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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT-- b/S vanguard won't crank below 50 degrees

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Gene Davis (GA)

04-16-2005 19:40:20




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Posted this on the garden tractor site earlier and got no answers. Anbody else experienced this?Got a B/S 2 cyl "V" twin 18 Hp Vanguard engine that for some time has been almost impossible to crank below 50 degrees. Ths morning it refused to crank at all. It would occasionally sound like it fired, then nothing. Pulled the spark plug and hooked wire to it and grounded it,very red and weak spark. Choke fully closing and gas will wet the plugs. It wouldn't even fire off on ether today. Did not even pop. Has been getting worse and guess it finally has reached it dying point. Cranked up yesterday after the day warmed up and ran good and pulled OK. New to these engines, any suggestions or percularities to look for? Thanks for any advice you can share. Gene Davis

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RAB

04-17-2005 00:13:38




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 Re: OT-- b/S vanguard won't crank below 50 degrees in reply to Gene Davis (GA), 04-16-2005 19:40:20  
Nice easy one this to diagnose.
You say the spark is weak and red - and this is with the spark plug out of the engine! It will be worse when in the engine in a wet, fuel laden atmosphere, and possibly cranking much more slowly
You also say below 50 degrees - oil will be thicker, battery less efficient, etc.
Don"t know what the ignition system is (Flywheel, Ketteringham or electronic?) on the engine but, seems as though it needs some attention/alteration.
I would say first thing to try is to hook up a spare plug and see if it sparks (with the normal one in the cylinder) and then remove both plugs from the cylinders and test again (assuring correct battery levels etc). If the spark is good on the second test, improved cranking speed would help, and if not it is just the spark system.
Hope this helps.
Regards, RAB

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Coldiron

04-16-2005 20:22:27




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 Re: OT-- b/S vanguard won't crank below 50 degrees in reply to Gene Davis (GA), 04-16-2005 19:40:20  
Gene, How old is your battery? Have you tested your cells? My guess is that you are charging it but it won`t take a full charge. The spark on mine was real bad so put new Autolite 458 plugs in it. Cleaned the airfilter and reoiled it, changed the fuel filter and installed an inline cutoff valve up near the carb so I can cut the fuel off and run it out so it can`t sit and gum up the carb anymore. It started the first try so lady luck is with me for a while. I do those things every spring but this is the first time to change the plugs in quite a while. HTH Let us know how you do on it.

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Stickler

04-16-2005 23:24:22




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 Re: OT-- b/S vanguard won't crank below 50 degrees in reply to Coldiron, 04-16-2005 20:22:27  
I'll second that. Check the battery. Take it out and get it load tested if you don't have one. I have that engine in a Grasshopper ZTR Mower. Mine starts fine in summer with straight 30W in it, but they're supposed to be able to run in winter with lighter oil, so they should start easily in any weather.



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