Starter Drag ? or Timing

[Len 0]

My 19.5 hp Onan turns over like I have A low Battery, Ive Changed batteries even had my charger on boost and it still turns over slowly Question is could this be due to starter drag since this problem did happen after working the engine hard on the last snow fall or could it be the timing? if it is timing what is the procedure for adjustments. Or is it something else that I may be overlooking. I'd hate to pull the motor to find out it isn't my starter.

[UCD 14]

If the Batt. is charged 12.5 volts + Check and clean all electrical connections between Batt and starter both neg and positive side If it still drags starter may be bad I.E. bad bearing allowing armature to short out.

[StanD 3]

On these ground cable goes to frame, try grounding directly to the engine, may have corroded or loose motor mount bolts. Also try it while holding the clutch in to eliminate drag in drive train. You may have bad bearings in lower clutch portion. As for timing there should be a tab on front clutch & a line on the rotor of front clutch. Tab has the marks on it. Correct timing is 20 degrees BTDC & can be timed with automotive timing light. The points do tend to get closer due to wear on the point fibre. That in itself should not make it turn over harder, actually easier. I put white paint on the line on clutch rotor so you can see it. Also if timing is retarded it will make for a very lazy response. StanD

[Guest]

In addition to what StanD stated when depressing clutch during start you are not turning hydrostat pump.

[richp 0]

You could have a dead cell or two in your battery. I have had battery's with 12 volts or more that wouldn't have any power due to a dead cell. Also, if your battery cables have overheated just once, they will not carry the amps needed to carry the load.

[DMedal 1]

you say you've changed batteries so I'm going to assume the battery isn't it. Still, if possible, try the battery in another tractor. (If you don't have more than one I bet you will) For the next step, disconnect the regular battery. Try this, with a known good battery and known good jumper cables, connect negative to the block on a nice shiny spot and TOUCH the positive connection to the starter. Expect a spark. If you get something more like arc welding you've got a bum starter. Does it turn over better now? if so, the starter's ok and something in your wiring is fritzed. If it does the same as before, the wiring is ok and the starter is in trouble. I'm assuming your engine has a separate starter solenoid and not one attached to the starter. Report back, ok? -Don

[Len 0]

First of all Thank you All for the suggestion's. Now the update I decided to pull the motor and give a good go through, I removed the starter and took it apart, it was filthy on the inside the brushes look great the contact on the armature were also clogged with dirt. Now I'm in the process of putting it back together Just a word of advice to everybody check all the bolts on your motors every nut and bot on my engine was lose including the head and block. I will let you guy's know if it worked and obviously if it doesn't I'll BE BACK asking more questions Once again thank you.

[Guest]

When you install the engine make sure you use a star washer on one of the engine bolts just as the factory did. This will insure the engine is grounded to the frame.

[Len 0]

Update Number 2 1)I ran 2 ground wires one too the frame and 1 to the motor. 2)I checked all the wires and contacts with an ohm meter and there are no broken wires or contacts. 3)tried different batteries / boosting from another battery / boosting from my charger 4)I tried using the key and also jumping the starter solenoid 5) STILL THE SAME SYMPTOM MOTOR STILL TURNS OVER AS IF MY BATTERY IS DEAD

[UCD 14]

Did you clean the batt. terminals and connections? A bad connection can cause a high resistance draw. If you did I would remove the starter and have it rebuilt.

[StanD 3]

Think you best check flywheel magnets to see if one came loose & is wedging against stator. Just a thought although not a very nice one. StanD

[DMedal 1]

maybe.... if you yank the plugs it should turn over easily by hand. (for obvious reasons don't try this with the plugs in and wires hooked up) if it isn't fairly easy to turn then it isn't a starter problem at all. might be nice to know. oh, and has this starter gotten hot recently? real hot I mean.

[Len 0]

The motor does turn over by hand so it isn't seized. And yes the motor did get hot when i was blowing snow the other day, the motor stalled out on me and then i couldn't get it started after that.

[Len 0]

Well I was looking for the problem at the wrong end of the tractor,my problem ended up being my rear electric clutch packed it in. here's some pictures
[img]/club34/attach/Len/100_0828.JPG[/img]

[img]/club3 4/attach/Len/100_0829.JPG[/img]

[img]/club34/attach/Len/100_0831.JPG[/img]
so after removing the motor 4 times and replacing the solenoid I find this problem now I can go out and clear the 7 inches of snow in my driveway. Thanks for all the advise. BE BACK SOON

[Len 0]

Oh ya 1 more pic of the inside
[img]/club34/attach/Len/100_0829.JPG[/img]