Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Starter for tecumseh engine
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zzzz1486
10-12-07, 04:23 PM
My starter started smoking today. I keep having trouble starting the lawn tractor today (mtd 13a4662f129) . engine is a tecumesh 13 hp enduro xl/c ohv (OHV130 206820D))
starting last season, the engine would sometimes bounce back as it was trying to start. the engine would crank and then bounce back just a little, maybe 1/16 of a turn as it reached peak compression - judged from viewing top of engine spinning. it got worse and worse. the past couple of months it would bounce back and not start spinning again. the starter gear would remain out, engaged with the flywheel. I would turn the engine a little, past tdc, using my hands on the vent screen on top, the starter gear would disengage. Connections are good, Battery is fine. (does the same thing even with the battery charger on-gives up to 50 amp boost). This is the second starter thats gone bad and the tractors only about 6 years old. the starter cranks the engine fine with the spark plug out. however when trying to do a compression test, the max i was getting was 45psi, because the starter would not turn the engine past that.
Both starter motors ive had seemed to be a little weak for the engine. Is there different starters made for it? Is there one with a little more power avialable? What part number am I looking for ?
Thanks,
Bill
starting last season, the engine would sometimes bounce back as it was trying to start. the engine would crank and then bounce back just a little, maybe 1/16 of a turn as it reached peak compression - judged from viewing top of engine spinning. it got worse and worse. the past couple of months it would bounce back and not start spinning again. the starter gear would remain out, engaged with the flywheel. I would turn the engine a little, past tdc, using my hands on the vent screen on top, the starter gear would disengage. Connections are good, Battery is fine. (does the same thing even with the battery charger on-gives up to 50 amp boost). This is the second starter thats gone bad and the tractors only about 6 years old. the starter cranks the engine fine with the spark plug out. however when trying to do a compression test, the max i was getting was 45psi, because the starter would not turn the engine past that.
Both starter motors ive had seemed to be a little weak for the engine. Is there different starters made for it? Is there one with a little more power avialable? What part number am I looking for ?
Thanks,
Bill
cheese
10-13-07, 12:33 AM
I'm guessing the valves haven't been adjusted in quite some time?
I think you're burning the starter up trying to turn an engine over with too much compression for the little starter to handle. It has compression release, but when the valves get a little too loose, the compression release is rendered inoperable. This makes the engine too hard to turn. The valves should be adjusted yearly...so give that a check before shelling out good $$ for a new starter. The fact that it smoked may mean it's too late, but give it a shot.
I think you're burning the starter up trying to turn an engine over with too much compression for the little starter to handle. It has compression release, but when the valves get a little too loose, the compression release is rendered inoperable. This makes the engine too hard to turn. The valves should be adjusted yearly...so give that a check before shelling out good $$ for a new starter. The fact that it smoked may mean it's too late, but give it a shot.
zzzz1486
10-13-07, 01:01 PM
Thanks cheese,
I thought that the compression release may be off, so thats why I put a compression tester on there while trying to start it. It only regestered 30 psi the first time it bounced back, 45psi after the second time.
actually something that might be helpful, last year it would sometimes give one loud bang after being shut off. hasnt done that this year.
How would I adjust the valves? What gaskets would I need to replace when doing so?
Thanks,
Bill
I thought that the compression release may be off, so thats why I put a compression tester on there while trying to start it. It only regestered 30 psi the first time it bounced back, 45psi after the second time.
actually something that might be helpful, last year it would sometimes give one loud bang after being shut off. hasnt done that this year.
How would I adjust the valves? What gaskets would I need to replace when doing so?
Thanks,
Bill
cheese
10-14-07, 01:29 AM
Just a valve cover gasket. I put the engine just a tad past TDC and set the valve clearances to specs. I don't have the specs for your engine on hand, but can get them for you once I get to my books.
Square Head
10-14-07, 07:19 PM
Thats how I adjusted my valves as well. A touch past TDC and both for my Techcemsee were .005-.010" for range.
they are pretty tight-be careful.
they are pretty tight-be careful.
puey61
10-16-07, 02:38 PM
The overhead valve Tecumseh's clearances are set at .004".
zzzz1486
10-20-07, 02:56 PM
Well, I took the hood/front body off, and then the valve cover. The rocker arms and springs are exposed. The only way to adjust looks like the bolt through the middle of the rocker arm, with a nut on it before it goes into the engine. The engine is at TDC (using a pencil in the sparkplug hole). How do i measure the valve clearence? Do use the feeler guage between the rocker arm and the end of the valve? On a search of the internet, i found one site that said measure the valve clearence when the piston is 1/4'' past TDC. Should I adjust it at TDC or 1/4'' past?
Currently with the engine at TDC, there is a .005 clearence between the rocker arm and end of the intake valve, and a .004 clearence on the exhaust.
1/4" past TDC .005 clearence on intake, .003 exhaust
Could someone please help me with where to go from here? I haven't adjusted valves before.
Currently with the engine at TDC, there is a .005 clearence between the rocker arm and end of the intake valve, and a .004 clearence on the exhaust.
1/4" past TDC .005 clearence on intake, .003 exhaust
Could someone please help me with where to go from here? I haven't adjusted valves before.
cheese
10-21-07, 02:39 AM
Sounds like you've got the correct clearances. You'd adjust at the end of the rocker arm where it meets the push-rod. The set screw and lock nut is where you adjust. Odd that the clearances would be spot on if they've never been adjusted before, but it was worth looking into anyway.
Apparently you have either a bad compression release, bad starter, corroded battery connections and/or cables, and/or fuel leaking into the cylinder when the engine is not running.
Apparently you have either a bad compression release, bad starter, corroded battery connections and/or cables, and/or fuel leaking into the cylinder when the engine is not running.
CAMINO KID
10-21-07, 07:06 PM
you set them at 1/4 past tdc. It sounds like your compression release is not working. you should see a slight movement when you turn the engine over by hand with the plug released as the engine is coming up on the compression stroke after the intake valve closes. Most engines do this on the exhaust valve and some others on the intake valve. The 1/4 is to insure you are not still on the compression release part of the compression stroke. The compression release is on the cam shaft and you will have to pull the engine and remove the base to get the cam shaft out. Most of the time when the compression release is not working it is due to the spring breaking or coming unhooked. With a good ground directly to the engine and a battery jumper cable to the positive post if the battery and the other end you touch the starter post and spin the engine the same speed as with the switch. if not you have a voltage drop in the system somewhere.