My engine knocks

[Jparkes43 329]

The other day I fired up my 227-5 with that fc540v engine and it knocks what I think to be bad (will get a video ASAP but I consulted the manual and the only things it says could be wrong is low fuel octane, ignition system faulty or engine overheated (but it cant be that since its knocks on a very cold start.

 

but surely this cant just be the list I'm worried about something deep inside the engine. should I be worried? what would be your first step?

 

how can it be low fuel octane when the billy cans have 95 octane in them?

 

how would I test the ignition system?

 

and if it requires a rebuild where would I get a kit? and how much would they cost?

 

thanks

 

James

 

[WHEEL HORSE 312-8 52]

Crappy gas is my best guess

[C-101plowerpower 1,605]

james, i think when the manual stated engine overheated i think it means it allready overheated and now has the knock(doesn't mean the engine knocks when hot)

 

 

 

 

 

Koen  

[Jparkes43 329]

thank you all for your help, i will try changing the petrol when i get the chance, interesting to think about it overheating.

 

james

[wheeledhorseman 573]

'Knocking' noises from engines have fairly distinct sounds that can indicate the source of the issue. A video with sound would indeed be helpful.

 

The term 'knocking' when related to pre-ignition i.e ignition spark too early, low octane fuel, or even glowing carbon in the cylinder head used to be commonly referred to as 'pinking' here in the UK which is perhaps a better description of the noise this creates. More mechanical like knocking sounds can indicate other probs like big end or little end wear on the con rod or excessive crankshaft end float. These also have fairly distinctive sounds. 

 

A video with sound would indeed be helpful and try and identify where the sound seems to be coming from (easier said than done I know)

 

Andy

[WHEEL HORSE 312-8 52]

I had a old craftsman wen I was young I nocked when it over heated

[Jparkes43 329]

thank you all for your opinions, video on the weekend, it does it from cold but as koen said it cold be from previous overheating.

 

james

[Jparkes43 329]

so the carbon build up should i try fresh fuel and sea foam and see if ti helps?

 

james

[WHEEL HORSE 312-8 52]

Get seafoam engine treat ment

[Jparkes43 329]

heres the video guys, its the best i could do, sorry if it doesn't help.

 

 

thanks 

 

james

[wheeledhorseman 573]

I'm not at a PC with sound at the moment but re your pm about someone suggesting tappets - the manuals for settings can be found on the forum here http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/category/15-other/?sort_order=ASC&sort_key=file_name&num=10&filter_key=all&st=40

 

Hope this helps - will watch the video with sound tonight.

 

Andy

[Jparkes43 329]

thank you Andy hope to hear from you soon.

 

james

[Jparkes43 329]

well earlier on today i adjusted my valves so they are all correct, one problem i put the rocker cover back on and one of the bolts stripped (not flush thankfully) so i will try and tease it out, if that fails i will drill and retap it. 

 

james

[Jparkes43 329]

well i adjusted my valves and it didn't help, while i had the plug out and the engine had no compression i moved the flywheel and it knocked inside the engine, so it is defiantly the big end, so i am going to run it until it breaks because i cant find a rebuild kit don't know if andy (wheeledhorse man) might know anything.

 

james

[Jparkes43 329]

ive seen a good engine for a repower its a kohler kt745 750cc 26hp v twin monster, good base for mods.

 

do you think this would be a good engine.

 

can i get it in the uk

 

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinecatalog/productDetail.htm?productNumber=KT745

 

james

[wheeledhorseman 573]

Concerning spares I think Kawasaki regard these engines as being obsolete now so realistically if you are obsessed with the tractor and reluctant to part with it because you've put so all that money and hours into it then look out for a cheap 227-5 that runs and rob the engine off that.  

 

To be frank about re-powering it, I personally wouldn't spend the time and money on it and in terms of upping the HP, I'm not sure how much an old Peerless transmission will take before it gives up. As you know, I have a 227-5, it's my wife's favorite as she finds it more comfortable to mow with for long periods than the others but if the engine or transmission were to give up then that will be that and it will be parted out.

 

IMHO you've cut your teeth on this tractor, learnt a lot, and if the passion is still there then my suggestion would be to move on to a C or 300 series with horizontal shaft engine. 

 

Andy

[Jparkes43 329]

ok that is sad to here that they don't make parts, are they really obsolete?, i don't really wont to get rid of it because i have put so much into it, it means alot to me as you know, but then i do love the c series and the 300 series are quite similiar looking, i might look out for a engine or one to break, could i repower then with a similar engine? why is a horizontal shaft engine better aswell?

 

james

Edited October 25, 2014 by Jparkes43

[Jparkes43 329]

well as andy suggested it could be failed oil pump so i checked my oil pressure gauge and sure she reads 0.5bar when it would normally be 3.5-4 bar.

 

time for me to decide

 

james