QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
I've been trying to get my mower running. I bought an 18 HP Vangaurd, it's a twin cylinder, to replace a 20 hp I had in my tractor that threw a rod. Supposedly it was running when it came out of the last tractor.
I feel weird not being able to get my tractor running, and have thrown some money into so I can't turn back now.
I have been reading posts for about 2 months, trying to get my engine going. It has a new starter and I checked the solinoids. It has the proper fluids, and I'm trying to start it with my battery jumper directly connected to the starter. When I turn the engine by hand, it turns over, but it is hard to get it past top dead center. I thought it was good to have good compression, but when I try to start it, it won't turn over more than 1/4 to 1/2 a turn before stopping. It turns over without the spark plugs in.
I read a post where you told someone to adjust their intake and exhaust valves. I've rebuilt many snow blowers, so I'm feeling confident that I can take apart whatever I may need to in order to get this engine running. So, here goes.
Question 1: Does it sound like I need to adjust my engine valves?
Question 2: If I do need to adjust, how do I go about doing that?
Question 3: How do I measure to even know if I have them set correctly or not?
Thanks for your help
ANSWER: Hello Jason:
From your Description it Sounds like the Valve Clearance Requires Adjusting. Send me the Model and Type or Spec Numbers Off the Engine, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. The Model Numbers May be Stamped Into the Blower Housing (metal engine cover) Above the Spark Plug. I Suggest you Remove Any Belts that are on the Crankshaft. Then Try Starting the Engine. If No Change, then **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) on the Compression Stroke When Setting the Valve Clearance (on Some Model Engines you can Also Watch the Valves and when the Intake Valve Closes, Place a Pencil in the Spark Plug Hole. Slowly Turn the Engine Until the Pencil Stops Moving Out of the Engine. This is TDC on the Compression Stroke). Now Loosen the Valve Adjuster Locks and Using a Blade Style Feeler Gauge Set the Intake Valve Clearance to .004in -.006in and the Exhaust to .007in - .009in. Once you Set that Cylinder, then Set the Other Cylinder to TDC and Repeat the Process. 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 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: John,
Thanks for the quick feedback. I went back to the engine, and the model info is no longer on the engine. What I do know is that all the parts seem exactly interchangeable with my 20HP 460000 Series motor.
I'm not sure where I'm adjusting or my left from my right on this project. Let me quickly describe what I'm interpreting from your description.
If I want to adjust cylinder 1, remove the valve cover. From there I can see the 2 valves and the cylinder head. I can get top dead center for cylinder 1. Where do I go from there?
I guess I'm not sure how to get to the rocker arms and when I get there, what is it that I am adjusting?
Thanks for your help.
Jason
ANSWER: Hi Jason:
No Worries. I am Assuming that the Metal on the Blower Housing is too Rused to See the Numbers Any Longer. The Numbers are Stamped Into the Blower Housing (Metal Engine Cover) Just Across from the Spark Plug, Nearest the Edge of the Housing. If this has the OHV (OverHead Valves), then The Valve Stem Tips are Resting on One Side of the Arm and the Other Side of the Rocker is Pushed by a Round Push Tube. For this Style Valve Syatem; **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) on the Compression Stroke 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 this is a L Head Engine, then the Rocker Arms are Not Used and a More Detailed Instructions File is Required. Remove the Carburetor and the Crankcase Breather/Vent and the Valve (Stem) Cover so you have Access to the Valve Stems, Springs and Keepers. Set 1 Cylinder to TDC on the Compression Stroke. Using a Blade Style Feeler Gauge, Check the Clearances. The Intake should be .004in - .006in and Exhaust .007in - .009in. If the Feeler Gauge will Not Slide Between the Valve Tip and the Tappet, then you Must Reset the Clearances. **You Will Require a Small Engine Valve Spring Compressor to Remove the Springs and Keepers from the Valve Stems.