More Tecumseh Trouble - Low Compression

Isn't that infuriating ! a machine starts, or just pops and downright refuses to do it again !

Hi James, I currently have a Coleman Maxa 5000 ER with a 10 hp Tecumseh engine garage kept Florida unit. I'm only $50 into it so I have room to spend. Performed a compression test and I'm getting 80 psi, did a leak down test and it's holding pressure, checked valves and intake is sitting at .08 while exhaust is at .12. The flywheel key is not sheared and I have good spark. Cleaned the carb but it's backfiring through the exhaust. Where should I check next?

Great video, but you couldn't give me one of those generators😊

I'm in my 60's. I have never seen a Tecumseh engine that ran right. Not even brand new.

I like your approach to problem solving and your work is spot on nice hobby if you have the room you seem to have plenty wife must go mad at you spending too much time in the garage, love from the UK.

Propulsional ❤

09-22-2024

A lot times low compression valves to tight

You reminded me of the Making Fire scene in Quest for Fire when the early Homo Sapiens teaches the Neanderthals how to make fire

Mustie does what Mustie does

Don’t buy anymore Tecumseh powered generators I think that is the answer

Set the float separation from the body at 11/64 ths of an inch. A drill bit will work for the measuring device 👍🇨🇦

I actually have that generator. My grandparents upgraded from this to a new shiny Predator inverter generator. I got mine running good enough to use to keep my fridge and lights on plus a TV during a power outage. I may buy me a new generator one day only because my neighbors hate the thing because it's so darn loud. But it works in a pinch. I have 3 inverter generators I put the electronics on but the rest goes on this generator. Mine actually has a L14-30 connector for the 240v. I had to fix a neutral issue but it works good

You need a valve grinding machine

Hi James, one thing I noticed about those Tecumseh engines; I own a 5 hp one on my snowblower, is the backfire or miss; they all do it, especially at no load. The nature of the beast; as you say. The thing I noticed, though, is that these carbs have a linkage to the governor, but no anti-backlash spring, as I have seen on your other projects. I know my linkage is well worn and has slop in it. This slight slop in the linkage may be what causes the apparent miss, surge or stumble that these beasts all do, with no load applied. I think that adding the spring to the carb linkage might help clean up the speed variation with these units. What do you think? Great video. Thanks for putting out great content.

Thats a cute generator.

I have the same motor and carburetor. I have a question, please. Intake to the motor, What type of gasket do I use. Where can I purchase the 3 gaskets. Thank you

I never liked Tecumseh engines they dont hold up like the Briggs and Stratton engines

Yes nothing wrong with either machines, just have to dial those carbs in & know how to keep them that way.

I also have one of these Gen. and mine had a slight misfire just like this one does! I have an old craftsman chipper/shredder with one of these Tecumseh engines and does the same. I guess Tecumseh was okay with the way they ran I assume.

James when you get them like that spray the Aliminum with hydraulic oil new or old it's the best rust inhibitor out there just a fine mist all over you won't regret it

Did you really mean to say that there would be rust inside that carburetor? Not sure where that would come come from?

Hi James, Neighbors driving by your house say, "Look! James is having another Yard Sale." James, did you know Harbor Freight now sells Anti-Vibration screwdrivers? I wish. I would love to see you produce a video showing how to properly install a whole-house 20k+ generator. For the video, you could cover installing an underground liquid storage tank, running and connecting the gas line to the generator, and connecting the power cables to the inside service box. This is my next DIY project.

Hi Jim, I know you did this video a while ago, but I just watched it now. Great! I am going to take a stab at the misfire issue with no load - timing needs to be retarded. Is there a way to move the pickup coil just a wee bit in the direction of engine rotation?

Was that Ken helping you move the generators outside? 😊

I worked on a lot of small engines when I was a teenager in the 90s and I remember I always had trouble getting Tecumseh engines to run properly. They were relatively difficult to work on too, on a lot of them you had to remove some of the head bolts to get the cowling off.
On another note, you absolutely have a neutral there, you just have to take it off the 120V receptacles, you can make up an adapter with a pair of NEMA5-15 plugs and tie the two white wires together and there's your neutral and then you will have 240V between the two black wires.

