Starter-generator

[PaulK]

Finally gave up and sent my '69 (?) 3112H to the shop to get the B&S running. Shop redid carbuerator, ground valves, commented on how nice the cylinder appears, cleaned out the gummy fuel line, and now tells me the starter-generator is shot with a bad bearing, and needs replacement. Is $200 too much for this part? Oh, and I need a new battery, too. The other battery discussions I've seen here mention $15 ones. My mechanic is talking more like $100. Total estimate is up to about $800, (including labor & tax). Am I nuts to get this fixed, or would I be better off finding another (cheaper?) replacement tractor here on the classifieds?

[ambler]

Take the starter generator to a real starter rebuild shop. I have a couple in my area. They can rebuild it. My shop also checks out regulator as well cleans and regaps for $5. Get a 51R battery at Walmart for $40.

[ReedS]

Paul, a decent Wal-mart batt runs about $45 or so (this is an auto batt). Overhaul kits(bearings and brushes) can be found for about $25 for the starter generator and unless the either the field coil or the stator is shorted, usually the overhaul kit is all that's needed, Nuts to fix it, no. You just need to find a way to do it cheaper that's all, I'd say that your mechanic has a boat payment that's past due.............

[FrankieC]

quote:

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Originally posted by ReedS
I'd say that your mechanic has a boat payment that's past due.............

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Or a kid that needs new braces. :D

[KSever]

quote:

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Originally posted by FrankieC

quote:

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Originally posted by ReedS
I'd say that your mechanic has a boat payment that's past due.............

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Or a kid that needs new braces. :D

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Or child support due on the 1st

[D-17_Dave]

Or his wife just found out about his girlfriend.

[Brent_Baumer]

All jokes aside, around here I'd say you are getting ripped off. Bad bearing doesn't=new unit. Bearings are less than $10 for sure. If everything inside is shot - bearings, brushes, field coils, armature - everthing - those parts are about $70 total. Batteries are less than $50 for a 51R. These can be had at AutoZone, Advance Auto, Pep Boys, Wal-Mart etc. The work you describe on the engine and carb = $500 if my math is right. Also a ripoff. Carb kit is less than $10. The rest is labor. Shops around here are up to $55/hr. What you describe is less than 9 hrs work for sure. Brent

[gregc]

Brent, Where can you get the carb kits for less than $10? I'd sure like to find some at that price.

[JJ MARSHALL]

you should be able to replace the bearring your self even if it the rear bushing and it has worning in to the rear housing . you can buy the plate and bushing cheaper then that. if that SG will motor it's a good chance that it will charge JJ

[thedaddycat]

You can get a whole S/G off eBay for around $75 or so, unless they went way up lately.

[Mack]

Had a friends 10hp Kohler rebuilt by a dealer for $650.00 last year. That included the following- new piston,rings,rod,valves,gaskets,points,condenser and plug.Machine shop work and his shop work. $800.00 sounds way high to me.

[Brent_Baumer]

Greg - From my Simplicity dealer. Kohler kit between $7 and $8. Bought Briggs kits in the past for roughly the same if memory serves. Kohler throttle shaft kit from the dealer - $26 and change. Not much to the kit. Low speed, high speed and float needles plus gaskets. Briggs venturi/pickup tube or whatever it is called might add a few bucks. Been awhile since I bought one of those. Looks like the $17 kit on Jacks comes with a welch plug and the Venturi which I do no normally buy. Kinda hard to see in the tiny picture. What wears out on the welch plug? The venturi I can understand the needle seat but usually it jsut needs cleaned unless some idiot torked the needle down hard. http://www.jackssmallengines.com/carb_b.cfm Brent

[gregc]

Thanks Brent. I was referring to the Briggs carb kit for the 10 to 16 hp cast iron horizontal shaft engines. (guess I should have specified) The cheapest that I have found them is from Foley-Belsaw for about $11. Just wondered if you had found them for less.

[dav]

Here in southern New Hampshire, I paid $44 for brushes in the S/G and a new regulator at the local auto electric shop. The carb kit foe my B&S 23D was $29 at one shop("Ya can't buy a kit, only individual parts."(last time I bought from them)) and $24 from the local small engine shop(complete kit in one box). Don't know about engine work or parts...yet. The spare engine is high on the list of things to get done.

[gjh]

Paul: My SG on my 3412 seized a couple of years ago. Just the rear bearing/bushing actually. Pulled off in 10 mins, took off rear cover & had a local start gen shop use the special puller to get out the bushing. Waited while they did it, total cost was about $10, Then it wasn't charging & needed to replace the regulator. Found one at NAPA for about $40. As for the Flo jet carb, usually the lower jet (high speed?) leaks when the machine is shut off. Just put in a $2 fuel shut off in the fuel line, other wise worked great. These are simple machines, a little analysis & being handy with a wrench can save you big bucks! Shops in the Boston area are prob $60/hr & it adds up fast. p.s. I only paid $50 for the machine & prob have $200 in parts (mostly rear axle) & 6-8hrs of my labor in for the past 5 years. Good luck & be sure to ask away, there is a wealth of info on this web site!

[10HorseMan]

I too agree that you are getting ripped off. The generator should be able to be rebuilt at a good Starter/Gen. shop. I have had two rebuilt in the past and have had no problems with them.

[ZippoVarga]

Had my entire starter generator rebuilt with new top and bottom bearings, new brushes and a totally rewound armature (also balanced) and one field replaced for 158 bucks and they just took it back to repair their mistake on the charging side of the unit and are charging me nothing for this. My suggestion is to ask friends and family where they have had good electrical automotive service done in your community. Here in Central Indiana it's a place called Armstrongs. Would be happy to assist any one should they wish to use me as a go between to get their troubled starters/starter-generators repaired.

[PhanDad]

A new S/G available here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=66761&item=4311813772&tc=photo The JEBCO store also sells the replacement parts/kits mentioned in the responses above. Way to costly at your shop.

[Brent_Baumer]

Zippo - I haven't had luck with Armstrongs myself. I buy parts from Richmond Battery in Richmond. When I crunched my right arm a few years ago I had Richmond Battery totally rebuild a SG (all new parts inside including armature (the expensive part). $100 parts and labor. (needed 2 hands to do it so I had to take it to them). Before I knew how to repair one I took it to Armstrongs. It lasted about 30 days then they acted like they were being nice and only charging me for the parts the second time - over $100 again. I'll never go there again. Brent

[D-17_Dave]

Your problems surround really only minor problems combined ti make a surely exspensive bill. I'd say cut your losses with this guy and get it back. Then look for some alternatives for your repairs. I'm sure if you research and spend some time on here you'll be able to find your answers.

[PaulK]

Thanks for all the input! Knowledge is power. Now, if I had 12 hp on my own...

[goatfarmer]

About $125.00 to rebuild a S/G about a year ago,in Northern Indiana.