by KE4AVB » Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:40 am
Short cuts usually get me in trouble so I learn to avoid them. In this case it sounds like you had a rare tough problem to find but yes checking for fuel on dying engine is one step we all should check for as float valves do stick that why many have clips on them or the float. Can't always be bench test for either as sometime it takes the engine vibration to cause them to hang.
I admit I have very experience on the Vector carburetors as Tecumseh engines here are rare to come in the shop. I do have a couple customers now that have v-twins and they don't have problems with the engines except one time where the twin carb setup choke wasn't fully closing one side. Easily fixed.
The best advice I can give here is not get stuck on one thing and keep an open mind set to other possibilities. And here I do listen to my customers, fellow techs, people that only had similar problems, even people with no knowledge of repairs can suggest something that can be the source of problem. It like the recent Hustler that was throwing and breaking belts. I tried everything I thought of but the cause was staring me right in the face. Once my UPS driver sub mention that he had one that the hydro fan was the cause I checked and sure enough it was the problem. I even had a customer years ago when I was working on a desktop calculator out of curiosity what a component was. She unknowingly pointed to the cause of the problem and I had been over looking it for 30 minutes. It was a little embarrassing but I learn from that experience to have an open mind and to listen to others.
There will always be something I must learn a new way getting a repair done too. Like the removal a 6204 bearing outer race that was split half off and no easy way of getting a hold on it to pull it. I ended up destroy a few chisel tips but found a grind that worked on separating it. Now that problem is getting the bottom plate to seal. According to vendor I was supposed just use the paper gasket but was leaking after I added the gear oil on the bench. Broke it down again cleaned, spray RTV surface prep and applied RTV. Going to bench test again today since 24 hrs is up. Here's to hoping that this seals it. I did notice a white sealant on the mating surfaces when I initially cleaned them on it must had been a problem at the factory.
The truest measure of society is the how it treats its elderly, its pets, and its prisoners.