Vanguard Engine Issues

[Lee Stockwell]

Yep, you da man!

 

[Lee Stockwell]

One for quick and dirty testing. Both, for balance, if you use them longer term.

 

[dgardner]

Lee, do you have to rotate the clutch around until the little cutouts line up with tapped holes in the pulley?

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Yes

 

[Don336]

Thanks guys. I'll give it a shot tomorrow. For some reason I have to let the engine sit over night before it will start again. It's acting like it isn't getting any fire or flooded.

 

[rwcarpet]

Just curious.....did you check for vac leak in the intake system? That will cause the symtems that you have described. Runs pretty good with choke closed and riching out the engine, bogs and stumbles when you open the choke. That's my experience.

 

[Don336]

Would a faulty pulsation dampener help contribute to my issues? I installed a new one right around the time this all started. Just a thought.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Would a faulty pulsation dampener help contribute to my issues?

Unlikely, its only affects the pressure system.

Not unless you knocked a wire loose in doing so. Then I suppose it could be grounding it and killing the unit when you flip the switch. ???

 

[dgardner]

Thanks guys. I'll give it a shot tomorrow. For some reason I have to let the engine sit over night before it will start again. It's acting like it isn't getting any fire or flooded.

Sounds like you have multiple issues....

 

[Don336]

Doesn't anyone know of a good reasonable mechanic in Raleigh or someone at Sunbelt that may do some side work?

 

[Captain America]

I have had 3 air cooled engines go out on me all 25 hp kholers.
They lasted 1600-2800 hours depending on what kind of oil you put in and how often you change the oil.
Also if you run them full throttle or less??
I changed to generac 33 hp for about 2000$ and it seems to be doing fine so far.
You will get different opinions on this board, but if you are running full throttle 2500-3000 hours is max for air cooled especially Briggs or honda.
All those engines are rated at max no. Of reps per lifetime, hence full throttle will accumulate more reps per hour, same as a car engine????

 

[GeneMiller]

The magneto Could be going bad. Usually backfire is caused from to lean of a carburetor.

Gene

 

[Don336]

I took it to a small engines guy in town. I was there while he was doing the diagnostics. He said the engine has good compression and the carb isn't bad or needed rebuilding. One of the cylinders wasn't getting fire and the other had a really weak spark. He said the magnetos needs to be replaced. His theory was that when I over filled with oil it leaked and had weakened the connection on one and killed the other. He said the carb i have is good just needs cleaning. He said he will clean the carb, and engine, replace both magnetos, and clean and reset the values for $350. Sound reasonable?

 

[Charlie Lyman]

Much cheaper than a new motor. However, having had those engines before, start putting money aside for a replacement.