782 getting hot

[danfeste]

Can't tell from your picture, but does this 782 have the screen behind the lower grill? Even though its a screen it can cause overheating issues.

[Beags86]

Yes, I stripped is down of all panels and washed it down really well. Just to clean it if nothing else.
I checked the plugs, they are a correct color brownish color that a well tuned engine should be. So it's not a lean condition.
So I am at a loss here. I can mow 3/4 of my yard (1.5 acres) and it will get hot. The finish off the last, a few hours later.

Yes, it has a screen behind the grill. Should I remove it to see what happens?
I really want to put the side panels back on and not look like the hillbilly I probably really am.

[danfeste]

I would try removing the screen, there was a service bulletin about removing them on the early 82 series. The later models didn't come with them. I would also pin the governor shaft if the engine has been getting hot. When those engines get overheated the shaft gets loose and can come out and drop the governor gear down into the engine. I have one sitting in my shed that did that. There was also a service bulletin about that as well.

[john hall]

Originally Posted by Beags86

Yes, I stripped is down of all panels and washed it down really well. Just to clean it if nothing else.
I checked the plugs, they are a correct color brownish color that a well tuned engine should be. So it's not a lean condition.
So I am at a loss here. I can mow 3/4 of my yard (1.5 acres) and it will get hot. The finish off the last, a few hours later.

Yes, it has a screen behind the grill. Should I remove it to see what happens?
I really want to put the side panels back on and not look like the hillbilly I probably really am.

Did you pull the side panels off the machine? Yeah that will help, but I think folks are suggesting removing the engine tins. If they have never been off, its probably pretty dirty in there. You may be able to pull them with the engine in the tractor, probably a couple bolts down toward the bottom that will be a pain to remove.
How about the belly screen or whatever you call the one that keeps crap from the deck getting up into the frame and getting sucked inside the engine.

[Beags86]

When I said I removed the panels, I was talking about the engine tins. Sorry, for the confusion. I actually have done this twice in the year and half I have owned it.
Once shortly after I bought it. I powered washed it with the farms powerwasher. I am talking a 3000 psi powerwasher here. That engine was spotless. It looked like it had never been done to that current engine.

Speaking of which, this thing has been repowered by Magnum 18. In case anyone missed it.

Anyway I also took the tins off after it was suggested to me in the thread to confirm nothing built a nest over the winter. No problem getting the tins loose.
It was still clean.

I never have messed with the belly skids.


So my question is. If it's a screen or skid, that fixes the problem. Fine... It's fixed..... But why did it never overheat last year when it was getting used..... Something is still amiss here...


Edit: the machine side panels are off right now. The engine tins panels are bolted back in place.

[danfeste]

What is the condition of the engine oil? If its too low or too dirty it can cause excessive added friction which will raise engine operating temperature.

[Beags86]

Engine oil was just changed in the spring.
So roughly 13-15 hours on it. Checked the other day, still pretty clean. And level is correct.

[Terry C]

Did you try removing that screen behind the grill?

[olds45512]

For something that should be simple it has drug on for 6 pages now. It can really only be one of 2 things, either the engine is running very lean or there is a restriction in the air flow that cools the engine. If you are positive that the carb is clean and adjusted properly then that only leaves one thing left. You need to find the restriction and take care of it. I believe those engines have plastic fins on the flywheel, are they still in good shape and clean? Is the flywheel screen clean? Did you remove the mesh from behind the grille?

[Beags86]

Have not mowed with it since it was suggested to take off the front screen. I'll try that.