Cold Weather Starting

[PABenz]

I have the Robbins 22hp that has about 450hours on it and starts all the time, in all weather. I did have to charge or jump the battery the first few winters, but I got a trickle charger at Moss's requests and have not had an issue since. I keep that plugged in all winter. Good luck and way to go Steelers.

 

[Red Zebra]

Last I checked, about $6.00 a quart, or $24.00 a gallon.

Here in TN (at Wal-Fart) Mobil, Castrol, etc come in 5 qt jugs for about $19.00 -23.00 per, or about $4 a quart....
Pricey still..... =( .
FWIW...my 425 will not start when the temp is 30 or lower. I usually turn the torpedo heater on it for about 15 minutes while I tinker on other things in the barn and she readily turn over.

 

[washita]

same problem with 425 summer and winter lot of time troubleshooting, final conclusion was water in fuel line. of interesting note though, starts with choke only at idle only.

 

[AndrewB]

My PT since day one in 04' has ALWAYS had difficulty and struggles starting in the cold below 35-40degrees. I have gas powered engine, Robin, PT 425. Are there any heater's dipstick or magnetic other than a electric heater that I can help solve this issue. I'm tired of jump starting and worn out batteries below the listed temperatures.
Thanks for suggestions

I have a 425 with Subaru/Robins engine and have also struggled mightily with cold weather starting. Being in Iowa, it's a fact of life that the tractor must start if it's going to be of use. We've been down to 0 to -20 F for many days, both this year and last. My tractor is in an unheated shed.

Magnetic heaters won't work because the engine block is aluminum. Heated adhesive pads probably won't work (at least I was advised against it) because the aluminum fins don't offer much surface area.

I took the suggestions of many folks on this forum last year and had 100% success this winter by doing the following:
(1) Cover engine compartment with a thick blanket, excepting the rear grill where
(2) a 1500 W electric space heater blows into the engine compartment for at least 2 hours.
(3) 600 W magnetic oil pan heater under hydraulic fluid reservoir for several hours.

The obvious drawback of this is that the space heater is a potential fire hazard. I bought one at the farm and home store for $18 - it's housing doesn't get warm to the touch anywhere. Also, I've been very careful about how it's set-up, what it sits on, keeping it from falling over, making sure it doesn't touch the blanket, etc. After being extremely cautious at first, I've gotten to the point where I put them on a timer at night and MAGIC, it's ready to go in the morning!

Again, I've had no problems at all. Hopefully it will help you.

 

[ldabe]

It has been awhile since I last posted on the Robin Russian Roulette.

A few weeks back I changed the spark plugs (one grayish, one blackish), changed the inline gas filter, cleaned the carborator (checked for debris and blew out with air), cleaned battery posts and terminals, and charged battery.

Started fine. Used once after this to clear some snow, and to move some things around, about 40 minutes of work.

Went out 3 days ago to move a couple trailers around, move some dirt to and stone to driveway, and low and behold the "Robin Russian Roulette" kicked in again! When the engine plays this game, you never know when it is going to "get the bullet" and die.

The sputter started and within 20 seconds the engine died.

Cranked back up after a few seconds, then I had to continue to play with the choke to get it back to the garage. It died twice on the way back, but was able to finally get it parked inside.

I have not had time yet to check the condition of the spark plugs, or anything else for that matter. Hope to get to it this weekend.

Anyone else have this problem, or have suggestions, pleeeeeeeeese, feel free to jump in.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Phils]

"playing with the choke" indicates to me that the fuel flow is insufficient.

You've changed the filter. It's not hot enought for vaporlock. I'll put my wager on a piece of krp in the carb, as I've been there done that.

The good thing is that the carb is easily removed and disassembled. Clean/blow out the passages and reassemble.

Phil

 

[SnowRidge]

"playing with the choke" indicates to me that the fuel flow is insufficient.

You've changed the filter. It's not hot enought for vaporlock. I'll put my wager on a piece of krp in the carb, as I've been there done that.

The good thing is that the carb is easily removed and disassembled. Clean/blow out the passages and reassemble.

Phil

Do the same thing to the fitting on the bottom of the tank. These are known to crud up and give the same symptoms. I had to run a piece of wire up mine to clear it.

It's probably a whole lot easier to clear the fitting than it is to work on the carb. I know it is on a Kohler. That is where I would go first, unless I knew for certain that it was clear. It just takes a small bit debris to hose things up.

Good luck with it.

 

[BobRip]

Do the same thing to the fitting on the bottom of the tank. These are known to crud up and give the same symptoms. I had to run a piece of wire up mine to clear it.

It's probably a whole lot easier to clear the fitting than it is to work on the carb. I know it is on a Kohler. That is where I would go first, unless I knew for certain that it was clear. It just takes a small bit debris to hose things up.

Good luck with it.

I had the same think on mine.

 

[ldabe]

Thanks for the quick suggestions.

I will try and get to it this weekend, and report back on how it runs.

Thanks again.

 

[ldabe]

Upon removing the plastic elbow at the bottom of the gas tank to check for debris, I removed what looked like a small piece of "pipe tape", about 3/16 long.

But also there is a perfectly fitted round piece of ??? (tin foil) with an image of a woman with a pitcher over her head pouring something out, and the words "GiaComini" and "Made in Italy" down inside the plastic elbow fitting.

Is this suppose to be in there?

What is it?

When I took a Q-tip to clean out the inside of the plastic elbow fitting, along with the "pipe tape", this round "tin foil" ??? also came out.

Anyone know what I am talking about?