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My 42a707 overheated thanks to A MOUSE

14 years ago

My quesion: does it make good financial sense to have the intake valveseat replaced for $120 by a machine shop when i know the engine overheated and the rings for this cylinder (#2) are blowing a little oil by? I can spend around 500 for a new replacement engine from jacks or tulsa engine warehouse. I love the tractor, MTD 46" deck, foot-pedal hydrostatic drive with bagger, replacement cost easily over 1500 new plus i just put new belt and blades on deck, so it's a keeper. The engine is already at the shop. I guess i'm just wondering if i made the right call.

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Comments (9)

rcbe
14 years ago
I would spend the 120 bucks plus a few more for some mothballs for next winter's mouse prevention and get as much service from that machine as you can with the engine repaired.
IMHO, the weak spot in that model will be the tranny or elect PTO clutch (if so equipped). Replacement/repair of either of those items will most likely have you then looking for another tractor.
mikesmtd
Original Author
14 years ago
"plus a few more for some mothballs for next winter's mouse prevention"............LOL

Yeah, well, it's my own fault, didn't know better and when i started it the first time in the spring all sorts of stuff flew out and i'm thinking...'how'd all that stuff get in there?....oh well"...20 minutes later the head gasket blew in cyl 2.

I now know to remove all the shrouds and check it first thing every spring.

My concern is with it overheating is there other damage limiting the life of the engine?

The rest of the tractor is in excellent shape.
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I couldn't say for certain what the cost would be. You will have to poll some machine shops in your area to get a feel for the prevailing rate. Automotive machine specialist type shops will be the best to check with as they have the equipment and expertise to handle a job like this. To them, it's actually an everyday event to cut a cylinder head for oversize valves in the quest for more power. Doing the same to an engine block (in your case) to correct for damage is not all that different, for them.
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"using catch can, test for fuel flow to carb inlet by cranking engine. Be careful of fire." I would point out this will do no good as the engine has a fuel pump built into the carb. As mentioned way back up on this very old thread, check the vacuum impulse line from the engine block to the fuel pump. This will be the bottom line, gas line is on the side IF you took the fuel pump apart, did you find and properly replace the 2 tiny springs? I can send you a Service Manual for the engine IF you like. Address below, put in proper format and remind me the engine model number and what you want. Walt Conner wconner5 at frontier dot com
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rustyj14
14 years ago
Just think--a few bucks to buy a box of clothes dryer sheets might have saved all of the future expense of a new engine!
mikesmtd
Original Author
14 years ago
You're kidding right? Tried that, doesn't work. not with these mice.
walt2002
14 years ago
De-con works for me.

Walt Conner
mikesmtd
Original Author
14 years ago
You're kidding right? Tried that, doesn't work. not with these mice.
rcmoser
14 years ago
Tried gas? I used he Black flag indoor fogger. Close up the garage and bug bomb the #$*& out of them. Kills anything that breaths air and even you!, takes about two hours, if you over use don't hve no ignition source in there. I have fidder backs and black widows Takes care of them and anything else sucking air.

The smoke maybe coming from the head now, unless if smoked all along. I would try ebay for a cheaper one? YOu can also look for a head there also. I would repair if it was me either by shopping for cheap head or replacement engine and at last resort new replacement engine. Even if you replace the head your repair costs with be at least half the cost of the new replacement engine if you do the work yourself, no brainer if you have to pay someone to do the work. if you like it that much maybe wise to just get a new engine and be done with it?
mownie
14 years ago
For those folks who might not know. "Fiddle Backs" are Brown Recluse spiders, so called by the "violin shaped" mark on their "back". The neck of the violin points toward their head. Very nasty necrotic wound if you get bitten.
mikesmtd
Original Author
14 years ago
Oops, please disregard the last post, Walt, i resubmitted by mistake! Decon most definately works.

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