QuestionQUESTION: Hi: Craftsman GTS 5000 els,Riding mower, 24 HP OHV B&S, 913.276320, 46in.cut. Serviced machine m(oil & Filters) replaced battery w/U1R 300/360/34; not sears brand; they spec't U1R, 35 amp hr; 280 CCA. Engine cranks & starts good but when pulling switch to engage blades (Electric clutch) looses power, will stall if not at full throttle. No obstruction or binding found. Blades will turn and mower pulls slow on level ground; won't pull up grade, stalls. Mower runs at normal speeds and pulls up grade good with blades dis-engaged. Ammeter on dash shows charge rate normal. Where should I look for problem? Thanks; Bill
ANSWER: Hello Bill:
The Most Common Cause for this Problem is the PTO Ground. A Quick Ground Check is to Use Another Wire and Ground the PTO at the Harness Connection Nearest the PTO. Be Careful and Do Not Ground the HOT Wire. Use a Multimeter and Locate the Ground Wire. Clean the PTO Ground and All the Connections for the PTO Wiring Harness. If you have an Ohmmeter, Disconnect the Wiring Harness from the Front of the Clutch and Check the Resistance of the Clutch. You should have around 4 or 5 OHMs. If at or near Zero, the Coil has Shorted. Check the Stator Output with the PTO Engaged. Sometimes the Stator Charges Good when the PTO is Not Engaged, but the Extra Load of the PTO Draws Too Much Current and the Stator Does Not Supply Enough Voltage to Engage the PTO and Keep the Carburetor Solenoid Open Correctly at the Same Time. If you Correct the PTO Engagement Problem and the Engine Does Not Pull Correctly, then you May Need to; 1- Set the Carburetor Air Mixture Screws (if the carburetor has them). 2- Soak and Clean the Carburetor. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi:I checked the ground; no change. The resistance of the clutch is about 3.8 ohms.The carburetor seems to be OK; runs smooth; when blade clutch is disengaged it is fast and powerful in all gears. I staart the engine and ampmeter on dash goes to; depending on how much it cranked; 10 or 12 then slowly drops to 5 then about 2 or three when the battery is fully rechaarged. pull the blade clutch on and it goes to zero for a few seconds then picks up to slight charge; if I try to pull up the bank or get in deep grass it bogs down and the meter goes to the negative side. The battery I purchased is an Exide U1RE 300BCI,360CA,34A., voltage reads 12.8 V; Seaars lists a 154842 parts number for their battery (at $142.39)but has to order it; the lists for $89.00. An e-mail to sears 35 AH, 280 CCA, Case size UIR. Is there something special secret about the $142. battery that I missed. There is a rattling noise up front, underneath, I assume from hte clutch, when it bogs down. I checked the disk clearance at .012, which the owners manual calls for. Alson aafterI used it to cut some grass and weeds for a while and it seems to be a little better. I'm stumped. Thanks again; regards; Bill
AnswerHello Again Bill:
I Appologize. I Misunderstood your Question and Problem. The PTO is Staying Engaged, but you are Loosing Power when the PTO is Engaged. OK. 1- Check the Valve Clearance. **I Do Not Use the Setting Called for by the OEMs. I have Found that the Following Works Best. Remove the Valve Cover (on the Dead Cylinder for Twin Cylinder Engines). Set the Cylinder you are Setting the Valves on to Top Dead Center (Both Rocker Arms will have Play in them when the Engine is at TDC) When Setting the Valve Clearance. Now Loosen the Valve Adjuster Locks and Set the Intake Valve Clearance to .004in -.006in and the Exhaust to .007in - .009in. I have had Better Performance Out of the Mowers and Less Burnt Valves Using these Settings. Be Sure the Piston is at TDC on the Compression Stroke.** If the Valve Clearance is Correct, then the Carburetor May be Causing this Probelm. The Battery you Purchased is Fine. I Never Use the OEM Batteries. Too Expensive. If the Voltage when you Engage the PTO Drops Below 10.5VDC, the Carburetor Solenoid will Not Stay Completely Open and will Restrict the Gas Flow to the Main Jet. To Check for this Situtation; 1- Have Some Check the Battery Voltage with the PTO Engaged. Do Not Use the Dash Meter. Use a Meter that is Attached to the Battery Terminals. 2- If the Carburetor Shut Off Solenoid has Current, then Remove the Carburetor Solenoid and Go to the Hardware Store. Purchase a Bolt of the Same Diameter and Threads. It Needs to be 3/4" Long. Put this Bolt in Place of the Solenoid. If this Corrects the Engine Problem, then Replace the Solenoid. ***NOTE: THIS IS FOR CHECKING THE SOLENOID ONLY I NEVER SUGGEST YOU OPERATE THE ENGINE WITH THE SOLENOID OUT OF THE CARBURETOR EXCEPT FOR TESTING PURPOSES*** Sometimes the Plunger is Moving, Just Not Far Enough to Allow the Gas to Enter the Jets. Again, I Appologize for the Misunderstanding. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of this Engine at this Site Addy, http://www.smallenginepartswarehouse.com/parts.asp and Select the Shop Online Parts Look Up. Then Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM and Enter the Model (5 or 6 Digits) and Type Numbers (first 4 digits Only). Example: 446677-0470 (this is your engine model numbers). Then Double Click on the Model in the Results Area. Now you can Select the Section of the Engine you Wish to View. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
