Is Tecumseh still in the small engine business?

[Johndeere3720]

I have never had a Tecumseh engine that actually ran. I have owned Briggs and Honda's that ran and by far the Honda has been the most reliable. I had 3 engines to take apart and learn from, one was a Tecumseh and the other two were Briggs. I started with a Briggs and it was fairly easy to completely take apart by myself. Then I took the Tecumseh apart and found out they used undersized bolts with high torque specs. That was the hardest engine to take apart. The second Briggs came right apart. All three of them had bad rings and little compression. So far my favorite small engine is a Honda.

 

[flusher]

Was helping my step mom choose a new push mower recently, and it seemed that practically every mower I looked at had a Briggs or the Chinese 173cc Kohler engine. The last five pushers I have purchased since 2003--four had a Briggs, and one the imported Kohler. I recall when just about every Craftsman I purchased had a Tecumseh but the last new one I purchased was in '92 !!!

The 14 hp Tecumseh engine on my 1970s vintage Bolens 1453 garden tractor bit the dust recently. I found out that Tecumseh went out of business in Jan 2009. Cost to rebuild that Tecumseh engine was so high that it was a no brainer to replace it with a 14 hp Predator engine (a Honda clone from Tractor Supply--$350). Had to weld up an adapter to get the new engine fitted onto the tube frame, but no big deal, just found weld stock on my scrap pile that worked fine.

 

[Oleozz]

Have a 7 hp Tecumseh engine in my snow blower and it has worked flawlessly for years. It is a great cold weather starting engine and always starts with only a pull or two.

 

[JDgreen227]

I used to buy nothing but Craftsman push mowers with Tek engines and was very happy with them all, the last one I purchased new was back in '89 and it still starts and runs well. My '89 vintage snow blower with the 5 hp Tek Snow King still starts in a pull or two and runs great.

 

[Dana Warner]

I have been a small engine mechanic for well over 20 years. I have always found that any engine lasts in direct relation to the amount of use and proper maintenance. Tecumseh carbs took a bit more time to get right but I saw plenty last 10 or more years. I will wait and see how the Chinese clones last. Getting parts should be fun too.

 

[RandyT]

CPC as mentioned in an earlier post has taken control of Tecumseh and is marketing them now under the name of Lauson engine. They are also the controlling company for LCT engine. I am a Tecumseh/Lauson/LCT engine dealer/service center.

Some of the parts for the older models have gone obsolete, but most repair parts are available without any problems. I believe short blocks are no longer available for people wanting to do that, but in most cases was cheaper to just replace the engine, so no major loss.

 

[5030]

Tecumseh Products, the parent company is long gone from Tecumseh, Michigan. The plant is now a Brownfield redevelopment. All that's left is an R&D center near Ann Arbor and a large empty building in Tecumseh that no one wants. I know many people around here that worked and retired from the 'Products' as it's referred to. Most lost their pensions when the company folded. The owners of the Products got greedy and started selling off divisions and divesting the company and along the way, screwed the employees. It was a good job for the folks around here, who farmed as well. Back in the day, the Products would allow their employees time off for planting and harvest.

Tecumseh Products prime product was refrigeration compressors. The engine division was an acquired company.

Interestingly, I still own an Ariens Rocket, rear tine tiller with an HH Tecumseh engine and a Troy-Bilt with a Tecumseh and both run well but both burn oil, a trait of Tecumseh engines. I just add oil and run 'em.

Not bad motors, just weak oil control rings. The HH on the Ariens had to be replaced early in it's life. One of the screws that secured the butterfly throttle plate came loose and got in the combustion chamber and went through the piston. Excellent quality control.... Now I have a long block with a holed piston on the shelf. I'll sell it someday. I hear the HH engines are no longer available. Someone out there will need one, sometime....

My favorite engine is a Kohler domestic K series thumper with compression release. Nothing beats the sound of a Kohler at idle.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I bought a White snowblower back in '95 and it has a 8 HP Tecumseh engine and I have never had any problems with it.

 

[rgs03833]

I find Tecumseh Engines are easy to work with and long lasting too, too bad to hear that bad News

 

[5030]

I just took a break from tilling up the garden with my trusty Troy-Bilt horse powered by the old Tecumseh. It has to be 25 years young now.

I dread if something inside breaks because parts are getting harder to get every year but I change the oil twice yearly, keep the air filter clean, use fresh mid grade gas and change the plug every 2 years. I do have a spare HH loing block on the shelf if I need it.....

Same goes with my little Troy-bilt. It has a 3 horse Tecumseh and it burns a bit of oil but always starts and is always willing.

I agree good motors, stone easy to work on. Just like a Kohler or Wisconsin.