Predator Engine Woes

suzukizone

New User
First time posting. I mounted a 212cc, 6.5HP Predator engine on a vintage Mighty Mac Shredder/Composter. Original engine was likely in the 3 HP range, I believe.
The engine starts up fine from cold, sits and runs at least 5 min OK but when I engage the belt drive, even before putting in compost, the engine runs for 1/2 min to 3 or 4 min but then shuts down sounding [u:899b0077b7]exactly[/u:899b0077b7] as if running out of fuel but bowl is full. Then won't start until the engine sits for 10-15 min. Fuel flow from tank more than sufficient to keep up with needs. Tank full, have pulled carb and cleaned thoroughly several times. The float level is not adjustable. Fuel is clean & fresh. No direct access to the vent in the cap tho have tried to be sure it's open with comp air and carb clean spray as best I could. (Have same result if I run with the fuel cap completely removed.) Spark plug looks OK, [i:899b0077b7]slightly [/i:899b0077b7]dark but engine never ran long enough to heat up and burn clean. Not so dark as to fire bad tho. Good wide spark although more to the yellowish color than bright blue/white.

When the engine does run, it sounds good and strong and when cold it starts up easily with a light pull.

Any ideas are appreciated or if I am in the wrong forum please advise if there is a more suitable forum.

Thank you so much.

DH
 
Have you verified that it DOES still have spark after it warms up and shuts down?

If no spark or weak spark when it stalls it could be a failing ignition module or low oil shutdown (IF so equipped).

If spark stays constant, it could be something really odd like a sticking valve or a valve seat loose in the head that moves when the head heats up.
 
(quoted from post at 16:08:01 07/03/21) Have you verified that it DOES still have spark after it warms up and shuts down?

If no spark or weak spark when it stalls it could be a failing ignition module or low oil shutdown (IF so equipped).

If spark stays constant, it could be something really odd like a sticking valve or a valve seat loose in the head that moves when the head heats up.

Thanks for your reply. I have written down those ideas.

On the other hand do you ever feel you are the subject of a surveillance of some sort from outside the known universe????

Right after posting I went out to see if the engine would operate better with the gas cap off. It did. Then I installed and tightened the gas gap. Kept running fine at idel, with no load for 5 min or so. I raised throttle up to about 3/4 speed (which is all I need for its job). It ran for over 15 minutes. So I engaged the drive belt and at the higher speed it ran the hammers on the shredder for another 7 or 8 min without missing a beat. I could not load any garden debris as it was showering and everything was pretty wet. I expect it will run fine when I do. I have no idea what was wrong, I really did nothing since I have been working on this issue other than what I had laid out in my original post.

If you or anyone knows which galaxy the alien surveillance is coming from, please let me know or notify agents Muldur & Scully at The X-Files.

Hopefully whatever it was has passed.

DH
 
(quoted from post at 14:58:00 07/05/21) Does it have a low oil saftey switch?

Reply to all on this thread. Seemed to have solved all the running problems by replacing the TORCH spark plug that came with it with a new NGK plug that was recommended at another site. Now runs just fine. Thanks to all who responded.

DH
 
One hint about running air-cooled engines: if you load them pretty good at low speed they will likely overheat and seize the piston. They are designed to run at or near top speed at high torque, so there will be enough cooling air. You are not gonna hurt it running at rated speed, nor are you saving it by loading it at low speed.
 
Spark plug is breaking down when it gets hot. Cools off and starts but after it runs engine dies. I have seen it happen. Acted just like it was running out of fuel,
 
(quoted from post at 23:29:39 08/17/21) Spark plug is breaking down when it gets hot. Cools off and starts but after it runs engine dies. I have seen it happen. Acted just like it was running out of fuel,

Put in Champion plug after removing the original Chinese plug. Still tricky to start but runs fine after it gets going. Seems to not want choke for startup but I tend to forget & put choke on for cold start. Need help with memory, have same brain I was born with. Looking to get newer model.

DH

Thanks
 

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