Could anyone talk me through how to do an engine overhaul on my 129?
I know this is aLOT to ask - probably too much (?) since I would need a good amount of guidance. I'm not afraid to tackle jobs - and love when I can do them and everything turns out right - but, as I've shared in other threads, I do not have a whole lot of, shall we say, natural mechanical ability. Mechanically challenged would probably be the politically correct term!
A quick review of what is happening....starts hard (getting worse), then runs ok but just doesn't sound right...seems like it runs very hot for one thing...also not enough power....struggle to mow, etc....then - after about an hour, the engine seems fine.
I have to do something soon. Mowing is becoming increasingly difficult since it bogs down in the higher grass...sounds like it wants to stall unless I stop and let the RPM pick up again. And, needless to say, I'm blowing out alot of oil. The mark on the dipstick is typically down about half way after running the tractor for my approx. 90-minute yard mowing. I can't imagine plowing snow off my driveway this coming winter will go any easier than the mowing is. I don't want to damage or ruin the engine by continuing without some major service to it. I'm assuming it's worth it to do it. When I look at the new garden tractors at places like Lowe's, etc. I'm not all that impressed. The other issue with mine is that it does leak transmission fluid - have been keeping a pan under the trans for years, and I make sure to keep the fluid level up. Replaced the gasket on the back once, although it's not leaking there - it's coming from underneath the trans - hard to pin down exactly where.
The other option is to find someone locally to work on it. The one repair shop that worked on my tractor a few years ago did not impress me. There was one specific thing I told them to look for (ACR issues due to hard starting) and they completely missed it. Unfortunately, my IH dealer whom I've been getting service and parts from for as long as I've had the tractor no longer does overhauls.
So.....thanks for any suggestions...(other than good luck LOL)
|