I have never seen a water cooled small engine or for that matter worked on a twin cylinder one. With you working on it and explaining the work being done this is going to be a good series.Who needs TV when we have You, Zippo and DonyBoy on TH-cam.
Thanks so much. By the way I am doing a valve grind soon with my new tolls. it is only a 4HP. I hope the valves aren't too small for the spring compressor.
Hi Bruce, I just picked one up in great shape but is displaying some of the same issues. I appreciate this video. I might have some questions later if you do that? thx Chris
Good luck with this one. I just completed work on LX178 that I bought for parts. Runs so sweet that I'm making it my new mower. You're fortunate that the hood is intact. Mine came in about 8 pcs but I'm trying out an epoxy and bracketing on underside of joints.
Ray, think about buying a replacement cap off ebay. I damaged mine and had to wait for it. You can also remove the vent cap and drain. There are two separate chambers to the tranny with a magnet between the two to collect shavings. I split mine apart to replace the right axel and don't remember if the magnet can be removed (not enough diameter to the fill hole???). Anyway, good luck and I look forward to hearing how you make out.
Hey Bruce. Have you done any videos on replacing the drive belts on lawn tractors? I have Simplicity Broadmoor 2014, with missing chunk of rubber gone from drive belt. Any tips you have? Thanks,
This one is for a main drive belt on a John Deere 180. The first part of the video is me snipping of the corner of some metal in the way. The second part is the belt replacement. It is an older video but it may help. The problem is the belt has to wind its way around bars and brackets that have to be loosend on one side to put in the belt. Deck belts are easy. here is the video. th-cam.com/video/kXGM7VcD8HY/w-d-xo.html
Bruce Pender the one on the bottom of crankshaft making all kinds of scraping noise when I engage and disengage. Can't seem to find any lubrication points so don't know if it's a throw away or what
My new snapper 2342fab SPX says to put 13# in the front tires and 10# in the rear tires. The tires on my snapper are about the same size as the tires on your Johnny, so the air pressures should be about the same. They also put the valve stems on my front tires on the inside and that sucks. My old early 1990's LT20 had them on the outside because I had to constantly put air in them before I put tubes in them.
Hi Bruce. My LX178 is my favorite mower. But suddenly, she wants to lay down on me after running about 20 minutes. Then I go out after an hour or so and she starts up and runs for another 20 minutes before shutting down. This sounds like a coil problem, but maybe you have other ideas? Thanks. P.S.- I replaced the fuel pump last year.
How often do we overlook the simple things? I noticed that the gas cap vent hold had dirt in it. Cleaned it out with a paper clip and shot some air through it. Good as new. I guess it was taking 20 for pressure to build up- then pressure was dying back as everything cooled down? Thanks again! Tom
Oh new baby. Needs air con ;-). I was surprised with the tires they looked inflated. Hope its something simple as it looks in great condition, you could treat yourself to a new seat then ;-)
Hi Bruce I’m the go to guy in my neighborhood for small engine repair, love helping others. I don’t do it for money, but I had a lady down the street tell me she was 20 minutes into cutting her lawn when the oil dip stick blew off and oil was all over the mower. I’ve never seen that before, any ideas? I’m thinking head gasket but how could that kind of pressure build up in the case with a breather?
it seems strange that it's had a new air filter but now running so poor, and very rich. is the choke auto via the coolant temp and stuck on! or maybe over fueling from carb due to float bowl fault! I think it will be a simple fix and a great ride on mower. You can't go wrong Bruce.
Years back my father had a JD self propelled lawnmower with a Kawasaki engine. Electric start, oil filter on it too. It was a great mower that lasted many many years.
I have never seen a water cooled small engine or for that matter worked on a twin cylinder one. With you working on it and explaining the work being done this is going to be a good series.Who needs TV when we have You, Zippo and DonyBoy on TH-cam.
Thanks so much. By the way I am doing a valve grind soon with my new tolls. it is only a 4HP. I hope the valves aren't too small for the spring compressor.
It should work great..i used it a lot on 3 1/2hp Briggs L head engines. Those were the days.
Thanks George
I was thinking the same thing George. That small of a garden tractor with water cooling must be a rare option.
They make good snowblowers with a cab a the cab can be heated by the hot antifreeze
Hi Bruce, I just picked one up in great shape but is displaying some of the same issues. I appreciate this video. I might have some questions later if you do that? thx Chris
Ok. I will keep the answer short as these days I am getting a lot of requests.
Good luck with this one. I just completed work on LX178 that I bought for parts. Runs so sweet that I'm making it my new mower. You're fortunate that the hood is intact. Mine came in about 8 pcs but I'm trying out an epoxy and bracketing on underside of joints.
Yes they hoodis flimsy buy all together. Part 2 is coming next friday
Been wondering what you've been up to lately... Now I know!!! This is going to be fun to watch!!
Thanks Andrew
For that amount of money, I'd expect a radio installed!!!
thank you for explaining and demonstrating what you're doing, It's a Godsend for beginners like myself.
Yes be careful but also remember to enjoy what you do.
Wow - what a nice machine - and what a cool project. Cant wait to see the flicks. Great weekend to you, Bruce.
Thanks Claus
Looks like a very nice machine Bruce. Hope it all goes well
It actually is.
For what it cost new ..I would hope the repairs will be affordable
We will find out
I have the john deere 190C and my k46 transmission went on it. What do you think about the upgrade k66 transmission.
Temporary is an hour, 75 hours is almost two years. It works Ray.
