Need Help with Robin Engine

Schultz · Aug 31, 2004

Thanks, for the reply Jack. I would have thought 3000 hrs would require a lot of special attention or just luck, not to mention 6400 hrs.

pajoube · Aug 31, 2004

Wonder if that person left the key on and the hour meter kept running?
PJ

JackRobin · Aug 31, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Wonder if that person left the key on and the hour meter kept running?
PJ )</font>

It's possible, you never know, that's what the tachometer stated. The unit was serviced frequently by one our best Service Centers in this area and personally I think it was legit.

As an addition I want to say that we had a customer in Florida with the 6100W Robin generator, this unit had 7600 hrs. on it and still ran perfectly, 11hp engine.
I think this customer will be featured in our next Robin News magazine.
This gentleman used this unit almost 24/7 on a trailer with a horse in it, I guess he used it to power the A/C for the horse. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So, all in all this is possible.

Regards,

Jack Gawecki
Robin America, Inc.

pairodime · Aug 31, 2004

Thanks, Jack. This explains why I'm having continuing problems!!! Even after insulating the fuel line and filter and having replaced my pump, the "vapor lock" symptoms continue. Turns out the distributor gave me part 248-62201-00 for the smaller engine instead of a 280-62201-00. They looked exactly the same to me, except for a painted blue dot on the original. The part guy made a big deal about whether I had a blue dot, but no one could explain its significance. I think I may have been duped /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I'm mad about that, but madder at myself for not noticing the part discrepancy until now /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Jack, I need the right part.

Schultz · Sep 1, 2004

That was the first thing that came to mind when MR said that's 24hrs for 267 days.

JackRobin · Sep 1, 2004

The part with a blue dot on it indicates the stronger fuel pump. The correct part# 280-62201-00

Regards,

Jack Gawecki
Robin America, Inc.
Technical Support Dept.
800-277-6246

BobRip · Feb 10, 2005

Jack, what is the rated pressure and/or flow of the fuel pump. I pulled the hose off of the output and at idle the pressure was very low. I could not measure it on my pressure guage, not even a flicker. There seems to be a miss when the engine idles for a while. I realize this is not like a car fuel pump, so I need a little help in diagnosis.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bob Rip

JackRobin · Feb 11, 2005

Bob,

You should be getting approximately 2PSI of pressure coming into the carburetor from the fuel pump. If you feel that this pressure is too low, it is most likely caused by two things.

1. The diaphram inside the fuel pump is raptured or damaged.

2. Your oil level in the crankcase is too high and is covering the negative pressure valve that is a part of the crankcase. The fuel pump is feeding off this negative pressure valve, if your oil level is covering that valve, the pressure of the fuel pump is very weak.

These are the two things that I can think of at the moment. Please check into this and let me know.

Regards,

Jack Gawecki
Robin America, Inc.
Technical Support Dept.
800-277-6246

J_J · Feb 11, 2005

Someone else had a similar problem a while back, and I suggested that they take the hose from the carb side fuel filter, and run a hose to the filter and place in a container to catch the fuel from the fuel pump when it is running. If you have another small tank, attach the hose to the carb and put some fuel into the tank. If you hold the tank high enough, gravity alone should be enough to start and run the engine. With the engine running, look at the flow from the fuel pump to see if it enough. On my Kohler, the fuel solenoid shut off valve would pick up some debris and cause the engine to not run right.

BobRip · Feb 11, 2005

Jack, thanks for the info. I checked the oil level and it is right on the top mark. I will pull the pump tomorrow and check it. Clint Blake found some loose screws on his. He disassembled it and cleaned it. The last report I had was that it is working OK. Anyway, I will check mine tomorrow.

Bob Rip

BobRip · Feb 12, 2005

Hi Jack, I took the pump off today. The diaghrams looked OK. I cleaned the check valves. Then I found some oil between the diaphram and the engine vacuum port. I cleaned this out and then reassembled the whole thing. I ran it around the property and it ran fine. It seemed to run better when cold than it had before. I suspect the oil in the pump was reducing the pumping action. Can you confirm this? I did not do a flow or pressure test, only a driving test. Oh, I did put a vacuum pump on the inlet and it held a vacuum and then put a little pressure on the outlet and it held the pressure.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Bob Rip

JackRobin · Feb 14, 2005

At some point in time the oil level in your engine must have been slightly too high, that's what caused oil in the pump. I'm glad everything is up and running now.

Regards,

Jack Gawecki
Robin America, Inc.
Technical Support Dept.
800-277-6246

Bob999 · Feb 14, 2005

Jack,

What is the spec for the Robin engine as to how far out of level it is designed to operate? I am wondering if even with the oil at a "normal level" if the tractor is operated on slopes steeper than the design value that it could cause oil to be ingested into the fuel pump?

BobRip · Feb 14, 2005

I have a 25 degree slope that I occasionally drive on. I am very careful about the oil level so I suspect the slope may have done it. I have about 400 hours on the engine and have driven on the slope dozens of time. It could be a little gets in each time I drive up the slope.

Bob Rip

MuncyBob · Feb 15, 2005

I too have some slopes in that range...I primarily drive down them though....does it make a difference to anything on the PT if you drive up or down a slope(as far as any potential harm to the engine, pump, etc).?

pequeajim · Feb 15, 2005

I drive down the slope in my back yard, (20+ degrees). It is configured in such a way that I can mow a pattern that starts on a gradual slope and I end up at the top of my steeper slope. I then just mow down the hill.

I did take the tractor up the hill, but by the time I get to the top, it is struggling a little with the 60" deck.

Jim!

BobRip · Feb 18, 2005

Jack, I just wanted to make it clear that this did not stop the engine from operating normally. It just had some missing if idled for a few minutes. I am very picky and I like things to work as well as they possibly can. I believe this makes things last longer, and I am more satisfied.

Bob Ripley

PCW · Jun 17, 2005

If you talk to a Robin Rep, Probably the first thing he will tell you is to do away with that engine mounted fuel pump, I have had to replace the engine in my 2422 and the eh72 came with a pump mounted to the side of the engine, I had added an electronic fuel pump and no longer have fuel vaporizing problems

BobRip · Jun 17, 2005

I found that there were sparks jumping around the insulation boot on the spark plug to the engine. I taped this up and I have not seen any more problems.

Does the electric pump help with starting. Having pressure earlier might do that.

Bob Rip

pajoube · Jun 17, 2005

PCW
Welcome to TBN and the PT family.
We don't hear from many that own a 2422, what part of the country do you live? Have you owned your PowerTrac long?
Thanks for sharing.
PJ