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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Help?! Sturmey Archer engine oil lub doesn't seem to work

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Hello 

I seem to have a problem with my lube pump. When my engine is running I believe there has to be a flow of oil in that little chamber with the glass. 

But sadly there is now flow. I can see through a little hole that the pump is working and I'm quite sure the pump is getting oil but still there is now oil in the chamber with the glass. so I was wondering if anyone could tell me what I'm doing wrong or is it supposed to be that way? 

sorry for any bad English. Im just trying to explain as best as I can. 

kind regards Jaimy

 
 

Forums

Villiers Sun, 07/06/2020

Hi Jaimy,

Your oil pump should be set so it only drips. It does not flow. Somewhere about 20 drops per minute is a good starting point. I am only familiar with these engines when in a motorcycle not a lawnmower so don't know exactly. 

If in a motorcycle I would have it set so It gives a puff of blue smoke when revved. The piston should not have an oil control ring fitted but sometimes people do which confuses matters.

Please tell us what has been done to the engine.

Cheers, 

Mowtown Wed, 10/06/2020

Hi Jaimy,

What a superb restoration.  It inspires me to restore the mk 5 that I obtained about 15 years ago which is still buried in my shed under a plank - intended as a temporary shelf !

Mine is  A3589 so only 12 after yours.  Reading museum dated it as 1933.

The  User Working Instructions state that it was only the 16" 198cc model that had the sight feed oil pump, which should be set to give a faint blue smoke from the silencer when working, no mention made of drips per minute.   The 20" & 24" models had a dry sump circulating oil system.

I think these Sturmey Archer engines deserve a dedicated topic somewhere, any info seems to be spread around under motor cycle, horticultural machinery and lawnmower forums.

I am fortunate to live in Ipswich, where the Transport Museum holds a large amount of Ransomes publications and display of lawnmowers.

Regards, Mowtown Ken   

 

Jaimy The Belgian Mon, 15/06/2020

Hello 

The engine has been totally rebuild. 

I ran it for the first time 2 weeks ago, lots of smoke at first but slowly it stopped smoking. That is why I shut down the engine to prevent it from getting stalled. 

regards Jaimy