lowered.
It "may" kill the engine when pulled down, but a sudden hit will not shear the key on this type of drive.

You are right !

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

Thanks for the replies (I had no idea that this many small engine mechanics are on the Iboats forum!!!) I took apart the engine and saw exactly what was wrong. One of the rods was chewed to bits, and it hit the crankase cover with the full 19.5 HP it was capable of (there was a Huge chip out of it)!! I coud tell that the oil leaked out of there (thank god it did not crack the crankase)!! Unfortunately, I found a hairline crack on the short block. I figured that I could buy a much nicer running one for the price to fix this one, so I sold it for $200. Thanks for the tips!!

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

Workin on lawn mowers is "childs play" to alot of these old school boat owners in this forum. Im by no means a boat mechanic but have learned a great deal here. Afterall alot of boat engines have much in common with lawn mowers (just they have more power and pistons and cost A HECK OF ALOT OF MONEY.

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

That is exactly what I think of boat engines as (just big 4-stroke mower engines). Boat engines have pistons, a carburetor, valves, starters, etc. and so do mower engines. I think knowing how to fix boat engines well will have the same affect on a mower engine. I mean to say that if I find a project boat engine that threw a rod, I will think the same thing to it as I did the mower FORGET IT!!!

 

[redfury]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

That is exactly what I think of boat engines as (just big 4-stroke mower engines). Boat engines have pistons, a carburetor, valves, starters, etc. and so do mower engines. I think knowing how to fix boat engines well will have the same affect on a mower engine. I mean to say that if I find a project boat engine that threw a rod, I will think the same thing to it as I did the mower FORGET IT!!!

Well, you can pretty much just run up the line and say that a small gas engine isn't that much different than a boat motor, and a boat motor isn't that much different than the 4 cylinder in the wifes Cavalier. Realistically, they are all inherently different from each other, but they all share similarities in the way they basically function.

My thought is, if you understand how an ICE works on any level, you are ahead of the game with any motor you touch. The only difference is familiarity. I know car engines pretty well. I've got a pretty good clue on the basics of small gas engines. Boat motors are a bit more perplexing as I'm not totally inclined to understand 2 strokes, but I'm getting there. Everything has its own nuances, and learning them is what we call experience.
cheers!

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

I know what you mean about two strokes!! The carbs on those things are picky (they have to be tuned just right for the engine to run)!! I have a Mantis tiller that has a little 2 stroke on it. It would run like crap if you didn't put it in full throttle (it would always die if you let it idle).

I have another question for the local small engine mechanics. I bought a brand new Husqvarna push mower with a 6.75 HP Quantum B&S engine about two years ago. Ever since I had it, you would have to prime it at least 4 times to start it, and more to restart it (the instructions recommend 3 pushes of the primer). My neighbor has a Weedeater brand with a B&S engine also. He is having the same problem as well. I did notice that the plug was kind of dirty when I checked it out (this happens about every five hours of use). The plug was fouling pretty quick. Should I adjust the carb or is my fuel the culprit??

Thanks

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

Capri, a couple of weeks ago I got that same engine out of the junk by the side of the road from someone who's Toro lawnmowers deck rusted through. The engine purred like a kitten, once you got it started.

It didn't start easily at all. All kinds of issues. Once it ran though, it purred and started first crank. I fought it and fought it and finally it dawned on me, replace the plug and see what happens.

Now it starts first time, every time. Set it to .030 and enjoy the ride! Put the correct plug in it (a champion something something 19LM, I just dug through my nasty trash can for you and I couldn't find the piece of paper I wrote it on, but that much of the number I remember, I think with just that partial number Oreillys or Autozone can hook you up) and it should start up for ya real easy. 3 primes if it's cold, nothing if it's hot. It didn't come with the right plug when I found it in the junk and I doubt that whoever had it changed the plug.

Also, for my engine, I set it at about 1/4 to 1/3 throttle to start it, no more or it floods. Mine will start at idle.

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

It sounds like a great find. I know for sure that you cant beat a free running mower (or at least an engine). Is the plug a J19LM?? I know that type of plug is installed in mine. My neighbor thinks that the B&S engine corp. presets their carbs at the factory (all the same). He thinks that the carb is not set right for this type of climate. Could this be possible??

I did have a Honda self propelled mower with the same issue. My grandmother spent hundreds trying to get it fixed by our local crappy engine mechanic!! She gave it to me because she did not want to deal with it (she bought a new Craftsman shortly after). I looked at it, but it just wouldn't start for anything. I went to our local Ace hardware and looked at their spark plug book (you can look up your mower/ engine models and it shows you what the right plug is). I found that the wrong plug was installed. I installed the new plug and and the unfixable mower fired right up!! I always think it is best to look at the simple solutions first rather than the complicated ones. The repair could be much easier than you think!!

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

you have to have 3 things for it to run, proper spark, proper compression, proper fuel/air mixture. you got spark, and compression, then you know it the carb, or fuel restiction. etc. doesn't matter if it is 2 stroke or 4 stroke.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

Your carb could be set wrong, yes. TD is right, spark and fuel are what you need. Assuming it has compression, everything else is the concern of the engineer who designed the engine. If it has a good strong spark and has good compression, I would certainly look to the carb as the problem.

