Is nine months long enough?

[PWL216 1,218]

I had a problem with my 520 H  where it wouldn’t start. I had a mobile service come in and they couldn’t get it started, and he recommended a professional shop to bring it to. So I did. They’ve now had it for nine months. I don’t think they’ve spent a lot of time looking at it other than to change the fuel pump and maybe clean the carburetor. At this point, I think it’s a matter of pride to them. But at the same time, I know they’re not working on it. I called and left a message this week and told them I have to pick it up by the in May, fixed or not. I think I’ve been pretty patient.

[WHX?? 56,546]

Ok might be a stupid question but why couldn't we fix it here? We have a couple of 520 experts. 

Edited 20 hours ago by WHX??

[PWL216 1,218]

7 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Ok might be a stupid question but why couldn't we fix it here? We have a couple of 520 experts. 

@WHX?? that’s not a stupid question at all and in fact, there’s a good suggestion. Thank you. If it’s not running when I pick it up, I might just bring it to the show.

[wallfish 19,937]

Get it from the shop

Describe ALL of the issues and circumstances about it as much as you can. 

Let RS help diagnose and give a plan of attack and you follow the instructions. Some guys on here know those Onans well.

Viola, a running machine if it isn't something catastrophic going on

[Bill D 2,838]

I'd be happy to help diagnose it along with several others.  

[PWL216 1,218]

36 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Viola, a running machine if it isn't something catastrophic going on

Thx @wallfish I’m confident it’s nothing catastrophic. 

[Bill D 2,838]

I wish you were closer.  I'd have you bring it over.  It would be fun to troubleshoot it.  

[Ed Kennell 46,007]

Spark, fuel, compression, and a way to crank it over.

 

I have used another tractor to crank an engine to check for spark.  Just park them PTO to PTO and twist the belt. 

A thumb over a spark plug hole while cranking will indicate compression.

Spray fuel directly in the carb while cranking.

 

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Ed Kennell

[953 nut 65,879]

Like @wallfish said, tell us what it wasn't doing before the shop on wheels got there and what is and isn't doing now. We will go from there.

[squonk 46,419]

520. If it cranks  check for fuel and spark. Easiest way is to spray a pit of carb cleaner into the air intake of the carb. If it pops, you have spark. If it doesn't most likely ignition module or coil. If it doesn't crank, first place I would look is nototorious 9 pin connector.

[rmaynard 17,148]

Some so-called small engine shops have no idea about how to diagnose and repair an Onan engine. If its an electrical issue, a good multimeter, a copy the electrical Demystification Guide, and a little common sense is all you need. If it's fuel, that's just plumbing. 

 

[WHX?? 56,546]

3 minutes ago, rmaynard said:

small engine shops have no idea about how to diagnose and repair an Onan engine

So true unless they have a old timer that's been around the block or a young tech that really studies his trade. A good shop will be up front and tell you they know nothing about Onans instead of just taking your money for nothing. 

[702854boy 734]

41 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

money for nothing

and your chicks for free

[WHX?? 56,546]

7 minutes ago, 702854boy said:

and your chicks for free

Lol  ... You younguns stick to tractors and let us old coot worry about the chicks ... we got nothing to lose... 

[lynnmor 8,802]

11 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Spark, fuel, compression, and a way to crank it over.

 

Somehow many think that an Onan is different.  If you are having problems just download the service manual, for an Onan download it here.  An operators manual is available here.

[squonk 46,419]

Most small engine shops only want to do 2 things. Sell you equipment or service what they sell. That's about it.

[Gasaholic 370]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

 service what they sell. 

And some of them can't even do THAT 

[Ed Kennell 46,007]

4 hours ago, rmaynard said:

Some so-called small engine shops have no idea about how to diagnose and repair an Onan engine.

 

Sometimes STUPID can be good.

I bought a marketplace 310-8 for $175.  It was advertised as not running and a locked transmission.    I saw what appeared to be a like new 42" SD deck, so I bought it un seen for the deck and parts.

The PO said the clutch is locked up and it will not start.  He had called a nearby lawn and garden tractor sales and service shop that would pick it up for $150 but it probably needs a new  $600 transmission and some engine work.   He advertised it for cheap to make room for the new tractor he bought from the same dealer.

 

The only problem was a worn drive belt that had allowed the clutch damper plate to fall below the damper piston. The piston then popped out and locked the clutch un the up position.    Of course net being able to depress the clutch and close the clutch safety switch prevented it from starting.

About an hour and a new TSC drive belt and it was mowing my yard.     BTW, he had installed a new deck that was used one season before the tractor died.

 

STUPID was good to me..    

[squonk 46,419]

47 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

 

Sometimes STUPID can be good.

I bought a marketplace 310-8 for $175.  It was advertised as not running and a locked transmission.    I saw what appeared to be a like new 42" SD deck, so I bought it un seen for the deck and parts.

The PO said the clutch is locked up and it will not start.  He had called a nearby lawn and garden tractor sales and service shop that would pick it up for $150 but it probably needs a new  $600 transmission and some engine work.   He advertised it for cheap to make room for the new tractor he bought from the same dealer.

 

The only problem was a worn drive belt that had allowed the clutch damper plate to fall below the damper piston. The piston then popped out and locked the clutch un the up position.    Of course net being able to depress the clutch and close the clutch safety switch prevented it from starting.

About an hour and a new TSC drive belt and it was mowing my yard.     BTW, he had installed a new deck that was used one season before the tractor died.

 

STUPID was good to me..    

This is exactly what happens. Many times a " mower "  repair will cost as much as buying new. The local Toro dealer closed a couple of years ago. They had a base fee of $100 to look at a piece of equipment. (1.5 hrs. labor). You had to pay it up front. If you decided to fix it that money went towards the repair if you wanted it fixed. Many people just abandoned their equipment and went to Lowes or Walmart. They had a policy if a mower came in for even warranty engine  work that was bought elsewhere, it would be looked at when they had time. At the end they had sheds full of machines left behind. 

[PWL216 1,218]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments. It had spark, it was getting fuel, it was cranking, and it had compression. I checked all those before I brought it to the shop. My thought was that it was gonna be a valve issue, which I think is common in the Oman’s. The guy took it to seem to know a bit about the Onans, but then again, maybe not 🤪

[Pullstart 69,923]

6 hours ago, WHX?? said:

money for nothing

 

6 hours ago, 702854boy said:

and your chicks for free

No better response than that Uncle Jim!