Work Horse 1848

[ML3 1,981]

Doing some pre snow maint/repairs on my Workhorse. Bervac all connected & working properly. Seems like when climbing even the slightest grade (my driveway is pretty flat but graded just enough to drain water) there's a noticeable loss of power. Worse with snowblower engaged. It does seem to possibly be running a bit rich so I may start by doing some carb adjustments? I know the hydro does & can take a while to really warm up. Im getting full range from the throttle. I believe with a load of snow in blower it will only make it worse.  

[ebinmaine 74,841]

Do you use non ethanol fuel?

 

Has the carb been rebuilt lately? 

 

Age of fuel lines? 

 

[ML3 1,981]

Always use ethanol free fuel. I replaced all fuel lines & filter as preventative maint. Prior owner took carb off & overhauled before he sold it to me. Starts up easily & seems to run fine but like I said definitely a noticeable loss of power with the slightest load. 

Edited 21 hours ago by ML3

[ebinmaine 74,841]

I'd start with the carb clean. 

 

Maybe download a manual and check / adjust the governor linkage. 

[ML3 1,981]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

I'd start with the carb clean. 

 

Maybe download a manual and check / adjust the governor linkage. 

I'm kinda thinking governor issue possibly??

[ebinmaine 74,841]

4 minutes ago, ML3 said:

I'm kinda thinking governor issue possibly??

 

Sounds logical 

[Bill D 2,387]

Good compression on each cylinder?  Any signs of leaking head gaskets?  Is it firing on both cylinders?  What happens if you pull one plug wire?  Does it die or stay running? 

I've seen that engine run surprisingly well with loose heads and leaking head gaskets.  Also check for intake manifold leaks and a possible clogged exhaust.  I have one here with loose baffles in the muffler.   They can also suffer from loose valve seats like Onans.

Edited 21 hours ago by Bill D

[Handy Don 14,826]

Some years ago on another brand mower with a B&S engine it was weak under loads. I tied a string directly to the throttle so I could give it a pull when I thought the governor shoulda been kicking in. 

Get on the hill, pull on string, throttle opens more, engine adds power.

Governor linkage was in the wrong hole on the throttle actuator. (And yeah, it was me that put it together wrong in the first place)

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,773]

Sometimes the operator manual has carburetor and governor info

 

[pfrederi 19,062]

Make sure she is running on 2 cylinders 

[ML3 1,981]

Started messing with it this morning.  Unplug right (back one towards steering column) & it stays running. Unplug left (front of tractor) & it stalls out. Both plugs appear to be firing by how the electrode appears?? Also my spark tester indicates spark at both.......

 

It definitely seems rich when running & had it backfire couple times after shut off. Guess I'll keep at it.  

 

Did notice spark plugs are mismatched so Im gonna start by trying to find the correct plugs. 

 

[pfrederi 19,062]

Hold you finger in the back plug hole while you crank engine ...Feel strong compression??? if not may be a stuck valve in back cylinder.  If you have a compression tester it is more accurate than a finger

[Bill D 2,387]

45 minutes ago, ML3 said:

Started messing with it this morning.  Unplug right (back one towards steering column) & it stays running. Unplug left (front of tractor) & it stalls out. Both plugs appear to be firing by how the electrode appears?? Also my spark tester indicates spark at both.......

 

It definitely seems rich when running & had it backfire couple times after shut off. Guess I'll keep at it.  

 

Did notice spark plugs are mismatched so Im gonna start by trying to find the correct plugs. 

 

Good place to start.  Two new plugs then repeat the test.  Champion RJ12's or equivalent. 

[ML3 1,981]

2 hours ago, pfrederi said:

Hold you finger in the back plug hole while you crank engine ...Feel strong compression??? if not may be a stuck valve in back cylinder.  If you have a compression tester it is more accurate than a finger

 

No compression on back cylinder.

Great......don't really need another project. Maybe if I get lucky a stuck valve will be it 🤞 Still a lot of teardown to determine.....

[pfrederi 19,062]

5 minutes ago, ML3 said:

 

No compression on back cylinder.

Great......don't really need another project. Maybe if I get lucky a stuck valve will be it 🤞 Still a lot of teardown to determine.....

 Leak down tester available???  If not  at TDC blow some compressed air in the plug hole see if you can see, feel,hear, it coming out exhaust or carb...

Edited 3 hours ago by pfrederi

[ML3 1,981]

6 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

 Leak down tester available???  If not  at TDC blow some compressed air in the plug hole see if you can see, feel,hear, it coming out exhaust or carb...

I can probably get a leak down tester. Think theres one at my moms. Still going thru dad's tools etc since his passing in April. 

 

Im just disgusted now so I've lost interest for a bit. May just consider a complete re-power as an option.  Wanted to be able to use it this winter. Time is what I dont have much of. Finally catching up on everything I had to neglect for the 4mo my dad was sick. Helping mom with stuff at her house. She has no intention on moving. 4200 sq ft house on 5 acres is a lot of work especially for 1 person. 

[pfrederi 19,062]

Understand,,,Family comes first  and don't wear yoursrself out !!