TE 20 Engine Power

I inherited a 48 TE20, got it running, cleaned and adjusted the carburetor to stop backfiring and it seems to run good until I am attempting to climb a hill. It has a bush hog on it now and mows fine until I start climbing a hill. I have to disengage the mower and still barely makes it up the hill. Not sure if I'm missing something?

I would suspect your missing compression if this beast smokes and timing if it does not.

Check the function of the governor. With the engine off, set the hand throttle for full speed. The throttle
plate on the carb should be fully open. Start the engine, with the hand throttle set full speed, the RPM
should be 2200. With the engine running, RPM set to 2200, push the governor linkage (the link from the carb
throttle plate to the governor) to idle. Allow the engine to reach idle speed, quickly release the linkage.
Observe the governor action, the throttle should momentarily go to fully open until the engine speed
returns to 2200 RPM. If the governor is not fully opening the throttle, the engine is not going to deliver
full power under load.

If it misfires under load, could be weak spark, plugs, plug wires, points, cond, coil, points out of
adjustment, worn distributor bushings, low battery (not charging).

Black smoke would indicate too rich. Float level too high, choke not fully open, restricted air cleaner.
Try temporarily removing the air cleaner hose from the carb, see if that makes a difference. The cleaner
can get clogged with dirt even if the oil bowl is clean.

Try partially pulling the choke. If it improves the condition, it's too lean.

Rare but possible, check for exhaust restriction. If nothing obvious, try removing the exhaust pipe from
the manifold for a test.

Might check the valve clearance. I believe that engine uses a timing chain, check the valve timing while in
there. Good chance to rinse out the gas tank.

(quoted from post at 22:48:09 08/28/15) Check the.....

Try partially pulling the choke. If it improves the condition, it's too

there. Good chance to rinse out the gas tank.

Click to expand...

I had this issue.. tractor ran fine until it got to a hill..pulling the choke helped.. turned out that even thought the fuel sediment bowl was full the pipe inside was clogged. Took the whole deal off.. blew out the lines, reinstalled and it's running great. Really powers up on hills now.

No smoke and timing seems ok. Going to check out the gas lines, bowl and tank. Thanks

Thanks, I will check out the tank, bowl and lines. Been sitting a while.

Thanks, I will check it out. Probably need to clean tank, bowl and blow out the lines.