So this isn't the Techumseh forum but I'm desperate!

[Herr Leber]

There shouldnt be that much torque on the flywheel bolt.
Once you get if off, you're gonna have to give it a whack on the crank while wedging a pry bar under it to release the flywheel.

[G-Benz]

Yeah I know that, what I meant was can I brace the blade, so I will have enough leverage to loosen the flywheel bolt?

[Southern]

G-Benz,

Yes you can block the blade to loosen the flywheel nut. I usually stick my 18" screwdriver in the slots of the flywheel to block it. With this method you run the risk of chipping off a flywheel fin.

Sounds like a job for an impact wrench...if you've got one.

[Mark Stetson]

There is, by the way, a Tecumseh website that will direct you to the nearest dealer. I just went through my yard equipment also. My local dealer said it was the carburetor before I finished my second sentence. He was right. Fuel stabilizer or not, it was bad gas. I completely disassembled the carb on both my Tecumseh-powered chipper and my Honda generator and cleaned them both out with carb cleaner and new gas. It was really very easy, and reminded me how much fun working on cars used to be! There was a lot of crud in the float bowls of both machines, so I knew I was on the right track. I cleaned the plugs on both machines, put them together and they both started like new.

[G-Benz]

Well, I gave up and took it took it to the Sears repair center. Got it back yesterday, and they had adjusted the valve and cleaned the carburetor. They also did some other repairs that I didn't ask for (but really needed, so I didn't complain). $124 total; ($65 in parts). Starts on the first pull now.

Finally, they also sent the correct parts for my leaf blower, so I can reassemble that too.

I am sure my neighbors were wondering why my yard had taken a nosedive as of late...

G-Benz,

Glad you got it running well again. I would hate spending over $100 for this, but sometimes you just have to "bite the bullet". It sure beats the cost of a new mower. They are getting EXPENSIVE!

I bought a Cub Cadet with hydrostatic drive about 8 years ago, paid almost $3000 for it, there's no telling how much they have gone up since then. It has an Onan engine and continues to be flawless. The good news is that it is reliable enough and pleasant enough to drive, that my wife enjoys mowing with it. For me that was money well spent. I hate mowing.

Don't forget the stabil in the carburetor for the winter so you don't have to go through this again next spring.

Good luck,

HAVE YOU TRIED AN O.V.P.?
MF

[Southern]

G-Benz,

Glad to here that your back in business. If you use stabil make sure that you run the engine long enough (3-5 minutes) so that it makes it way into the carborator. I prefer to let the engine run until the tank is empty before storing away for the season.

Larry,

I didn't realize that Cub Cadet has/had Onan engines. I acquired my neighbors 1975 Sears lawn tractor, back when they used real metal, (48"deck & 46" plow) a month ago. It has a 16HP twin cylinder Onan engine which runs like new.
I'm also supprised that you don't have a diesel lawn tractor. He he.

Yes, the 2145 Cub Cadet has a twin cylinder 14 horse Onan. I would not buy an Onan in a mower UNLESS it had a hydrostatic drive. This way the engine runs at constant speed. The Onan's live forever in a constant speed application such as hydrostatic drive, a generator, or welder.

And yes, I did want a diesel mower really bad, but not bad enough to spend almost twice as much money.

Have a great day,

[gdaley]

Glad to hear you got it running. I was thinking about your problem today as I was following a 6.5 hp Sears mower around the yard and was considering posting to see if you had gotten it running.

[Robert W. Roe]

I just wanted to add one of my experiences. My Honda snowthrower usually starts on the first pull, but a few times I got it to start by dumping a bit of STP gas treatment into an almost empty tank. Must have been old gas.

[G-Benz]

Trees on and near my yard usually complete their leaf-dumping cycles by the end of November, so I figure at least one more trip around the yard for the year.

After all of the engine powered tools do their respective duties this fall, I will let each of them run the tank dry and dump whatever is left in the cans into the car.

Come to think of it, I need to get my daughter out on her motorcycle (2-cycle Yamaha PW-50) until we run it dry as well.

All motors should be okay come next spring.

[Southern]

One more suggestion for your 4-cycle lawn engines.

After the last cut of the season I change the oil so that come next spring all I need to do is put in fresh gas and it ready to go (provided your blades are sharp).