Ingersoll 446

JOB · May 24, 2015

I have an Ingersoll 446 with an Onan engine that ran perfect last summer. This year I got it out and it ran great. While I was looking it over I noticed a large mouse nest around the carburetor. While the engine was running at maybe half throttle I cleaned up the engine with compressed air and got rid of the mouse nest. Now the engine surges.

What did I mess up using compressed air to get rid of the mouse nest? On the top of the engine, crankshaft end, there is something for the ignition, I have forgotten what is in there. Could I have messed something up in there? Any thought's or ideas?

jacks · May 24, 2015

JOB,

Did you drain the old gas out of the tank? You might try a good carb cleaner and see if it improves. Is the governor linkage working freely- might help to check that linkage and spray wd-40 on the joints. I believe that the carbs used on the Onan can be cleaned by removing the top part of the carb body. Last thing, it is not good to blow out a mouse nest with compressed air. Mice can carry a virus called Hantavirus which can cause a bad illness in humans when breathed in- hope you did not get exposed to that.

Tom Arnold · May 24, 2015

The ignition points reside in the area you speak of. Perhaps the surging is because you knocked the governor spring off. It is doubtful that the compressed air had any effect on the points. Considering the low cost of a can of Seafoam gasoline additive, I suggest that you obtain that product and use it according to the instructions on the tin. Seafoam is a proven product that can often solve problems that occur in engines that have sat for some time with the so-called gasoline that is available at the pumps these days. Alcohol is added to gasoline and that makes the gasoline hygroscopic.. meaning it attracts water. It also promotes the growth of algae which is never a good thing for your fuel tank, fuel pump or carb. Below is a link to the Onan Service Manual for the BG Series engine. If you GOOGLE, you can find the manual for the P Series or Performer engine if that one is under your hood.
Onan BG service manual

JOB · May 24, 2015

I have never really had a problem with old gas. I have a 4020 Ingersoll that I don't really like so it does not get used much. It sat for several years once and I put new gas in with the old if there was much and started it and ran it for two summers with no problem. I will check the governor linkage and see if it works freely. As for the mouse nest that was blown out, outside, so I am thinking that I was up wind of the nest. Thanks

JOB · May 24, 2015

Years ago I blew all the chaff off and around the engine with the engine off and it would not start after wards. The problem then was I had blown something in with the points. After cleaning that out and maybe cleaning up the points and adjusting the points it ran fine again. I thought it was points under that cover but was not sure. It has been a long time since I had to mess with that engine except for oil changes. And I forget things.

I will check the governor spring. As for gas, it has never been a problem I also have a 444 Case that I only use for snow blowing. It sits all summer but runs fine in the winter. I do put more gas on top of the old gas. This summer I might siphon out the gas and then put in all fresh gas in the fall. That 444 only ran for one snowfall this past winter.

If worse comes to worst I will try the sea foam, But have never felt the need for it before.

That service manual will be handy to have, Thanks for the link and suggestions.

El Toro · May 25, 2015

I had an over heating problem on my B&S engine in my Wards tractor. Here's what I found in the fan shroud. I don't keep cleaning rags out where mice can get to them. I used air pressure too and using some wire to snake out the blockage. Hal

JOB · May 25, 2015

I have been taking the shrouding off in the spring so I can see what is around the cylinders. I had to replace the coil because of over heating because I did not realize chaff builds up inside the shrouding. Or maybe mice build nests in there??????? Expensive lesson.

Ingersoll 446

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El Toro

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JOB

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