Jparkes43 329 #1 Posted October 22, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHEEL HORSE 312-8 52 #2 Posted October 22, 2014 Crappy gas is my best guess 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-101plowerpower 1,605 #3 Posted October 22, 2014 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 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #4 Posted October 22, 2014 thank you all for your help, i will try changing the petrol when i get the chance, interesting to think about it overheating. james Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 573 #5 Posted October 22, 2014 '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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHEEL HORSE 312-8 52 #6 Posted October 22, 2014 I had a old craftsman wen I was young I nocked when it over heated Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #7 Posted October 22, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #8 Posted October 22, 2014 so the carbon build up should i try fresh fuel and sea foam and see if ti helps? james Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHEEL HORSE 312-8 52 #9 Posted October 22, 2014 Get seafoam engine treat ment Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #10 Posted October 23, 2014 heres the video guys, its the best i could do, sorry if it doesn't help. thanks james Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 573 #11 Posted October 23, 2014 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 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #12 Posted October 23, 2014 thank you Andy hope to hear from you soon. james Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #13 Posted October 23, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #14 Posted October 25, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #15 Posted October 25, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 573 #16 Posted October 25, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #17 Posted October 25, 2014 (edited) 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #18 Posted October 26, 2014 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites