Help Diagnosing Issue

[MrLarkins]

OK, it's a new day. This morning, I disconnected the fuel line at the fuel pump (tank side) and used an air compressor set at 10lbs to blow the line back into the tank...easy enough, and I didn't notice any debris, but honestly, I can barely see into the tank. I took the carb off again, cleaned and checked it (see images),

then reassembled and went to mow. I have 1 acre, and was able to complete the mow without it dying. However, after it was warm, it did lack power in taller grass, and on occasion when turning it acted like it wanted to die. I let off the handles and just sat for a second while the rpm came back up and then continued on my way. After the mow, the engine was smoking (see video-->Smoking ) from what seemed to be the left cylinder head.

If I were to sell this mower to another homeowner near me and tell them about the issue, what is a fair asking price in your opinion. Once again, this is a Husqvarna RZ5426 with Kohler Courage 26HP that needs love. The mower has been well maintained and has 1950 hours on.

 

[VegetiveSteam]

OK, it's a new day. This morning, I disconnected the fuel line at the fuel pump (tank side) and used an air compressor set at 10lbs to blow the line back into the tank...easy enough, and I didn't notice any debris, but honestly, I can barely see into the tank. I took the carb off again, cleaned and checked it (see images),
View attachment 65467View attachment 65468View attachment 65469View attachment 65470
then reassembled and went to mow. I have 1 acre, and was able to complete the mow without it dying. However, after it was warm, it did lack power in taller grass, and on occasion when turning it acted like it wanted to die. I let off the handles and just sat for a second while the rpm came back up and then continued on my way. After the mow, the engine was smoking (see video-->Smoking ) from what seemed to be the left cylinder head.

If I were to sell this mower to another homeowner near me and tell them about the issue, what is a fair asking price in your opinion. Once again, this is a Husqvarna RZ5426 with Kohler Courage 26HP that needs love. The mower has been well maintained and has 1450 hours on.

I'm no help with an asking price but I do have a couple of questions toward still trying to repair it.

I apologize if I've missed it, but have you checked compression? And now after running it and seeing the smoke, what's the oil level?

 

[MrLarkins]

I don't have a tool to check compression values, but I can say that there is bounce/kickback when I spin the crank by hand for what its worth. I just checked the oil level after letting the engine cool for an hour and it is 1/2 between E & F. I remember it was Full just a couple days ago, but was also filled with fuel as well (remembering it gushing out the breather tube).

 

[sgkent]

Assuming both sides are free of weeds and debris, and all the cooling tin is in place, if one side is that much hotter, it is either pulling much more load, or it is running lean, or it has advanced timing.

if it is pulling more load - find why the other side is pulling less

If it is lean then swap carbs and see if the problem follows the carb or the side. Use some spray flammable carb cleaner to look for a vacuum leak. The other side could have the vacuum leak or be too rich.

If the timing is not adjustable per side, then you can ignore this, but if the timing is adjustable per side check it.

don't discount what a leaking head gasket can cause in mixture and power issues. Look carefully to see if there is any evidence of leaks on either side.

 

[STEVES]

Ran it again today. Issue persists.
To VegetiveSteam: I took your suggestion and check the heat from each side of the exhaust...both cylinders are putting out the same heat.
To Rivets: the crankcase bolts are all tight.
To PT mowerMech: when I turn the key and before the engine cranks (accessory spot), I here the 'click' of the solenoid in the carb. What else can I do to 'check' it?

I'm going to take a video of the issue occurring and post it for your inspection.

What else?

If I'm seeing this correctly, the engine is shaking and the mower frame is not. Have you tightened the engine to frame bolts?

 

[STEVES]

Ran it again today. Issue persists.
To VegetiveSteam: I took your suggestion and check the heat from each side of the exhaust...both cylinders are putting out the same heat.
To Rivets: the crankcase bolts are all tight.
To PT mowerMech: when I turn the key and before the engine cranks (accessory spot), I here the 'click' of the solenoid in the carb. What else can I do to 'check' it?

I'm going to take a video of the issue occurring and post it for your inspection.

What else?

If I'm seeing this correctly, the engine is shaking and the mower frame is not. Have you tightened the engine to frame bolts?

 

[kjonxx]

Gas cap vent is worth a look.

 

[ChrisBFRPKY]

If I'm seeing this correctly, the engine is shaking and the mower frame is not. Have you tightened the engine to frame bolts?

This

 

[ChrisBFRPKY]

Gas cap vent is worth a look.

And this. Once you get the engine bolted to the frame, check to make sure your engine has an adequate fuel supply. Check for loose debris in the tank, check to make sure the fuel pump is good and check for pinched off fuel lines. You have an obvious fuel starvation problem. I've read thru the thread and if you've made sure the carb is not the issue by cleaning all fuel passages then the issue is going to be a fuel supply problem.

BTW, the engine video of the one side overheated was caused by running the engine for an extended period without the fan shroud/blower housing. Any air cooled engine will overheat without that shroud/housing in place.

 

[ChrisBFRPKY]

The courage range is the engines that the mower companies want to pay for
The command is what the owners actually want
I am a fan of the Courage singles , such an easy engine to work on and the only one that you can change the oil filter without having to clean up a horrid mess or make up all sorts of weird shields to prevent oil ending up allover the belts.
1/3 the time to split the engine which you can leave in the mower thus a big time saver and only 2 spanners to strip the engine as compared to the 9 you need to strip a B & S engine .
When they started to develope the Kohler Krack, Husqvarna simply dumped them down here by the thousands so near 1/4 of the engines I service are courage singles in Husqvarna tractors .
I love them , just a shame that they changed over to the cast crank mid production which played havock with the balance .

This made me throw up a little bit.