Van Alstyne Thank you so much I have nothing to lose I will give it a try. I will let you know. Thanks again
Ray, think about buying a replacement cap off ebay. I damaged mine and had to wait for it. You can also remove the vent cap and drain. There are two separate chambers to the tranny with a magnet between the two to collect shavings. I split mine apart to replace the right axel and don't remember if the magnet can be removed (not enough diameter to the fill hole???). Anyway, good luck and I look forward to hearing how you make out.
Van Alstyne Will do. So far so good. Thanks
Hey Bruce. Have you done any videos on replacing the drive belts on lawn tractors? I have Simplicity Broadmoor 2014, with missing chunk of rubber gone from drive belt. Any tips you have? Thanks,
This one is for a main drive belt on a John Deere 180. The first part of the video is me snipping of the corner of some metal in the way. The second part is the belt replacement. It is an older video but it may help. The problem is the belt has to wind its way around bars and brackets that have to be loosend on one side to put in the belt. Deck belts are easy. here is the video.
th-cam.com/video/kXGM7VcD8HY/w-d-xo.html
Bruce I have a 1995 John Deere LX 188 with a squeaky/scrapy drive clutch. Is there any way to lubricate that?
Aren't they a Hydro or do you mean the deck clutch? Sorry.
Bruce Pender the one on the bottom of crankshaft making all kinds of scraping noise when I engage and disengage. Can't seem to find any lubrication points so don't know if it's a throw away or what
It is for the deck drive. Take it off after removing the belt and see if there is dirt in it. Take pics as you go.
My new snapper 2342fab SPX says to put 13# in the front tires and 10# in the rear tires. The tires on my snapper are about the same size as the tires on your Johnny, so the air pressures should be about the same. They also put the valve stems on my front tires on the inside and that sucks. My old early 1990's LT20 had them on the outside because I had to constantly put air in them before I put tubes in them.
Yes. My manual says 10 in the front and 8 in the rear (I am going by memory right now.
Very nice tractor! I've never seen a lawn tractor be liquid cooled before, pretty cool!
There are a few out there. John Deere makes a few.
Looks to be a very interesting project Bruce!
It is. Thanks
Hi Bruce. My LX178 is my favorite mower. But suddenly, she wants to lay down on me after running about 20 minutes. Then I go out after an hour or so and she starts up and runs for another 20 minutes before shutting down. This sounds like a coil problem, but maybe you have other ideas? Thanks. P.S.- I replaced the fuel pump last year.
Well if I remember there are 2 coils. Maybe not. One should still keep it running but missing. I think fuel pump???
How often do we overlook the simple things? I noticed that the gas cap vent hold had dirt in it. Cleaned it out with a paper clip and shot some air through it. Good as new. I guess it was taking 20 for pressure to build up- then pressure was dying back as everything cooled down? Thanks again!
Tom
Oh new baby. Needs air con ;-). I was surprised with the tires they looked inflated. Hope its something simple as it looks in great condition, you could treat yourself to a new seat then ;-)
Yes if I don't spend to much on the repair she will get new tires and a seat.
Is this a FD590V engine? Have you ever done the cam shaft swap on these? I have one and I want to swap it out myself.
No I am sorry I haven't.
A good tip I put a weight on the seat to start the mower to keep it running while I work on it.
I should run in neutral. Depends on the model. As soon a you pull the blade engage it will quit
Hi Bruce
I’m the go to guy in my neighborhood for small engine repair, love helping others. I don’t do it for money, but I had a lady down the street tell me she was 20 minutes into cutting her lawn when the oil dip stick blew off and oil was all over the mower. I’ve never seen that before, any ideas? I’m thinking head gasket but how could that kind of pressure build up in the case with a breather?
The breather may be plugged. If the oil cap was loose it may fly off on its own. Just take a nice slow look at it. Good luck
From what I can see it looks nice and clean. Paint looks good too. Let's hope there's nothing too much wrong with it.
Thanks for watching George. Part 2 next friday
it seems strange that it's had a new air filter but now running so poor, and very rich. is the choke auto via the coolant temp and stuck on! or maybe over fueling from carb due to float bowl fault! I think it will be a simple fix and a great ride on mower. You can't go wrong Bruce.
Yes it is running so rich it hardly runs. Next week I will find out more.
I didn't know JD would dare to use a cow-a-saki engine.That's a shame.
They use a lot of them actually. My other JD has a 17hp Kawasaki
Years back my father had a JD self propelled lawnmower with a Kawasaki engine. Electric start, oil filter on it too. It was a great mower that lasted many many years.
Back in the day the Kawasaki was an upgrade option.
I had no idea that that engine would produce 200 psi.
Right. The gauge is good I just tested a little flathead 3.5 HP with no compression release at 90PSI
Those Kawasaki's are good engines. I hope the issue you find is a small one. Too bad it's on a JD! lol...you know I had to! Cheers my Friend!! Sean~
I thought of you when it came in Zippo would love the colour. Wait till you see what I find.
5500 was a lot of coin in 96! I didn't realize they were that much.
It is a lot of coin now too, hahaha
those are nice that a customers YOU fixing?
first i've seen with the grass discharge on the left of the driver.
It is a full mulcher no chute. Sorry I missed your comment, ive been down
Good compression, so you're half way done to a good running mower.
I am. 200 lbs. It is a little hot rod.
nice tractor.
It runs great now.
Good Video
Part 3 tomorrow. You will totally understand the sequence off events.
High compression engine that is why it's water cooled.
Right. They run hot too.
thanks Bruce ...
WOW that was an expensive tractor. LOL
As you know the cost of taking it to a dealer would be more than the tractor is worth. $100 an hour $800 a day.
Lol another one with the 180
They are brothers.