The plug you need is a Champion RJ19LM. I think its the perfect plug for that engine.

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

I think that the carb is the issue. The mower runs great, it is just annoying to start (knowing that it has not been used that often). I will try adjusting the carb to see if it gets any better.

Thanks

 

[Mark42]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

I have the 18hp 180* opposed Briggs on my Craftsman tractor. Been running hard and long since 1992. Still runs great. Only had to replace the starter, and regular maint like sparkplugs and air filter. Just keep it full of straight 30 oil and its fine. Also clean out the debris from the air shrouds every few years.

I don't think Briggs built a better twin.

See if you an pick up a used one and get that tractor back in service. BTW, those grey square Sears tractors were some of the best they ever sold. Everything is heavy duty.

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

Oh, I know what you mean!! I used to have a '98 Craftsman 46" square front mower that had an 18 HP Kohler Magnum engine. I have always been cautious of Kohlers, but this one ran great(you would barely even turn the key and it would fire right up). I bought it from a guy up in Austin for $100 (it ran, but needed the $30 tie rod replaced). I have always regretted selling it (I made a $500 profit, but that was one good mower)!! The guy I sold it to had an old one with a Briggs in it. He had the mower for 20 years (the transmission went out, and the engine still runs!!) I was suprised to see how well those things are built!! I couldnt imagine one of those things with a Briggs under the hood (it would be unstoppable)!! I would still recommend to avoid one with a single cylinder Kohler (I had a bad experince with a Deere that had one). If you find the right one, I bet this mower will outlast many of Sear's new models of lawn tractors!!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

Why be cautious of Kohlers? Tecumseh is what you need to fear. Kohler is one of the best on the planet.

My dad had a 14hp Kohler on a 1976 John Deere tractor he got after my aunt ran it without oil. Original engine, original everything. It knocked, but it still ran, actually quite good. That is a beast of an engine and has torque values not seen since the Carter administration for small gas engines. My dad put a new piston, conn rod and crank in it and it runs to this day like a new one. I challenge any lawn tractor sold at Lowes or Home depot, no matter what the horsepower, to outpull that beast.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

There is another thing to check. And that is the primer bulb and line. After a few years the bulb will crack and or the primer line gets brittle and comes loose or breaks. Most of them suck fuel from the float bowl through the primer and into the carb intake throat. If it is cracked or loose , engine won't start and if you get it going by other means, it will run like crap. Also if you have rotten gas some of the black rubber lines will go soft like licorice and come off. Some main fuel lines will do it also.

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

Why be cautious of Kohlers? Tecumseh is what you need to fear. Kohler is one of the best on the planet.

My dad had a 14hp Kohler on a 1976 John Deere tractor he got after my aunt ran it without oil. Original engine, original everything. It knocked, but it still ran, actually quite good. That is a beast of an engine and has torque values not seen since the Carter administration for small gas engines. My dad put a new piston, conn rod and crank in it and it runs to this day like a new one. I challenge any lawn tractor sold at Lowes or Home depot, no matter what the horsepower, to outpull that beast.

I fear single cylinder Kohlers because I had a bad experience with one. I used to have a fairly new John Deere LT133 lawn tractor. I took care of it like it was a kid (I tuned it up way before the recommended time, I changed the oil every 15 hrs, etc.) One day I heard it start to knock. A few minutes later I heard a loud bang from the engine, and it died. The engine had thrown a rod, and the cylinder chamber was dry. The engine had somehow ran without oil, even though the crankase was full of it. To this day, I still have no idea why that engine did that. I guess I bought the lemon out of the lot. Anyway, I fully aggree with you about Tecumseh. Just by looking at them, I can see the weird design (they are great engines when they work, but they are a pain in the A%@ to repair)!! I am repairing a Craftsman rear engine rider at the momemt. It has a 10 horse Tecumseh on it. I noticed that:

1) The gas tank is on the other side of the engine (away from the carburetor). Sometimes the engine wont start because there is not enough fuel in the tank to reach the carb (since the fuel line goes all the way under the engine). I am also pointing out the fact that the riding mower engine has an attached gas tank:redface:.

2) The muffler is right next to the carb mounting bolts. Meaning that you have to remove the muffler before you can remove the carb.

3) Tecumsehs have REALLY touchy carburetors. The carburetor components are also weak and jam easily (the inlet needle for example).

Fortunately, Briggs and Stratton and Kohler do not have these problems. Tecumsehs are good engines when they work, but I sure hate working on them!!

 

[CapriRestorer]

Re: Any Small Engine Mechanics out There??

I think the problem with my mower was the way I was priming it. When I prime it slower, it will always start easily on the third prime (like it should). When I do it fast, it is harder to start (I learned that off of my new Pressure washer manual). Speaking of the washer, it has a problem. I bought it refurbished about a month ago from Lowes. It is a TroyBilt 3000 psi pressure washer. It has a Briggs 875 series 8.75 HP OHV engine. The motor does not use gas, it drinks it (it drank 3/4 of the gas in my 2 gal gas can when I pressure washed 2/3 of my driveway [ about a 30ft by 15 ft area]!! Is it consuming a lot of gas because of the size of the engine (adding that it runs at high RPMs regularly), or is there some sort of fuel based problem (or is there a way to increase fuel efficiency?? These gas prices are killing me)