Robbin 22hp Engine

   / Robbin 22hp Engine #21  
I have a 422 with a Robin engine and I live in western Pa. and I keep my pt in an unheated garage. I have almost 1,300 hours on mine and I have never had any work done to the engine other than changing spark plugs I think it is a good dependable engine. When the temp. gets down around 10 degrees I put a magnetic heater on the oil tank and leave it plugged in all the time and very seldom have I had any problem starting if the battery is fully charged and the spark plugs are good. My 422 is almost 8 years old and it still has the original battery.
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine
  • Thread Starter
#22  
MR,
It cranks pretty good, it just does not fire up right away, and then it ends up draining the battery.

Ponytug,
I am going to investigate more on the carb, I really think there is the problem.

It will take a long time before I give up. It is that I have not had an engine give me this much trouble with starting, gas odor, run on, etc., it all starts to build up and drain a mans attitude down. Especially when you need to clear snow and haul firewood.

The concept of the PT is a good one at a good price, but if the engine will not start...well then, it is just one Jimungus Paper Weight.

Which brings up something else that has been discussed (this time on the Power Trac side) and that is the FEL.

If the engine does not start and you have to push / pull to load it up on a trailer or truck, it is not going to be easy when the FEL has floated down to the ground. And that does not even take into consideration of if you can remember where that screw is to relieve the hydro pressure.

Keep bringing the ideas and suggestions, I really appreciate you guys on this forum.

I will keep you all informed on the the plight of the "Robin", maybe it will help someone down the road that visits here.
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine
  • Thread Starter
#23  
Wow!

Ernemats,
You definitely have one in a million as far as the info put out on this forum. I think you have an "exception to the rule".

I hope it continually gives you great service.
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine #24  
ldabe said:
Ponytug,

BobRip, I may try and find a way to keep the hydro oil warm, but if I just do the tank will it also warm what is going through the hoses?

The heat will flow out towards everything, I do not have enough experience using the heater to say it will help. While working on my last problem, I did use a 400 watt heater for about 2 hours, but I also pulled the plugs and heated them with a propane torch. Just the heat did not work. Of course by this point the plugs were coated with gasoline and few engines will start in that situation.
I am sorry that you are having this problem and I do feel that PT should correct it. But as been said, they are not very reponsive.
I wonder if there is something specifically wrong with our PTs. Mine was built in 2000. When was yours?
I have made the starter upgrade and the ignition coil upgrade.

Also have you discussed this with Robin. The guy I talked to just seemed to think it was Power Trac's fault. It was also suggested to me that I change to synthetic oil, which I had already done.
Again this has not been a big issue for me since I have a very warm garage.

Now to a solution. We as a group need to find a way to correct this. We have a lot of very knowledgeable people, probably more and better than on Power Trac's staff. I would like to hear some constructive comments.
My first though (just a thought): Would it help if you first cranked the engine over without the choke? This would give the plugs a chance to warm up a little.

Second thought: Both our engines have a smell of gasoline. I did not see any leaks. Could it be that the float needle valve is leaking, the bowl fills up, and then when you turn the key on the fuel solenoid opens and floods the engine? This looks feasible from the drawing on page 47 of the engine manual. If some engines are OK, then it may be a specific engine problem and not a design flaw.
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine #25  
I have a PT422 year 2002 vintage. I have also done the coil, plug and starter upgrade. It would not start easily under 40 F without this upgrade! It did okay down to 20 F without heat until earlier this winter. I was having a hard time starting, replaced the spark plugs (they only had 150 -200 hours on them) and it made a world of difference. The choke will flood the engine pretty quickly. The first 5 second crank is full choke. The second crank is with the choke backed off, it then usually starts. If I don't back off on the choke, I get backfire big time and no start. I have the throttle set at 3/4's until it starts, and then back down.

I do run Mobil 1 5W-30 in the engine which does help as well. The Kohlers have a compression release on start, the Robins do not. I think this helps the Kohlers alot.

Under 20 F, I use two magnetic block heaters on the hydraulic tank and a 35,000 btu/hour K1 torpedo heater pointed into the engine tub. This works pretty well. Just have to realize that you can't start the tractor easily on the spur of the moment.
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine #26  
My experience over the past 8 years of pt ownership, for cold weather starting is to put a new set of spark plugs in before cold weather arrives. Even though the plugs look good I have replaced them and it seems to make a world of difference in starting in cold weather.
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine #27  
On my Kohler in cold weather I start with these settings:
- Full throttle.
- Full choke.
- Start cranking.
- Decrease the choke as I crank and it fires at about half choke.
- Decrease the throttle to about half and let it run there while I hand shovel a few tight spots.
- Listen for the engine to start to sputter and turn the choke all the way off.
- Let it run for a few more minutes to warm the hydraulics.

On the Robins, most of you have gone to different plugs and a few have different starters. Most of the problems seem to be fuel related. And most of those seem to be too rich. So you need to add more air. Maybe try cranking with half throttle, no choke and increase choke as you crank.

Has anyone tried just a small 1/2 second shot of starting fluid and then cranking with no throttle and no choke? It should pop instantly then die. That would tell you if it had spark at least. Then give it only half throttle and experiment with the choke settings.

I have a pull start 8.5HP Briggs that just will not start in warm weather. I give it just a squirt, no more, of startig fluid and off it goes every time. I also nad a 76 GMC with a 454 that needed it when the temps got below -10F. If used properly and before the plugs get coated with gas, it usually works.

I know starting fluid can damage an engine if use in excess, so take it easy. If one squirt doesn't do it, more probably own't help. But it is a good tool to get you going if used properly and no one has mentioned its use yet.
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine
  • Thread Starter
#28  
Just have time for a quick comment.

This is why this site is so great with a bunch of great guys (don't know if there are girls) that are willing to let the info fly!

I do not have the time/opportunity at the moment to try some of the things mentioned above...but let me assure you that I will as soon as possible.

With 1 full time job and two businesses time is in great demand.
But I am looking forward to 'plucking and primping' the "Robin's" wings to see if I can get her to start 'flapping'.

Thanks again guys for all the help you provide on this site...and I hope anyone else with a "rant and a wrench" will feel free to pipe in.
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine
  • Thread Starter
#29  
Whoops!
BobRip,
Mine is a 2003 (with two cylinders for the articulating) and approx 315 hours on it.
I replaced the sparkplugs (type? forget) before winter, and in the summer I also had to replace the ignition coils (don't know if they were an "upgrade" part or just a replacement).
I have not made a starter change or upgrade (as far as I know it is the original, I am the 2nd owner).
 
   / Robbin 22hp Engine #30  
ldabe said:
Just have time for a quick comment.

This is why this site is so great with a bunch of great guys (don't know if there are girls) that are willing to let the info fly!

I do not have the time/opportunity at the moment to try some of the things mentioned above...but let me assure you that I will as soon as possible.

With 1 full time job and two businesses time is in great demand.
But I am looking forward to 'plucking and primping' the "Robin's" wings to see if I can get her to start 'flapping'.

Thanks again guys for all the help you provide on this site...and I hope anyone else with a "rant and a wrench" will feel free to pipe in.
I have an old 3 1/2 hp lawn mower motor that hadn't been started for around ten years. I put a new spark plug in it and fresh gas in the tank pulled to start it and it wouldn't start , squirted a squirt of wd40 in the carb pulled the starter and it fired right up. I have did that on other engines with the same results but I wouldn't guarentee it for others. That is just what I do.
 

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