Servicing atco balmoral
Hello again.
My balmoral 17s hunts at idle and only runs well at mid throttle and above. From reading this forum I think my mower may have a Tecumseh engine with a black rectangular plastic air filter cover . I think the mower is from 1999. Should I begin by cleaning the carb with carb cleaner? I found a comprehensive Tecumseh engine manual elsewhere on the forum.
I also think the mower requires sae30w oil but I am hoping a multi grade synthetic 5w30 will be OK as I have a fair bit kicking about, rather than buying other oil just for the mower.
Thanks.
Forums
The oil was thick with metal
The oil was thick with metal sludge. Also the drain is very inconveniently placed so it runs all over the machine, quite tempted by an extension tube for the future.
Carb is next.
If it really is " metal
If it really is " metal sludge" , I'd be more concerned about that than a bit of spilt oil - the future may be limited.
A bit of an exaggeration,
A bit of an exaggeration, dark, thick and a little metallic at the end.
Running like it's new with
Running like it's new with fresh oil! I'm amazed, doesn't seem to be hunting much now either.
May be worth getting it good
May be worth getting it good and hot then draining and refilling to get rid of any lurking sludge.
Yes, the carburettor needs a
Yes, the carburettor needs a thorough clean. Carb cleaner is a start but you may end up having to go the ultra-sonic cleaner route.
The snag with using 5/20 oil is that its formulated for multi cylinder water cooled engines, not a hard working single pot air cooled one. That said, if you are going to use it, check the oil level religiously as it may consume oil quicker than you expect.