Trouble with my Vanguard Twin

cparktd

cparktd

Member
On a Ferris ZTR Engine is a twin 28hp Vanguard.

Model 49E877
Type 0001G1
Code 150604YP
425 hours on it.

Ran perfect when parked last fall. It was the first time in years that I didn’t add any fuel stabilizer to the gas for the winner. My bad. I filled with fresh gas, it had dried up bone dry over the winter. Crank but no start this spring. Runs only on a shot of starter fluid, fuel issue right?

So I did…
New plugs, new fuel pump, new fuel filter… the air filter looks good. Valve lash checked at ~.006, Changed the oil and filter.
It then started right up then… and it ran well… until it didn’t!

I Mowed with it, for an ~hour. Perfect! Until I throttled it back to get off and pick up some trash. When I got back on, it would not throttle up… barely runing… Rough, stumbling badly. I was finally able to coax it to full speed but any load at all kills it, like just trying to move it or turn the blades on.
So, I tried another shot of starting fluid just to confirm it a fuel problem, yep that smooths it right out. Topped off the gas just to be sure…

Hopefully, save me some time guys
What next? Difficulty to get at the carb? You can’t even see it under the covers LOL
Thoughts appreciated!
TD

Just For fun guys… AI Render of me on my mower! Chat GTP. Asked for “Rat Fink” style. LOL!
 

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cparktd said:
Runs only on a shot of starter fluid, fuel issue right?
Click to expand...
Right.

Get a jug of Stabil. Use it year round. You will never have a non start fuel related engine again. Just the plain old school bottle of Stabil is all you need. Not the new 360 formula that doesn't work. Get the SMALLEST bottle and keep it moving so it all stays fresh.

With 425 hours, I would flush the fuel tank. Install new fuel line from the tank to the carb inlet. New filter while you are there. Little shut-off valve action too. Boil clean the carb using safety glasses. Clean the cooling fins. Make sure the valves are set on the proper stroke. There are 2 TDC strokes on a 4 smoke engine. Go to NAPA for your spark plugs. Scamazon and Evilbay are huge platforms for fake plugs.
 
slomo said:
Right.

Get a jug of Stabil. Use it year round. You will never have a non start fuel related engine again. Just the plain old school bottle of Stabil is all you need. Not the new 360 formula that doesn't work. Get the SMALLEST bottle and keep it moving so it all stays fresh.

With 425 hours, I would flush the fuel tank. Install new fuel line from the tank to the carb inlet. New filter while you are there. Little shut-off valve action too. Boil clean the carb using safety glasses. Clean the cooling fins. Make sure the valves are set on the proper stroke. There are 2 TDC strokes on a 4 smoke engine. Go to NAPA for your spark plugs. Scamazon and Evilbay are huge platforms for fake plugs.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I got new the fuel filter, fuel pump and NKG plugs from my servicing dealer. I will get new fuel lines and re check the valve lash.
 
If your tank fitted with an internal finger strainer/filter, on the fuel out port, these can get choked by old fuel residue .
Quick check - remove hose from inline filter, turn on tank tap/valve and see if good fuel flow. If good strainer is clear if not -
Quick fix - using compressed air, blow back up the fuel tube, to remove some of the "gunk".
Proper fix - empty tank, remove tank, hopefully fuel valve/tap & finger strainer can be removed. Clean strainer, using carby cleaner, an old toothbrush, compressed air. Reassemble & Reinstall 😈
 
Skippydiesel said:
If your tank fitted with an internal finger strainer/filter, on the fuel out port, these can get choked by old fuel residue .
Quick check - remove hose from inline filter, turn on tank tap/valve and see if good fuel flow. If good strainer is clear if not -
Quick fix - using compressed air, blow back up the fuel tube, to remove some of the "gunk".
Proper fix - empty tank, remove tank, hopefully fuel valve/tap & finger strainer can be removed. Clean strainer, using carby cleaner, an old toothbrush, compressed air. Reassemble & Reinstall 😈
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.
I was able to blow back through the line and hear bubbles in the tank but will absolutely look better into the tank strainer. I found just this afternoon that the vent filter that tees in to the tank vent running between the two tanks was laying on the frame, where dirt and dead grass collect. looked clogged. Cleaned it, But, I had tried removing the gas cap before with no luck.. IDK. Also the o-ring seal on the dip-stick had hardened and was likely not sealing, to contain the crankcase pulses necessary to function the lift pump. So back at it tomorrow!
 
cparktd said:
On a Ferris ZTR Engine is a twin 28hp Vanguard.

Model 49E877
Type 0001G1
Code 150604YP
425 hours on it.

Ran perfect when parked last fall. It was the first time in years that I didn’t add any fuel stabilizer to the gas for the winner. My bad. I filled with fresh gas, it had dried up bone dry over the winter. Crank but no start this spring. Runs only on a shot of starter fluid, fuel issue right?

So I did…
New plugs, new fuel pump, new fuel filter… the air filter looks good. Valve lash checked at ~.006, Changed the oil and filter.
It then started right up then… and it ran well… until it didn’t!

I Mowed with it, for an ~hour. Perfect! Until I throttled it back to get off and pick up some trash. When I got back on, it would not throttle up… barely runing… Rough, stumbling badly. I was finally able to coax it to full speed but any load at all kills it, like just trying to move it or turn the blades on.
So, I tried another shot of starting fluid just to confirm it a fuel problem, yep that smooths it right out. Topped off the gas just to be sure…

Hopefully, save me some time guys
What next? Difficulty to get at the carb? You can’t even see it under the covers LOL
Thoughts appreciated!
TD

Just For fun guys… AI Render of me on my mower! Chat GTP. Asked for “Rat Fink” style. LOL!
Click to expand...
Check for air leaks around the carburetor intake by spraying carburetor cleaner there when engine is running. Is RPM affected and changed or does it stay the same?
 
cparktd said:
On a Ferris ZTR Engine is a twin 28hp Vanguard.

Model 49E877
Type 0001G1
Code 150604YP
425 hours on it.

Ran perfect when parked last fall. It was the first time in years that I didn’t add any fuel stabilizer to the gas for the winner. My bad. I filled with fresh gas, it had dried up bone dry over the winter. Crank but no start this spring. Runs only on a shot of starter fluid, fuel issue right?

So I did…
New plugs, new fuel pump, new fuel filter… the air filter looks good. Valve lash checked at ~.006, Changed the oil and filter.
It then started right up then… and it ran well… until it didn’t!

I Mowed with it, for an ~hour. Perfect! Until I throttled it back to get off and pick up some trash. When I got back on, it would not throttle up… barely runing… Rough, stumbling badly. I was finally able to coax it to full speed but any load at all kills it, like just trying to move it or turn the blades on.
So, I tried another shot of starting fluid just to confirm it a fuel problem, yep that smooths it right out. Topped off the gas just to be sure…

Hopefully, save me some time guys
What next? Difficulty to get at the carb? You can’t even see it under the covers LOL
Thoughts appreciated!
TD

Just For fun guys… AI Render of me on my mower! Chat GTP. Asked for “Rat Fink” style. LOL!
Click to expand...
Schedule with Ferris Dealer a full maintenance on your commercial piece of equipment. Are you using high 93 octane gasoline?
 
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