Hi Guys -
I've got an older LX277, purchased used in 2003. Its got quite a few hours on it now, but has always run really well. This past fall, the engine started acting up, almost like running on one cylinder. It was the last time I used it, so I figured it could wait until spring.
So, I've pulled it out of the barn. It started right up (little bit of blue smoke) and appeared to be running on both cylinders, but didn't sound the same, quieter, not a lot of power, even at WOT. I changed the plugs, and did a compression test on both cylinders. I got 125 PSI on the left side and almost 175 on the right (from drivers POV), which seems a little out of whack, but the min spec for the motor is 57 psi, so I figure I'm good. I went to mow just a little bit (had to replace deck bearing too), just to verify my new bearings and it has absolutely no guts.
Any other idea what might be going on? About 4 years ago, the top of the motor got covered with dandelion seeds and the engine got really hot. cooked the oil pretty bad, but the engine seemed ok. The only thing that was different is the engine rev'ed higher when going downhill. Could I have damaged something that is just showing up now? Oil level currently is good.
I'm thinking about pulling the carb apart and cleaning it, but I don't think that is the issue. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
I've got an older LX277, purchased used in 2003. Its got quite a few hours on it now, but has always run really well. This past fall, the engine started acting up, almost like running on one cylinder. It was the last time I used it, so I figured it could wait until spring.
So, I've pulled it out of the barn. It started right up (little bit of blue smoke) and appeared to be running on both cylinders, but didn't sound the same, quieter, not a lot of power, even at WOT. I changed the plugs, and did a compression test on both cylinders. I got 125 PSI on the left side and almost 175 on the right (from drivers POV), which seems a little out of whack, but the min spec for the motor is 57 psi, so I figure I'm good. I went to mow just a little bit (had to replace deck bearing too), just to verify my new bearings and it has absolutely no guts.
Any other idea what might be going on? About 4 years ago, the top of the motor got covered with dandelion seeds and the engine got really hot. cooked the oil pretty bad, but the engine seemed ok. The only thing that was different is the engine rev'ed higher when going downhill. Could I have damaged something that is just showing up now? Oil level currently is good.
I'm thinking about pulling the carb apart and cleaning it, but I don't think that is the issue. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!