Bull 36 #1 Posted 5 hours ago Hello Everyone, My 1986 Wheel Horse KT417A (series 2) with supposedly 561 hours has been running well until just recently. I was cutting my lawn and after about an hour the motor started loosing power. I shut it down for about an hour and then restarted it and it seemed fine. The same thing happened a week later. When is looses power I can't restart it for a while. Now it doesn't seem to have the overall power it once had but it has been doing the job.The fuel filter has been replaced, gas is good, plugs fine, points and condenser replaced last year. I had an issue a couple of year ago where I had to free up the #2 valve. I scraped the head and that side was carbon free with no other issues. The #2 side compression reading is 70 lbs with the #1 side 54 lbs. The motor doesn't burn oil or smoke. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do next. Regards, Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 20,701 #2 Posted 4 hours ago (edited) That is not much compression especially #1. Carbon on the valve??? Do the spark plugs look about the same. Edited 4 hours ago by pfrederi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bull 36 #3 Posted 4 hours ago Hi Paul, The #1 plug (54 lbs) just a little dark but not to bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 20,701 #4 Posted 4 hours ago 6 minutes ago, Bull said: Hi Paul, The #1 plug (54 lbs) just a little dark but not to bad. Yeah Typo on cylinder # but 54 is bad 70 isn't; that great, Can you do a leak down test they provide more info than a compression test. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,736 #5 Posted 4 hours ago Have you replaced the air filter, I had my 1989 414-8 several years ago actually shut down while mowing and it turned out to be a very dirty air filter ( dandelion seeds ). I try to change the filter regularly, but lost track of time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 12,283 #6 Posted 4 hours ago Is it easy to check the valve clearances? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 20,701 #7 Posted 4 hours ago 1 minute ago, gwest_ca said: Is it easy to check the valve clearances? Unfortunately Valves are not adjustable on KT17 but checking it could point the way Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bull 36 #8 Posted 4 hours ago To All, The air filter is good. I was wondering if trying to de-carbon with water might help on the lower compression cylinder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bull 36 #9 Posted 4 hours ago If it is determined that a rebuild of the motor is required are there arts available for this motor? Regards, Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 20,701 #10 Posted 4 hours ago 5 minutes ago, Bull said: If it is determined that a rebuild of the motor is required are there arts available for this motor? Regards, Bob Can't comment on water decarboning.. I have 3 KT 17s and 1 Magnum 18 and I love them but after over hauling my Mag18 I decided I would never do it for a KT17. Some parts are harder to find and they are not cheap... and machine shop work is twice as expensive (2 of every thing). It was a few years ago just under $900. Sure now with higher machine shop work and parts you are over $1000. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
