QuestionQUESTION: I have a 460V on a commercial lawnmower - engine is probably 20+ years old. It is hard to start when cold - difficult to pull over, but once it has run for a bit it will restart with a quick pull. Any suggestions? Is there an aftermarket electric starter for this engine? I was thinking of lighter weight oil than the 30W using now, but am hesitant to make that switch - blow by burning of oil possible.
ANSWER: Stay with your oil, a lighter weight won't protect the engine as it should.
You may have a build-up of carbon in the chamber. This requires removing the head and scraping and brushing the carbon away. You can try using Techron or ValvetTect in your fuel and this might help.
You also could have a gunked up engine. If the oil hasn't been changed regular or the engine has been run hard, there could be an excess of old oil gumming things up.
And of course the starter itself might be the problem. You might try disassembling it and giving it a good cleaning.
I don't know about any starter retrofit for the engine. You have to have the proper flywheel and the block has to be drilled and tapped for the mounting holes. Thanks, PK.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: PK, Thanks for the advice - New spark Plug, this spring, completely cleaned the coil & spark wire. I'll try the techron in the gas, any suggestions for if its old oil gum up - how often would you recommend changing it - use mower maybe 2.5 hours per week. Thanks again, John
AnswerOn that old of an engine, I would change it every 20 hours. This will help remove some of the build-up if any as well. Some people do the crankcase flushes. My feeling is that they do more harm than good. I think it's better to leave sludge where it is than to risk plugging up the oil passages. Thanks, PK.
