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16 hp B/S Vanguard motor HELP!!

16 years ago

I have a C/C with a 16 hp B/S vanguard that has 480 hrs. on it this past week ever time I try to mow the first 10 minutes it runs fine than the motor acts like it is not getting fuel cut blades off motor runs normal than it will get to a point that it will not run with or with out clutch engaged but will restart and to the shed I go. I have checked the filter it is ok, no water in the gas, I was wondering if it could be the coil when cold ok after motor heats up and a load on system the coil could break down or fuel pump because the way it acts. I need to try and fix myself because of all the rain we have gotten here In Texas all repair men are no longer taking new work till they get caught up and my grass seems to grow 3in a day. HELP!!

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Comments (9)

rustyj14
16 years ago
Try rigging up a gravity fuel tank to your engine, and isolate the stock tank. This might solve the worry about the fuel tank. Also, make sure the breather hole in the fuel tank cap is open--mud wasps love to drop an egg in the leetle hole, and daub it shut with some "poo" until it hatches! Ever see "mud" in little holes in anything that sits outside, uncovered? Thats mud wasp work!
Check the spark plug for carbon build-up.
It could be the coil/ ignition system, too. I had a lawn tractor here that would run great! I would let it run for a long time, or mow my yards with it, and then it would just shut down, and not start again until it cooled down! Sound familiar? And, a replaced coil fixed it!
butchs_hobby
16 years ago
When it starts to act up loosen the gas cap, if it straightens up it's just like Rustyj14 said, vent hole in the gas cap plugged probably by a wasp. I'm in south Texas, just able to mow this morning(only day it hasn't rained in two weeks) and the grass REALLY needed cut.
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If you want to rule out the valve issue, then just roll this tractor to where your car is. Put a set of booster cables on the car battery. Put the positive cable onto the terminal on the starter that has the heavy cable attached to it. Take the negative booster cable and press it firmly against the engine block or tractor chassis with the ignition key in the "ON" position. If the engine spins over easily and starts, remove the negative cable from the engine block or tractor frame. Try this a few times. If you get the same results, then you just proved two things. 1. The valves are likely adjusted correctly 2. Your tractor has a seperate starting solenoid somewhere. So let's pretend that the above scenario has occurred. Next step. Take the booster cable off of the starting mower. Trace the heavy wire that is on the starter motor back to the starter solenoid. Put the positive booster cable onto the OTHER big terminal on this solenoid. Clamp the negative booster cable lead to a clean spot on the engine block or the tractor frame so that it makes good electrical contact. Now try starting the tractor with the keyswitch. If the clicking noise is still there, the a new solenoid should solve the problem. The clicking sound is the solenoid pulling in. However, the round disc inside the solenoid is not making proper electrical contact and needs to be replaced.
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Yes thank you for the link, it does have some good information. The problem does go away for a short time after the filter is cleaned really well or replaced but this can not be the only problem because I am cleaning the filter ever hr or so just to keep it running and this is a new filter (4-5hrs old). It is a little wet. Could it be the valves? What should they be set at??
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tmajor
16 years ago
If you can see the coil or can get to it easily, there is a spray coolant available in electronics stores, which could be sprayed on the warm coil to see if it helps. This is used on electronics and is harmless to paint and components.
aggie37
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks: This C/C gas cap does not have a vent in it I checked it so tank must be vented in some manner I am going to try repacing the coil.
wheelhorse_of_course
16 years ago
You might pick up a neon spark plug/coil tester. See what the bulb looks like when it is acting up compared to when it is running correctly.

Fuel starvation is a definite possibility.
fisher40037
16 years ago
Just thought I would bring this back up so we have some
backround on your other thread.

Fish
aggie37
Original Author
16 years ago
What happen to my 7-13-07 posting?? I tried all of the above and as the 7-13 said I still have the same problem.
fisher40037
16 years ago
Just close your eyes, click your heels, and say"there is no place like garden web", 3 times..........

Your other post is still there, just look for it, and
listen to me in it.

Fish
rcmoser
16 years ago
I have and outside suspicion it may be the fuel pump. when it dies I would spray some carb cleaner in it see if it hits off it, if it does weak fuel pump or cracked or dry rotted fuel lines on the fuel pump is where I would look then. Either a weak diaphragm in the fuel pump or lines sucking air would cause fuel starvation IMO>

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