Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues

1989gta · 09-30-2009, 12:43 PM

I have this engine on a 36 inch scag mower. Mower will start and run for a bit but will not throttle up at all.

I replaced the plug gapped to .030 has a bright blue spark.
I cleaned the carb out completely, jets and all.
I ensured the key on the flywheel is not sheared or broken.
I adjusted the valve lash .006
I adjusted the govenor. also check linkage adjustment.
I ran a compression test and the test yielded 40 psi this was after adjusting lash but the mower ran no better or poorer.

My question is how do i determine which valve or if the ring is the problem? I hooked air up in the spark plug hole and moved the engine to tdc but i can't tell what is leaking or hold the motor in the right spot long enough to ensure i'm hearing leakage.

nick

**Basementgeek** · 09-30-2009, 05:07 PM

i and welcome to TSF

Min compression for your engine is 71 lbs psi.

http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/engine_s...ompression.asp

Squirt some oil in the cylinder and see if the compression raises.

BG

1989gta · 09-30-2009, 08:11 PM

i sprayed some penetrating oil into the cylinder didn't seem to make much difference i gained 2 lbs if that tomorrow i will run it for a few minutes if i agrees with me and run the compression test

**Basementgeek** · 09-30-2009, 08:15 PM

You really need to use "regular oil" not penetrating oil as it is too thin. I know that will be hard to get it all over the cylinder.

BG

1989gta · 10-01-2009, 05:13 PM

are you thinking the ring is bad and the oil will take up that space?

1989gta · 10-01-2009, 08:20 PM

i had another thought what if i loosen the valves and rerun the compression test.

I did this and was able to achieve 90 psi and found out why the acr was included with this engine good news right. So that would suggest i messed up when i set lash on the valves right? Well i rotated the engine back to tdc and set the lash again confident i found one issue. I reran the compression test 40 psi again? I pulled out the tester rotated to tdc and checked lash my .006 feeler goes in snug what am i doing wrong????

1989gta · 10-01-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1989gta

are you thinking the ring is bad and the oil will take up that space?

your answering this question i would assume

**Basementgeek** · 10-01-2009, 08:56 PM

yes, on the oil question. I am thinking maybe the valve lash must be set when the engine is not on TDC.

I have nothing on Kawasaki engines. But I will look around.

BG

1989gta · 10-02-2009, 05:11 PM

i've got a manual for the engine. Today i loosened the lash out from .006 to .012 and the compression jumped from 40 to 58 psi.

09-30-2009, 12:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
1989gta Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis, Mn Posts: 6 OS: xp	Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues I have this engine on a 36 inch scag mower. Mower will start and run for a bit but will not throttle up at all. I replaced the plug gapped to .030 has a bright blue spark. I cleaned the carb out completely, jets and all. I ensured the key on the flywheel is not sheared or broken. I adjusted the valve lash .006 I adjusted the govenor. also check linkage adjustment. I ran a compression test and the test yielded 40 psi this was after adjusting lash but the mower ran no better or poorer. My question is how do i determine which valve or if the ring is the problem? I hooked air up in the spark plug hole and moved the engine to tdc but i can't tell what is leaking or hold the motor in the right spot long enough to ensure i'm hearing leakage. nick Last edited by 1989gta; 09-30-2009 at 12:51 PM.

09-30-2009, 05:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,467 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues i and welcome to TSF Min compression for your engine is 71 lbs psi. http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/engine_s...ompression.asp Squirt some oil in the cylinder and see if the compression raises. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

09-30-2009, 08:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
1989gta Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis, Mn Posts: 6 OS: xp	Re: Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues i sprayed some penetrating oil into the cylinder didn't seem to make much difference i gained 2 lbs if that tomorrow i will run it for a few minutes if i agrees with me and run the compression test

09-30-2009, 08:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,467 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues You really need to use "regular oil" not penetrating oil as it is too thin. I know that will be hard to get it all over the cylinder. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

10-01-2009, 05:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
1989gta Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis, Mn Posts: 6 OS: xp	Re: Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues are you thinking the ring is bad and the oil will take up that space?

10-01-2009, 08:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
1989gta Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis, Mn Posts: 6 OS: xp	Re: Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues i had another thought what if i loosen the valves and rerun the compression test. I did this and was able to achieve 90 psi and found out why the acr was included with this engine good news right. So that would suggest i messed up when i set lash on the valves right? Well i rotated the engine back to tdc and set the lash again confident i found one issue. I reran the compression test 40 psi again? I pulled out the tester rotated to tdc and checked lash my .006 feeler goes in snug what am i doing wrong????

10-01-2009, 08:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,467 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues yes, on the oil question. I am thinking maybe the valve lash must be set when the engine is not on TDC. I have nothing on Kawasaki engines. But I will look around. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

10-02-2009, 05:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
1989gta Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis, Mn Posts: 6 OS: xp	Re: Kawasaki FC420V gs14 14 hp running issues i've got a manual for the engine. Today i loosened the lash out from .006 to .012 and the compression jumped from 40 to 58 psi.