It's cold out there....

[JackRobin]

It\'s cold out there....

Hello Guys,

I wasn't very active on the board lately and I'd like to apologize for it.

I know it's cold out there at the moment, just wanted to see how your Robin engines are performing.
Do you have any questions/concerns? I'll be more than happy to help. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Regards,

Jack Gawecki
Robin America, Inc.
Technical Support Dept.
800-277-6246

 

[ernemats]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

Jack:
Its good to see you back,. Any tips you can give us on cold weather starting? My 422 gets a little hard to start when temp. gets below 15 degrees, after it has run for a few minutes it runs fine.
Ernie

 

[johara1]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

i read in the manual that robin sends with the engine that if the gas tank is installed above the engine that it should have a fuel shutoff installed or carb. flooding will result.could this be some of the problem on starting? at about 15 degrees it's has to have heat to start,if not and you choke it with out heat it floods ,the new plugs you mentioned are soaked. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[JackRobin]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

I think both of you Gentleman are experiencing a problem most likely not related to the engine. We have addressed all the hard starting issues by providing:

-new heavy duty starting motor
-hotter spark plugs
-new improved ignition coils

IMO, the problem presists in the hydraulic system, in such low temperature the hydraulic oil gets thicker and creates an extra force for the engine to turn over faster than 310 cranking rpms.
If you don't get 310rpm during cranking the coils are not picking up the signal to send to the plugs and this fuel never gets ignited.

If you could measure the starting rpm's of the engine and post the results here, on the board I will try to see if I can help.

Regards,

Jack Gawecki
Robin America, Inc.
Technical Support Dept.
800-277-6246

 

[JackRobin]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( i read in the manual that robin sends with the engine that if the gas tank is installed above the engine that it should have a fuel shutoff installed or carb. flooding will result.could this be some of the problem on starting? at about 15 degrees it's has to have heat to start,if not and you choke it with out heat it floods ,the new plugs you mentioned are soaked. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )</font>

This carburetor is already supplied with fuel shut off solenoid and it is not necessary to get anything extra.
If the fuel tank is mounted on top of the engine, within 2-3 feet from the fuel pump there should be no problem.

Regards,

Jack Gawecki
Robin America, Inc.
Technical Support Dept.
800-277-6246

 

[NJBill]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

Jack, I've ben reading back issues of various posts to fully associate myself with PT's. This one caught my eye because you mentioned the PT422.and I'm trying to move my thinking from the PT180 up a little, but $ signs keep trying to blur my vision.
However, I bought my 924 Ariens Snow Blower with electric start, which I would not be without, it's very simple, and very rewarding to hear that engine roar into life, that's a 110v AC starter. Anything in the works for the PT engines ? There is a big plastic handle with a rope attached also, never use it.
Just a thought !

 

[MossRoad]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

Yeah, my dad had a little 3HP snow thrower with an AC starter. You could crank that thing up in a hurry. I wonder, however, how many amps an AC starter would have to draw to spin up a 20+hp motor.

Also, another thing to consider is compression release. Some small engines and motorcycles had this. There is little compression on the engine while the starter turns it. Then, once there is ignition in the cylinder, the compression closes the compression release valve and off it goes.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

<font color="red"> I wonder, however, how many amps an AC starter would have to draw to spin up a 20+hp motor.
</font>
Actually, if you have 120V RMS, the AC starter will draw one tenth the amperage of the 12V starter to deliver the same power. It should work fine if you have a way to connect it to the crankshaft and the machine is always within reach of the 120V AC.
A while back, I think it may have been Pajoube who mentioned using a 24V hotshot. Unless there is something other than the starter motor exposed to the increased voltage, it seems to me that would be the easiest answer. Anyone using one regularly? That would result in an initial high-amp spike, but once turning, the back RMF would lower it, and the same cranking power would actually require less amperage than with the 12V.

 

[dpotter]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

If you had Amsoil in the hydraulic system and the motor, then the motor would turn over fast enough to start.

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[duane]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

Although I'm not sure why, I remember Jack saying that Robin does not recommend synthetic oil in their engines. Jack could you elaborate why Robin does not recommend synthetic oil.

Duane

 

[FOURTEEN]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

.



Do you have Amsoil in your PT, or is that just a recomendation???

If yes, exactly what type and weight do you use??

In engine?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

In hydraulic?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif



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[johara1]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

jack, i didn't have any way to check start rpm,but i did a simple test.i pulled the sparkplug wires off and attached them to new plugs and hit the key no fire! i then started the torpedo heater in about ten min. they would spark.
Terry told me this tractor had the big starter installed.i've since put in the hotter plugs you said about,the only thing left would be the coils. the temp. i did this little test was 10 degrees /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

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/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Maybe Robin can sell more replacement parts and engines that way!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif



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[J_J]

Re: It\'s cold out there....

MR Potter

Do you own a pt or any tractor. I had asked for recommendations before on the correct oil that you would run in the pt's and you never responded.

J.J.