MR-LT1K Refresh

Went to mow yesterday and the starter made some noise not used to with this engine.  Carried on and I had to stop a few minutes later.  Went to get back to mowing and that cringy stripped starter gear noise.  I was like ugh, need to mow so I started tearing down the engine to put that last starter gear I have on hand on this starter.  Got the starter off and yep... chewed teeth.




Chewed teeth BAD!  Just because this does not happen to me that often, I decided to check out the flywheel gear.  Yep, chipped teeth.  I had no idea.



THEN.... to further complicate matters when I decided to pull the flywheel and put the parts one on, I realized my coil was missing a screw and it was dragging the flywheel.  Of the two screws to be missing, glad it was the one that was missing or the coil could have dug in and made more damage.  Instead it just drug on the flywheel.



Got the flywheel off and quickly saw that half the alternator is burned up?  Pretty bad at that.  





Back to the parts engine and snagged that as well.

Parts engine had a starter still on it, so instead of fighting to put a new gear on yesterdat, I kept that starter with its flywheel.  Old and needs serviced, but just strong enough to start the engine and finish mowing.

*Update... new starter gear installed on the starter.

Half of the charging coil on mutt is pretty burnt. I don’t know what happened but it still works so whatever. I wonder if that flywheel had been dropped or something at one time, or something got into the teeth while it was running. I’ve never seen that chipping happen naturally.

I was wondering the same.  My guess would be dropped.

As mentioned, the previous starter which was new to begin with has the new starter gear installed.



I also found that a pulley insert made a better install tool than the piece of tube I had.

Aren’t those clips wonderful? I’m not sure if I hate them more than the roll pin version or not.

I wonder if someone tried to put a metal starter gear on and chewed the flywheel up.

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

Aren’t those clips wonderful? I’m not sure if I hate them more than the roll pin version or not.

I wonder if someone tried to put a metal starter gear on and chewed the flywheel up.

Hadn't thought about that one,  Most of the chipped teeth are on one side.  I still think dropped and rolled a bit.  Not uniform on the chips.

OK, while I had the 18hp OHV single out of the mower and had some time to piddle with it. I have I think maybe resolved the issue. I know, I should know better, and I have preached this in the past.

So, the issue post rebuild. Ran horrible, seemed to have 'way too much" compression in the case. Only change to the engine was piston rings. It was REALLY hard to spin the engine by hand. Almost like it was locking up. I tore back into the engine and removed the piston. Removed the rings and checked clearance of them in the bore. (SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE) They were not in spec. (To my defense, I had always used Briggs OEM and was always in spec for me in the past) I didn't even think about it when installing this time. I found my box and install sheet for them and realized they were not briggs rings but chinesium made.


I had 2 avenues at this point. The only issue with the original rings was the oiler ring busted. New one seemed in spec so I left it on. Instead of filing down the new rings to be in spec, I put the original compression rings back on as they were fine upon inspection.

Engine is now back together, I still have good compression, but I can now turn the engine over like I could in the past. I haven't fired it up yet. I am helping a friend by mowing his yard to the house he bought last month. City is pestering him. Thought I could lend a hand until he got a mower. Once I get home, I'll see about moving the engine back tomorrow evening for a test.

Great news! The engine is running great again!!!

Mowed the front yard in the 102F degree weather LOL.

Good work @MightyRaze we're proud of you! Lol

I've mowed about 2/3 of the yard so far and only burned about 1/4 tank.  The oppy would have drank a tank by now.  LOL.  Be nice to mow a couple times on one tank instead of 2 tanks per mow.