Points or electrons module. Rust on flywheel

I've given up trying to make these ta-dump-sahs run. No matter what I do, they never run properly the next time I need them. Stored inside ✅
Fuel shut off ✅
Run dry shut down ✅
Ethanol free ✅
Yearly oil change ✅

It's the nature of these beasts to be garbage. Resale value is shyte. I just want something that's going to run when I need it to run not something I have to work on every single time I need it.
I now have a Honda 6250, Husqvarna 7500, generac 17,500 and a B&S inverter 2k. They all start and run properly even after sitting for 6 months untouched.

ON THE ORIGINAL CARBURATOR, YOU CAN FIX THE THROTTLE THAT OPEN AND CLOSE …

Does that plastic 90-degree fuel inlet come off? In replacing my fuel hose it popped off but was able to press the plastic inlet back in place . I worry that it may fall out while running 😮

I picked up some Zep Heavy Duty Citrus Degreaser to use on carbs in the ultrasonic. Haven't tried it yet, but it says safe for AL on the label. Have you tried it?

👍

Thanks!

I throw rusty bolts, nuts and washers in a vinegar bath over night and wire brush them clean the next day. Works great. C

you test the compresion always dry no test with oli ??

Hi Jim, old engines sometimes have behind the flywheel points. And they may, be out of adjustment or dirty.

Hello James. How did the valve "Grow longer" from new with no clearance and slightly open?

Tecumseh engines are so finicky they either run perfectly or with a miss, carb, governor design? They have been known for the exhaust valve issue, too.
Also another thing to look at is that cap/freeze plug cover on carburetor there are three holes that join in that area it's part of the idle circuit and it's known for a place debri gets in there giving fits to engine operations. This has to be removed to clean properly, usually a drill bit into it, and then pry it out. Most good kits come with a new one. Another observation I've made concerning the Governor is there seems to be more tolerance on the shaft of Governor thru the block casting and since I've never experienced a new machine because all we see today are 15/ 25 yr old models. And yes most do smooth out once a is load applied. It's a tough market to resell these peticular units to a buyer. I do remember when the older tecumseh engines were well made and same quality as the Briggs engines. Quality of the Tecumseh fell drastically after the mid 80ies which explains why they went away.

The jell is someone using to much stabilizer. When they went electronic ignition on them Tecumseh's in 81 or so, they ruined the smooth running. If you get one with points and they are clean and set...they run and idle perfect. One in 10 or less might run and idle smooth with that electronic module or external coil.

Hello James. I bought one of these in 2000 and by 2003 I could not get it started. After watching you for a few years I think I could fix it now. Too bad I gave it away. It had less than 20 hours use.

I've worked on small engines for more than 30 years I refuse to work on Tecumseh. I have had to many come back in the past. great videos

Hi James I was told that the way to take the compression on a engine with a compression release is to turn the engine backwards. by using a drill or impact driver.

The old carburetor were the governor rod hooks to the bracket that turns the throttle shaft, is there anyway to repair the loose fit? In the video you can see it moving up and down when it was running. Probably not. And that second carburetor did seem to really fix it anyhow,,,,,,,,,,,,I watch a lot of your videos, been and auto mechanic for nearly 50 years, but never had much to do with smaller engines. But you are a great teacher, and you never cuss! Ha ha ha,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Tecumseh = Junk!

James is like the Bob Ross of Small Engine/Generator Repair.

Hello! I am working on a generator that looks almost exactly like yours! Mine is a 1970's Coleman with a 5HP B&S model 135212 engine. The engine is a flathead type, and I was wondering if I could swap it for a more common (and newer) Honda engine?

I have watched a few videos of yours where the valve stem is too long to give the proper clearance. Presumably the engine has been this way since it was manufactured as the valve stem could not grow longer surely. I find this surprising - lack of quality control?