Small Engine Repair - HELP!

[Wingnut]

thanks Paul (and everyone else)
<font color=blue>You could try to get a warranty swap if you got it at a big chain.</font color=blue>
Yeah ... well ... I did get it at a big chain .... but that was Quality Farm and Fleet .... so I guess I'll find some time, strip it down and see how bad it is ... and likely go the Northern Tool route.
thanks again, all

 

[Molerj]

Wingnut, don't be so quick to forget about the warranty because you bought it farm &
fleet. If this engine isn't very old, it (the engine) is warrantied by Tecumseh. You may want
to check with a local Lawn Mower Repair shop. Pose this question with the engine #'s on
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.perr.com> this link</A>

 

[Wingnut]

thanks Ron!
I bookmarked that and as soon as I get a chance to go out there and look (probably not till Thursday, I'll pull of the serial number and give it a try.

peter

 

[Wingnut]

Small Engine Repair - continued

I'm baaaaack
OK ... first off, I'll have to announce that the eye operation didn't work as well as I first claimed ... guess I'll need to have them checked .... that Tecumseh engine turned out to be one of those Briggs abd Stratton "tecumsehs".
So ... I've [b[finally[/b] found enough time to get at it ... and did a bit of dismantling before I discovered I didn't really need to take off the stuff on top ... sincce the head was on the "front" .... hmmm ... maybe I knwo even less about small engines than I thought.
So .. after several false starts, I finally got the 8 bolts holding the head on ... head came off very clean without disturbing the gasket ... everything looks very clean ... but, obvoiusly, the exhaust valve is the culprit. Let's see if I'm better at explaining than dismantling:
there are two valves evident at the side of the piston, the top one is seated properly, the bottom one is projecting fractionally. When I slowly spin the shhaft, the piston moves up and down fine ... but neither of the valves move. When I slightly pried up the exhaust valve, and turned the shaft, the valves both opened and closed ... at least for one cycle or so. Asz soon as I stopped turning, the exhaust valve settled back to it's "slightly open" position and just "clicked" as the shaft turned. The sound is somewhat similar to the sound a recoil starter makes as it rewinds (you know ... click, click, click, click). So ... I have to assume that the bommon of the shaft is no longer whole ... or that the spring is not seated ... or ...
Anyway ... in order to see the "other end" of the valves ... I guess that would be the connecting rod in a car engine ... what do I need to do ... or is there even any sense in going further?
TIA

peter

 

[cp1969]

Re: Small Engine Repair - continued

It sounds to me like the camshaft or its drive gear may be broken. Probably more cost effective to replace the motor, especially if you're not all that familiar with small engine repair.

It used to be possible to buy what is known as a 'short' block for small engines. In this case you retain the accessories from the dead engine. I don't know if this is possible any more.

You ought to autopsy it, though, just to gain familiarity.

 

[Bird]

Re: Small Engine Repair - continued

Wingnut, if you find the model number on that engine, you can go to Briggs & Stratton's web site and view (or print out) an Illustrated Parts List for just about any of their engines. I've already printed out the parts lists for 3 of my B&S engines.

 

[justractors]

Re: Small Engine Repair - continued

I tried that too but they don't go back far enough for most of my old cast iron engines.

 

[Mike_Dumond]

Re: Small Engine Repair - continued

Don't be so quick to give up. Take a little time, tear it down and you might find that your problem is a simple fix. Also, you might be surprised what Napa can get for parts.

If, after tearing it down, you find that the inside looks like oatmeal, then think about another motor. Either way, it's a learning experience. Only small engine I had to replace had a broken crankcase. Everything else is fixable.

 

[techman]

Re: Small Engine Repair - continued

Wingnut:

I am not sure of the engine size, but a lot of the engines today have a compression release the WILL hold the exhaust valve opened until the engine starts to spin. Maybe something broke, maybe not.

paul

 

[JohnS]

If you end up having to replace the engine, here is another online source. http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/ I found it when looking for a mini-bike engine this spring. I haven't ordered from them yet, but came recommended from a couple of websites.