This Tecumseh 16 HP has really got me stumped

I've tried everything I can think of to get this engine running, there has to be something I am over looking , so if anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them. I've adjusted the valves many times but nothing changes by doing that. I don't see how a compression release could be causing it , anyway,, I'm stumped.

[@rjsolomon5934]

It is a centrifugal mechanism attached to the back of the cam gear that lifts the valve slightly when turning at low rpm -400 rpm. Without that release of compression, it comes up hard - the way it is doing.

[@Robbie..Ha-Navi]

i think the valves have a lot of sideways slop out of the factory . making them impossible to set . both mine just blow gas and air out carb till i got it right. and dont even bother with that plastic carb. it cant supple enough fuel when engine breaks in

[@SteveAZ711]

What compression should it have? Suck, squeeze, pop, phooey. No squeeze no pop phooey. Just an idea.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

with the old gauge it showed 75

[@jankotze1959]

You will sort it out, never seen a project that you don't win, good luck Vernon

[@MissouriOldTimer]

lol, I hope you are right.

[@GardenTractorBoy]

That seems very odd, we have never seen that problem on the Tecumseh's in our Bolens. I think you are right, it is time to take it apart to see what is going on. We had a very odd problem with a Wisconsin a couple of years ago, spent ages trying to work out what was was going on but when we took it apart it was obvious, the camshaft had snapped in half and sometimes both halves turned, other times only the driven end

[@robertjones3016]

These OH140-160 engines have a compression release mechanism on the exhaust lobe of the camshaft. 75lbs is not bad. It sounds like a vale timing issue to me.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I just gave up on it and parted it out, it's surprising how well parts sell for those old cast iron engines sell.

[@quintengiegas6330]

Hi Robert jones I have the same bolens as in this video and it’s spinning good when trying to start when I don’t give gas but when I give gas it’s not good is that normal?

[@txsviking]

Seams like the cam timing is off. It can't push air out through a closed exhaust valve so when no air is coming in when you put your hand over the carb, it spins easier.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

bad as I hate to, I'm probably have to take it off again and take it all apart and see if something is wrong inside like the timing as you said.

[@rjsolomon5934]

The compression release isn't releasing the compression!

[@MissouriOldTimer]

thank you for watching,, I sold it as it was so I no longer have it.. thanks for the information.

[@buzzsah]

spark?

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I know the spark didn't show up very good on the video but it's actually not too bad.

[@Robbie..Ha-Navi]

the valves are super hard to set. the carb are junk too. i run and small atv carb with double the jet size. i have 2 590 tecumsehs. they are beast. my favorite motor. but i spent weeks setting the valves, and im not sure why .

[@WallysPlace66]

It drives me bonkers when I can't figure something out. I wish I could help.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

it has me stumped too, I'm thinking there's more wrong than just the carb, spark or valves.

[@TheRoguelement]

I've owned a few of these in mostly the old mule of lawn and garden tractors the FMC Bolens H16 and even the XL or was it the Eliminator Q16 not sure if I remember that right ! You do realize you can go to Tractor supply and get the right valve to mount your up and down controls so they don't look like a 12 yr old did the job with household hardware...it really just sounds like you don't have any idea what your doing and judging by the look around your shop I'm almost certain you don't...I mean you removed a motor because of a spark plug ? Did you check the gap did you mess around with any screws on the carb. ? Let me know I will help you...

[@johnstrange6799]

Gotta be careful in this heat. I just pull started myself plumb wore out out there myself. I don't mind Tecumeseh, engines, and usually I've had no issues with most I've owned, but the ones that gave me a problem have always been a complete pain.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

that shop is very hot, I have a big furnace blower but it mostly just moves the hot air around.

[@johnstrange6799]

@@MissouriOldTimer Those blowers are great. I found like a NOS one a few years ago and mounted locking casters on it. I use it to dry my floor after mopping when it floods. They move so much air, but when it's hot and humid not much is gonna help.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@johnstrange6799 I have a small a/c to put in there but I doubt it will help in a metal building.

[@georgiaboy4410]

I have no idea. When I have trouble like that I walk away and mull on it awhile. I’m sure you’ll get it going👍🏻

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I hope you are right.

[@larrywolfe9786]

It could be the timing, because they have put plastic cam gears on them junk the pen shears in the cam gear

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@larrywolfe9786 I got tired of fooling with it so I took it off and am putting a B&S back on it.

[@larrywolfe9786]

@@MissouriOldTimer B/s10 times the motor

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@larrywolfe9786 I had this one on there before but I thought the tec. was a good one but after fooling with it for days and never getting anywhere, I decided to go back to the smaller B&S. which worked fine before. I gonna part that tec out on ebay, there's always someone looking for parts.

[@johnprice3720]

did u ck the valves

[@dukesworld3020]

Now you know why I hate Tecumseh engines. But I'm sure someone will know what it is.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I agree, they sure aren't my favorites either.

[@phillipmorris1334]

hello from the stormy ozarks vernon!! sounds like a timming issue. cotter pin on shaft ok? tight lines and cheers!!

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yep, they have storm warnings up by the lake. the flywheel key is ok.

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Valve timing 180 off? Puzzles me, too.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

the odd thing is, I had it running when I first got it, it started hard but ran fine. don't know unless it caught the virus. lol

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

70 something lbs of compression is getting low if im not mistaken it should be around 120 lbs As someone else said it seems Like you may have a valve timing issue possibly even a stuck stiff or slow valve Ive only ever seen one valve that wasnt completely stuck open or closed it would open normally because of being forced to by cam lobes but would close slowly because of carbon build up or something a quick shot of penetrating oil remedied the problem id also pull both valves and check em could be one em is bent also check for excessive wear on the valve and cam lobes

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yes, I am thinking it's something along those lines too.

[@DriveShaftDrew]

sound like bad valve timming exsausting to soon but also could be a weak spark

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I'm gonna be checking those out, I know I am getting tired of fooling with it. lol

[@daledavis3509]

Your electronic ignition aint doing its stuff.

[@ralphgoings2120]

Could your exhaust be restricted by mice activity.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I hadn't though of that, I'll be sure to check that out thanks.

[@TheShadeTreeFixitMan]

It does sound like a timing issue. Did you have the head off on this one?

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yes, as I remember I had to get another spring as one was broken.

[@Ellenslife851]

Sounds like it could be a timing issue most likely cam gear is off its timing mark

[@MissouriOldTimer]

yes, I think I'm gonna have to take the motor back off and look into it. it wouldn't be so bad if it didn't weigh so much.

[@Ellenslife851]

MissouriOldTimer Do you own or have access to a engine hoist that might be your best option love my engine hoist that I bought I would never be able to pull engines out of things without this

[@gregstillians5364]

Hello Vernon. I have two of these tractors, it sounds to me like your battery is down, once your battery is down to 63 percent it is not enough to start one of these Tecumseh' s

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I though it might be that too and I put a 2020 battery in it.

[@gregstillians5364]

If battery is 100 percent and the connections are good to the starter, do the next simple thing and do the starter test, starter may be going. Oh thought of one more thing check the belts if they are tight it could be hard to start. Hope something works MissouriOldTimer.

[@Oldvet1946]

What clearance are you setting the valves at?

[@MissouriOldTimer]

according to what I read it should be 5 thousands on the intake and 10 on the exhaust.

[@Oldvet1946]

@@MissouriOldTimer Try 4 and 8. I have run into this problem before. If that doesn't help set the exhaust to 6.

[@Slingshot277]

Hey mang. Did you ever get her figured? I have a Argo that’s doing almost identical issue. I believe it may have smashed a valve.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I finely gave up and put a different engine on it.