Recent content by grumpyunk

Unless you know differently, I would expect the relay could be designed to supply power to the hour meter when the engine is running(or the ignition switch in RUN). You may have a wiring schematic in the owners manual, might find one searching the net, and know for sure. If you want to...

If your engine does not need synthetic to protect for extreme heat or slow flow when cold, then you can use conventional oil without any problems. OTOH, if you want to spend more per oil change, synthetic is perfectly fine to use. The engine was designed with conventional oil as the...

Years ago a Honda-powered pressure washer needed a bit of cleanup. Did that, added fresh oil and fuel, and fired it up. It ran for a while, and was put to use. A few hours later, the engine would not start. I checked for spark, and there was none. A new mag was ordered and installed later...

When you apply the brake and lock it in position, you are putting a load on the geartrain through to the drive axle and wheels. The brake disk just locks a shaft linked to the output shaft and thus the drive axle/wheels. I think with no basis that there is some wear internally that is causing...

I may have missed it, but am under the impression that the carburetor is a Nikki. I have one so equipped and the ABF solenoid is unique, to say the least. It holds the main jet inside the part that screws into the bottom of the float bowl. The jet is almost like a coin with a hole drilled...

If you run at slower rpms, the cooling effect of oil being splashed everywhere is reduced. You may starve parts of lubrication they would get at full operating rpm. Additionally, the cooling of the flywheel blower is also reduced at lower rpm. Does lower rpm produce less heat? Probably...

B&S commonly put a diode right in their harness leading from the engine. It was wrapped in heat shrink and very near the plastic connector. You would need a diode to prevent battery discharge when the engine is off. The other need for a diode is to prevent damage by the 'back EMF' that occurs...

Wonder what the owners manual says about the hour meter. The thing owners should want to know and measure are engine hours to keep track of maintenance and adjustments. Sorry, who gives a fiddle about how many hours the deck has been spinning the blades. I wonder if the power lead to the...

Not knowing the model, does this have two drive belts for the transmission? If so, replacing in pairs may help. If it is one with a deck drive belt and a motion drive belt, things to check are 1)idler pulley position/alignment and bearing condition 2) belt guide/guard condition and position 3)...

If bought from a reputable, authorized dealer, the sale should have been reported to Ariens, along with the owner sending in or filling out some sort of registration. If bought elsewhere, with no paperwork, why would anyone expect any sort of warranty? Is there any indication other than serial...

You can use a magnet to poke around down the channel where the missing pushrod used to be. Use a flash light and magnet to see if you can find the pushrod. If left internal, it can damage the other parts such as cam gear, governor, and more. If they are not already damaged. The pushrod...

Somebody is forcing an earthquake in the use if IC engines. Rules and regulations are enacted or dictated(regulations are not law) at the whim of unqualified people. I do not believe any sort of cost:benefit analysis has been done on electrification of OPE. Th PTB do not seem aware that the...

I can get the "Ha-ha you missed me!" in two ways. Turning sharply and maintaining the same speed, I think the overlap normally occuring when mowing straight ahead does not occur as much, so some is left. The blades are staggered fore and aft so they can be 'closer together' when mowing...

I kind of like the 2nd reply here: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/air-cooled-engines-need-the-very-best-oil.360167/ It makes sense to me. How many old pieces of equipment are still around and running, that were always fed 'a good grade of 30W motor oil', a phrase I remember from...

The SuperTech may not be as good as some national brands. Well, you can do your changes on shorter intervals if you feel it does not provide adequate longevity. Checking the links, $10 for a quart of Pennzoil is a bit much for me. The Walmart links are less pricey at least right now. I...