dsholler 54 #1 Posted February 17, 2013 Anyone know a reliable shop in the Fairfield or Bridgeport area? It looks like my engine will need something fairly serious, and I do not have the tools or skills to determine what the problem is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SALTYWRIGHT 861 #2 Posted February 17, 2013 I LIVE IN NORWALK, CT.AND THERE IS NONE DOWN HERE THAT I KNOW OF. THERE IS NONE ALSO IN GREENWICH, CT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. 856 170 #3 Posted February 17, 2013 Anyone know a reliable shop in the Fairfield or Bridgeport area? It looks like my engine will need something fairly serious, and I do not have the tools or skills to determine what the problem is. I got nothing for you down that way but if your willing to drive into the Hartford area I can get you in touch with a guy I just worked with. He is not a shop.....just an older gentleman that as been rebuilding small engines forever. He will steer you right. If you want the info PM me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,354 #4 Posted February 17, 2013 Anyone know a reliable shop in the Fairfield or Bridgeport area? It looks like my engine will need something fairly serious, and I do not have the tools or skills to determine what the problem is. I guess my questions is what is wrong with your engine, and how do you know it's serious? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsholler 54 #5 Posted February 18, 2013 Good question RMaynard.... I have put this in another thread, before I asked about shops.. An engine which has never smoked, and used very little oil, has started smoking in a big way (push in the choke, and the garage is full of smoke in 10 seconds or so... ). Also, the oil (which is pretty fresh, has maybe 6 hours of run time on it) and which looked clear prior to this starting, now has little specks in it that look like rust. It is a bit confusing, because the symptoms were that I heard a loud rattle... which happened for maybe 20 seconds and then stopped, and then the engine started smoking. Unfortunately, at the same time that this all occurred, the clutch spring broke, and the bendix seized up. So I originally figured the rattle was the bendix gear or the clutch spring. Fixing those is well within my abilities (and already done), and I probably could take off the head if I had to, but diagnosing and fixing anything inside the engine is something I have never done.. and do not own the proper tools to do in any case (I manage with a socket set and few wrenches, and an electric rotary hammer). If you can think of something that would cause the engine to suddenly start smoking and create lots of glop in the oil that did not involve broken rings or loose valve seats that would be great , and I will check it out as soon as I can.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grinchsr 647 #6 Posted February 19, 2013 CALL FITZGERALDS ( 203 723-7247 ) IN BEACON FALLS. HE DID MY BIG BLOCK 454 FOR ME. I BELIEVE HE ALSO DOES SMALL ENGINES AND I TRUST HIM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redidbull 54 #7 Posted February 19, 2013 If you mean a machine shop Center Auto in Stratford is a great place. The Son took over for his Dad and brought the quality with him. They have been around since my muscle car days of the 70's building motors. It is on Stratford Ave. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #8 Posted February 19, 2013 Sounds suspiciously like the balance gears just blew up and may have taken some of the innnards with them, but I'll defer to those with more knowlege about motors! ~Duff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsholler 54 #9 Posted February 23, 2013 Thanks guys. I will start calling around Monday and see if these guys can help me out . I have no idea what happened, one minute I was throwing snow all over the place, and the next I was in violation of the clean air act I hope I can get the Kohler back into shape... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick_in_CT 156 #10 Posted February 25, 2013 If looking for a machine shop, as redidbull mentioned Center Auto in Stratford is a top notch machine shop. Don't know if they do complete rebuilds on small engines. In Orange you have Knights, Inc. on the Boston Post Road. They have been a Wheel Horse dealer going way back, and work on Kohlers all the time. Rick 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsholler 54 #11 Posted February 28, 2013 Knights just picked her up..... hoping does not need a heart transplant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsholler 54 #12 Posted March 1, 2013 Well, the guys at Knights tell me that the rattle was not the engine at all, but a piece of the throttle shaft rattling against the carb (or maybe the bushing, whatever).. anyhow... explains why it did not run right.. so no heart transplant... hopefully back soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #13 Posted March 1, 2013 Maybe to help ease your mind a bit, The guys over at Knights are really good. Fred and John run the place, and have been doing so for MANY years. Their son is getting really involved as well and is doing a fine job. Tip: If you ever go there for old WH parts, try to get John. He'll spend the most time with you, and is very well versed indeed. Fitzgerald's as mentioned is also a great shop to go to. I had the heads done on a car, and they came out awesome. They work on forklifts, and pretty much anything that revs. I'll have to keep Center in mind going forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsholler 54 #14 Posted March 1, 2013 I did speak with the folks at Center as well. They said that they were happy to do whatever work I needed... but with the small engines they just do what they are asked, and do not get into the diagnosis and repair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsholler 54 #15 Posted March 12, 2013 Well, I sent the tractor off to Knight's in Orange.. just got an update... apparently, the rattle I heard was a screw from the throttle plate being sucked into the engine!... things are kinda worn inside, but this engine has never been rebored (it is an 87) so not too surprising I guess. I am just going to seal it up and keep an eye on the oil level... (I do that anyway).... if it gets too bad then I will overhaul it. So hopefully things will be fine.. (until I get the bill of course ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