** Some Engines Use a Valve Keeper that is like Automotive Keepers (2 Cone Shaped Keepers that Set in the Valve Retainer/Rotocoil Assembly)and the Other Style is a Slotted Retainer that is Moved (once the Valve Spring is Compressed) to the Larger Opening in the Retainer and the Retainer Slips Over the Valve Stem Tip for the Valve to be Removed. Remove the Heads. Set 1 Cylinder so the Piston is at TDC on the Compression Stroke And Check the Clearances Between the Valve Stem Tip and the Tappet. The Clearances are as Follows: Intake Valve Clearance is .004in - .006in and the Exhaust is .007in - .009in. You have to Lightly Grind the Valve Stem Tip and Place the Valve Back Into the Engine (you can Hold the Valve Seated by Hand) and Check the Clearance Until you Reach the Required Clearances. Once the Valve Clearances are Reached, Re-Install the Valves on that Cylinder and Turn the Other Cylinder to TDC on the Compression Stroke and Set that Cylinders Valve Clearances. Once that Cylinder is Set, then Re-Assemble the Engine. 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: Ok,
So here is the update on my situation. I have finished adjusting the valves to your specifications. The engine still does not turn over.
I am attaching the jumper cables directly to the starter to bypass any electrical issue. The starter is brand new. I have lapped the valves while it was apart. The valves are set with the proper clearance.
When power is set to the starter, it begins to turn over about a 1/4 to half a turn before it get stuck. Without the plugs installed, it freely turns with no problems. It feels like it is getting hung up in the compression stroke, even when I turn it over by hand.
What else could it be? I'm really at a loss now.
Thanks
AnswerHi Again Jason:
A Quick Question. Have you Checked the Flywheel Key and Made Sure it has Not Been Damaged. A Damaged Flywheel Key will Cause this Problem by Causing the Spark Plug/s to Fire too Early During the Compression Stroke. According to the Breakdown for a 460700 Engine, this is Not an OHV Engine. The is the L-Head Engine. On this Model Engine I Suggest you First Check the Valve Clearance. Use a Blade Type Feeler Gauge. Remove the Carburetor and the Crankcase Breather/Vent (# 8-1) and the Valve (Stem) Cover (# 8-2) so you have Access to the Valve Stems, Springs and Keepers. Set 1 Cylinder to TDC on the Compression Stroke. Using a Blade Style Feeler Gauge, Check the Clearances. The Intake should be .004in - .006in and Exhaust .007in - .009in. If the Feeler Gauge will Not Slide Between the Valve Tip and the Tappet, then you Must Reset the Clearances. **You Will Require a Small Engine Valve Spring Compressor to Remove the Springs and Keepers from the Valve Stems.** Some Engines Use a Valve Keeper that is like Automotive Keepers (2 Cone Shaped Keepers that Set in the Valve Retainer/Rotocoil Assembly)and the Other Style is a Slotted Retainer that is Moved (once the Valve Spring is Compressed) to the Larger Opening in the Retainer and the Retainer Slips Over the Valve Stem Tip for the Valve to be Removed. Remove the Heads. Set 1 Cylinder so the Piston is at TDC on the Compression Stroke And Check the Clearances Between the Valve Stem Tip and the Tappet. The Clearances are as Follows: Intake Valve Clearance is .004in - .006in and the Exhaust is .007in - .009in. You have to Lightly Grind the Valve Stem Tip and Place the Valve Back Into the Engine (you can Hold the Valve Seated by Hand) and Check the Clearance Until you Reach the Required Clearances. Once the Valve Clearances are Reached, Re-Install the Valves on that Cylinder and Turn the Other Cylinder to TDC on the Compression Stroke and Set that Cylinders Valve Clearances. Once that Cylinder is Set, then Re-Assemble the Engine. If the Valve Clearance is Good then the Problem is the Cam Lobe is Worn and the Cam will have to be Replaced. 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
