Subtopic	Posts		Updated
	Archive through August 22, 2001	5

By Ray carriere on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I was wondering if anyone has had problems with
starting with an early 80's agro with the 16
HP tecumseh.I have changed the carb because the
old one was warn out.I thought that would have
corrected the problem but it did help somewhat
but hasn't totally rectified the problem.
I have checked the compression and it is good.
I talked to a small engine dealer who told me that it was possibly timing or a coil problem.
Timing is non adjustable and i don't know if the
motor has ever been apart to see if the cam is timed properly to the crank.
The coil is suppose to fire btc and atc when starting to aid in starting.Anyone know how to test this coil to see if it firing at top dead center.
This machine has always been a real pain to start
cold or hot.Once running, it has lots of power and runs smooth as a kitten.
Anyone have any suggestions.

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Ray, I'm really not an engine guy, but I've taken in and resold a few max with Tecumseh engines. If you are talking about hard to turn over (will barely crank with a fully charged battery), I was told by my small engine guy that it can be one of two problems. (1) There is a built in decompression switch that fails and is time consuming to replace (2) the valves are adjusted too tight. The ones they worked on for me, they played with the valves and got them to start easily.

Just something else to consider.

By ISAAC EISENMAN (Tropicjungleboy) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

hey ray...

what's exactly the problem with the engine???

a) hard to turn or

b) fast turning without start

if is "hard to turn" did you consider to check electric starter conections and/or internal inspection??

to check timming just put a timming lamp and mark clutch on top piston with spark plug removed and scredriver thru hole to check coil the easy way is to replace with a 6 volt one......sometimes it's getting blue spark but on continuous duty just fails!!!.....

By Ray Carriere on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks for the info guys.What happens is that the
motor turns over just fine but it will not start
unless i pull the choke and turn it over for a
bit then release the choke and open the throttle
and turn it over once again.
Hot or cold,it acts the same.I am getting enough
fuel to the carb and when it starts you can see
due to the black smoke that the engine was flooded
Once she is running, the machine runs just fine and has lots of power,idles smooth.
It just seems to be the starting end of it.
Anyone have any ideas????

By mike martindale (Wetsu) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

ray,here is an old trick we used to do when i worked in the oilfield....pull your #1 plug,leave it attached to the plugwire,find a place on the engine to ground it.then put your finger over the plug hole,( you might neede some help with this next part).turn over the engine,when piston reaches tdc you will feel a pop on your finger and see a brite blue spark at the plug.if these things happen then your engine should be timed correctly.if you don't see a spark or the spark is barely visable then chances are your coil is weak. and after rereading your post,you should acually see 2 sparks 1 before and 1 after.hope this helps.