update on demise of the robin..or why i would never purchase a robin engine.

[gotago]

Over one month later and still no tractor. A pin that regulates oil pressure in the pump sheared and unregulated oil pressure blows the seals...this after much analysis. apparently the part to be replaced is behind the flywheel and the mechanic is unble to remove the flywheel. Calls to Subaru are to no avail. They will not replace a warrentied engine, only repair. I could be waiting along time. Under no circumstances would I purchase another product with a robin engine, make my next one a kohler.

 

[SnowRidge]

Spend a hundred bucks, or maybe a little more, and talk to an attorney.

 

[Marks481]

Too bad JackRobin hasn't been here in a while... but you might try calling Suburu and ask to talk to him (Jack Gawecki). Maybe he can give you a hand.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/96165-how-we-doing.html#post1093101

This is definitely not the sort of PR that Robin or PT should be interested in spreading. Have you called Terry and tried to see if PT will lean on them a little bit?

 

[gotago]

I haven't spoken with Terry in over a month, I should. PT is pretty specific on the engine being covered by the manufacturer. Subaru has trouble shot this to death. I'll call them this week and give you guys an update. I'm all about trouble shooting, but there come a time when you have to cough up a new engine. It's past that time with me.

 

[Central_PA_Chris]

Just a month? You are still doing well. My first engine failure repair (governor and rear main seal took 3+ months) it's still spitting some oil back onto the airfilter. Dropped it off in early May for that issue. Since then I've had it back for about a week to trouble shoot/do a head to head with another PT, now it's back in. Robin says if valves are not correct they can get funky when engine is hot and cause yet more heating and cause oil spitting back. Shop promises to play with valves this week, then I'm back to my hydraulic issue troubleshooting.

 

[gotago]

Here's the latest and greatest. After anticipating picking up my beloved PT monday, I was dissappointed yet again. I spoke with the repair facility today and they claimed to be waiting for a part, (flywheel). I then spoke with Terry at PT and then with Sub/Robin. Subaru/Robin had shipped the part Friday and the part was signed for at the repair facility ....yesterday. A quick phone call back and the facility swore that they just received it despite confirmation by both subaru and UPS on the previous days delivery. They still must bench check the Robin, then install. The latest and greatest cause for delay and the smoke is a blown crankshaft seal. Love the PT, hate the Robin, will definately reengine with a kohler when this one blows. The repair facility has been slow, Robin has been disinterested...to pt's credit Terri is about as ticked as i am and is willing to pitch in to help.

 

[BobRip]

Terri is about as ticked as i am and is willing to pitch in to help.

Ticked yes, but what will he and PT do? Threaten to quite using Robin engines because of slow repairs, for example, forcing Robin to give you a brand new engine. Give you a new engine from PT's stock. Pull a part off of one of their engines and send it to the repair place. None of the above.

Sorry I have a lot of respect for Terri, but I get tired of companies apologizing for bad service and not really correcting the situation.

I hope this is fixed soon.

 

[gotago]

Your entirely right Bob. PT's choice of engine obviously goes to the lowest bidder. For the time being that be subaru. I'll deal with Subaru and the warranty repair facility for now. I look forward to the expiration of the subaru warranty when I can take the PT to a repair shop that I know and trust. Should have just eaten the cost this time around and taken it there. For anyone in north central PA...that would be Johnsons small engine repair between Knoxville and Westfield PA, they maintain all my other equipment and I have always had top knotch, timely, reasonably priced service.

 

[SnowRidge]

Just a month? You are still doing well. My first engine failure repair (governor and rear main seal took 3+ months) it's still spitting some oil back onto the airfilter. Dropped it off in early May for that issue. Since then I've had it back for about a week to trouble shoot/do a head to head with another PT, now it's back in. Robin says if valves are not correct they can get funky when engine is hot and cause yet more heating and cause oil spitting back. Shop promises to play with valves this week, then I'm back to my hydraulic issue troubleshooting.

Checking and setting the valve lash on a two cylinder engine should be no more than a ten minute job. If the valves are too tight, it may run hot, but you will have other more serious problems. The valves will not seat properly and they will burn, especially the exhaust valve.

If the engine was in the shop previously for any major work, especially if the heads were off, the shop should have checked and set the valves then.

 

[Gravy]

Adjusting valves on the Robin in the PT is complicated by the fact that there is no access to turn the engine over by hand. I did mine by "bumping" with the starter after pulling the plugs. I used a soda straw down a plug hole to indicate TDC. I found that the exhaust valves were slightly loose and the intakes were quite tight. Since adjusting them, it starts more easily and backfires less.