well, once again......the 2166 can't run hot

Mojoman · Jun 21, 2005

well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

so.......I'm considering asking the dealer to take this back and get a different tractor. What would be the equivalent to this 2166? And would I still be able to use the 42" snowthrower on the new one?
I talked to the owner on the phone just a little while ago, and told him what was going on, he said it sounds like the fuel pump, and so I also brought up the magneto and fuel filter as possible causes. I'm sure he'd rather just fix this one, but I'm getting sick of this thing not running. It's brand new for god's sake!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

MrWiggles2 · Jun 22, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

The '04 2180 is the same with a V-twin Vanguard, the '05 is the 2042 with a V-twin Kohler. All are identical to yours the '05 having the cast iron tranny.

Keep on your dealer to resolve the problem, you've got a good tractor.

Mojoman · Jun 22, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

I'd like to believe it's a good tractor, and it probably is, but it's just frustrating that I'd have the same problem again and again with a new unit. I doubt he'll go for a return/trade-in without wanting some cash, which puts me in a predicament as I have no more money to put into this deal. So, I guess I'm probably going to have to just let them try to fix it again..... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

hds2165 · Jun 22, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

Well I am not familiar with your original problem, but I have a "94" HDS 2165 with a 16hp Briggs Vanguard V twin. I was having a similar problem, where it would stop running when it got hot. Mine would happen after about an hour of cutting grass, it would either just start running ruff and die, or it would just shut off like it does when you turn the key off. Try this next time, as the mower starts to shut down, pull the choke. If this keeps the motor running, your carb is set to lean, and you need to richen your air fuel screw. After 2 years of dealing with this problem and trying every thing I could think of to solve it, I traced it down to a fuel delivery problem (after pulling the choke). I have my air/fuel needle screw set at 2 1/4 turns out, and it has been running great for over two seasons now. Of corse after I solved my problem, I was talking to a mechanic and he said its common (as he put it, on Briggs & scrap iron) to have the air/fuel screw out over 2 turns.

I hope this helps!

Dennisfly · Jun 22, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

I have 2166 I bought used. It sat for about a year and had 25 hours on it. The first time I ran it, it ran for 45 minutes and then just stopped. Restarted after it cooled off. I replaced the fuel filter. The new one was from the dealer and what was called for but it was substantially larger than the one it replaced. I have run it twice since the new filter and no repeat of the problem. It might be worth a try!

JTKub · Jun 22, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

Mojo, I'd try to kick this up a knotch at this point. You have a new machine with a manufacturers warranty. IIRC, you've been to several dealers now with the same repeated problem. Stay calm, cool and collected with your dealership & ask for them to speak with a CC/MTD rep on your behalf. Get names/numbers for your records. I'm sure your dealership(s) want to make this right, but just cant find the source of the problem! They should swap this machine out with a comparable unit at no additional cost to you. Contact your local BBB if you need to. Don't let this go any longer!!
G/luck
Joel

Outlander1 · Jun 22, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

If that has a carb with the viton float valve, that is no doubt your problem. I have fixed three of those Briggs V twins with those exact symptoms and you have to replace the float needle and/or the seat depending on your type. It may look OK but it's junk. They seem to deform at the seal line if they sit for a long period with gas in the bowl. Then they start sticking usually when they are hot. Valve stuck shut, no gas, no run. To prevent this drain the bowl if it is going to be idle for a period. This keeps the valve open. Your dealer should know this. Best thing to do is fix it yourself. Stuff sent to the dealer usually comes back the same or worse.

Mojoman · Jun 22, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

JT, I really appreciate your empathy with me on this, you definitely make a great cheering section /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I'm taking it back tomorrow, I spoke with the owner and even mentioned a swap out for a new ('05) machine and he said the comparable machine would be the LT2042. However, that being said, I'm sure he would want me to make up the difference in price which I am not in a position to do at this point. I will ask him in the morning about a swap out for a different 2166, but because it's older, am I going to run into problems with that? I would imagine he would much rather just fix it, but you make a good point about stepping it up a notch.

outlander, I don't know if the briggs are the same as the kohler single cyl that I have, but I know that this dealer's repair shop had the carb apart the second time I had it in and did a thorough cleaning (or that's what they said) and the first time in, they said it was the inlet valves (is this what you are referring to?) This time, the owner was saying it sounds like the fuel pump. I'm sure he's just guessing at this point, thinking that he can convince me they can fix it. With the hot weather we're expecting tomorrow, I don't think they'll have any trouble getting it to act up, as it seems the hotter it is, the quicker it dies.

MrWiggles2 · Jun 22, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

I think you're going about it all right. Fact is, there are a lot of things that could be causing it. My father has a generator with a Robin engine. The engines were tested with fuel and shipped. I guess the fuel in the carb varnished. His generator would run 15 minutes then sputter and stall. It would restart, run another 5 or so minutes, sputter and stall. Turns out, the carb was gummed up they told him. A new carb cured the problem. That is probably what will need to happen for you. Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hds2165 · Jun 23, 2005

Re: well, once again......the 2166 can\'t run hot

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If that has a carb with the viton float valve, that is no doubt your problem. )</font>

How can I tell if carb has this viton float valve?

I have a "94" 16hp Briggs vanguard V twin, right now it runs good with the air/fuel screw set at 2 1/4 turns out. But if it starts acting up again and I have this viton float valve, I will replace it first before I start trouble shooting. This could of been my problem before, because it sits most of the winter with gas in the float bowl. I have a 2 stage walk behind snow thrower and don't use the tractor much in the winter.