Need to replace the engine on my MTD log splitter and have some questions

[jodebg]

I have a 6hp B&S engine on a Yard Machine 25 ton splitter that looks as if it needs to be replaced.

What is involved in replacing the engine? Is it difficult to do for a first timer?
Is this a vertical or horizontal shaft engine?

Looking at the 6.5hp Predator brand engine sold at Harbor Freight.
Anyone have any experience with that brand?

 

[Tx Jim]

Is it difficult to do for a first timer?
Is this a vertical or horizontal shaft engine?

If you can't tell if you have a vertical or horizontal shaft engine you need to have someone replace engine for you.

 

[dave1949]

If you can't tell if you have a vertical or horizontal shaft engine you need to have someone replace engine for you.

Well, it's never a bad time to learn about these things and this is a good project to get started with.

Are you assuming the engine needs replacing, or do you know for sure? What is wrong with the engine?

 

[Baby Grand]

Will it run at all? Does it spew blue or white smoke?

 

[jodebg]

Thanks for the help.

I purchased this from the orig. owner at age 6-7 years.
Looked as if it had split quite a few cords, but overall seemed to run good and always start on 2nd pull with little resistance.
B&S Quantum XE 6.0hp.

The first thing I did was change the oil. Looked as if it had not been changed in a while-very dark. Second, I changed the air filter. Had never been changed-extremely dirty, but also loaded
with oil all around it in it's plastic housing.

Got everything cleaned up and used it for 2 seasons. Oil continued to leak from the air filter.

I run Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas and also recently tried a small amount of 2 cycle oil in the gas per advise of the forum.

This year I used it twice and oil leaked from the air filter while it was running and continued to leak after use. I noticed it began to pull a bit harder when I went to restart after refueling the last time out.
Went to use it yesterday and it pulled harder than usual and would not kick over at all. Checked the plug and it was clean, swapped plugs and still no start.

Then, the rope broke at the knotted end and I put it away.

Also, Last season I stored the splitter standing upright and strapped it to the wall to save space. Not sure if this may have hurt the engine to be stored with oil in it at 90 degrees from it's normal position?

 

[Baby Grand]

Do you use Stabil or similar fuel treatment in the gas? I had terrible problems with gumming in my gas carbs until I started using the stuff, myself. Did the engine get stored with fuel still in the tank, last season, or did you run it out of fuel before putting it away? I'm thinking that maybe a good carb cleaning will get you running again. Some folks on here have had good results with SeaFoam ...

 

[Tx Jim]

Well, it's never a bad time to learn about these things and this is a good project to get started with.

I agree most everyone that repairs equipment started learning on something small BUT my point is if OP doesn't know if he has a horizontal or vertical shaft engine he got a whole lot to learn and it could be a very expensive lesson

 

[Guesseral]

Will it run at all? Does it spew blue or white smoke?

Yea probably needs replaced, could be a broken ring.

As far as the Predator engine that is what I used and it is really a nice engine. I don't know how long it will last I would assume not as long as the B/S that was on it originally but at the cost of the predator who cares. My splitter was only a 22 ton and it had a 5 HP engine, I used the 212cc Predator engine which is 6.5 HP and it work very well my engine was just plumb worn out started hard and had no power it needed rebuilt but with the parts , the time to do it, and the time to order the parts it just wasn't worth it when the HF engines were sitting there already to go. I took the plunge I figured that for a $100 +/- after the sale and then the coupon and with the 2 year warranty what the he-l give it a shot. That was almost 2 years ago and it is still going strong I have no complaints.

Changing the engine out was no problem but I do this type of work all the time so that could be an unfair statement to make. The engine bolted directly to the splitter plate without any changes required. The pump and shield bolted directly to the side of the engine the bolt pattern was exact (almost an exact fit NOTE the almost) the shaft coming out of the engine was 1/2" longer than the original shaft so I had to make spacers and get 4 half inch longer bolts. Other than that all of the threaded holes in the engine and the shaft were the same. After that was all installed and I put the oil in I had to remove the recoil starter rope and advance it on bolt space to get the pull rope in the proper position, that would have been way easier had I done it before I bolted everything together but I didn't notice it.

A lot of people would not even try this because you can always get a bad (piece of junk) engine made in china, but that was why I got the replacement warranty with it.

Like I said this was easy for me because I have been doing this type of thing since I was old enough to pick up a wrench and common sense goes a long way. But if you really don't know the difference between a horizontal shaft engine and a vertical shaft engine you may want to enlist the help of someone else that could give a helping hand. I am not trying to be an *** I just wouldn't want you to do something wrong like ruin a hydraulic pump because that is possible.

 

[jodebg]

Looking at the set up, do I need to disassemble anything below the engine? Or, just remove the engine mounting bolts and mount the new engine?

I noticed that there are 2 different 6.5hp engine models at HF. Is one a better fit for this application?

Is there anything to disconnect/connect to the hyd. pump, dtc.?

Anytime carb adjustments needed, etc. to get the new engine running?

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Guesseral]

Looking at the set up, do I need to disassemble anything below the engine? Or, just remove the engine mounting bolts and mount the new engine?

I noticed that there are 2 different 6.5hp engine models at HF. Is one a better fit for this application?

Is there anything to disconnect/connect to the hyd. pump, dtc.?

Anytime carb adjustments needed, etc. to get the new engine running?

Thanks so much for your help.

I don't know of two different 6.5 HP engines at HF, the motor should start after gas and oil is in it. With the questions you are asking I think you should get someone else to help you.