What the heck!!!

[outdooz]

I am working on getting a lawn mower engine to start.
Its a Tecumseh OHV15 Model 204025a
The last time it ran was last year. And it ran fine. But after a year it needed some minor repairs like
- New battery
- Throttle cable was broken
- New Tire (they were old tires when it ran)
- New starter button. instead of key
- And minor clean up.
My first probem came with the carbuator. It was all gunked up. So I cleaned that and all was good. So today I noticed that when I turned the flywheel water started dripping out some where near the front of the engine (Couldn't tell exactly where) So I drained the oil and found half of the oil to be water. Water poured out of it for a few seconds then the oil came. So some how I got water in my oil.
What should I do so that when I start it the water wont kill the engine?

 

[Russ2251]

As long as all the water is out, you'll be fine.

 

[outdooz]

As long as all the water is out, you'll be fine.

Is there a way to get the water totally out?

 

[jrmints1415]

If there is little water it should be fine. If you wanted to take all of it out you could remove crank case and give it a quick cleaning. It should be fine though

 

[Bluethunder3320]

let everything drain, then put in new oil. the water will evaporate over time once the engine is running and hot.

 

[redsox985]

Take out the drain and fill plug as well as spark plug and let it sit for a while to dry a bit, if you don't feel like cracking the case.

 

[Cstyle00]

Lol, that reminds me of the time my poor aunt tried to put some water in her brand new Kia b/c it was running a little hot. She put the hose pipe directly into her valve cover and filled it to the rim. She said she saw the symbol on top and though it was a measuring cup. I told her it was, to measure how much oil your putting in, lol. My dad went and drained it all out and now it runs fine, has been for the past four years.

Anyway, Outdooz, get that mess out of there which I'm sure you have, leave the drain plug out and waste a 1/2 to a quart of oil pouring it in and letting it run straight out, the oil won't mix with the water of course but it will push out some of that mess you have in there now and it will make you fell better. Fill with fresh 10/30 oil (straight 30 if your way up North or if its under 40 degress during the day).

Anytime I start a motor that hasn't been started in a while or a new engine I like to take the spark plug out and put a little oil on the piston head. I use a staw with my finger on the end but use whatever, eyedropper or straw. About 5cc's or around a teaspon or little more. Clean spark plug and re-install. Then fire that bad boy up. The remanding water will evaporate as it gets hot and makes it to the top end. Parts will get oiled as needed. Change the oil after you run it for a while, around 3-5 hours riding or working on it. That will get the old oil out now all will be fresh.

And next time you park a motor for a while drain the gas and let it run till it stops. Or get a gas conditioner such as Sta-bil and put it in using the raito. I like Sta-bil because it keeps the gas good for a year and if you over do it a little it won't cause damage or smoke like Sea-foam, which is more a cleaner anyway. Rest-a-sure the water won't be the problem if there is one when it rumbles. L8r

 

[Russ2251]

Is there a way to get the water totally out?

No. Simple answer is to just run it at max governed speed with fresh oil until it reaches operating temperature.
Any remaining water will just boil off. No harm done...Promise!
I've seen much worse and survived it.
A multi-cylinder engine would be a much larger concern and would require a different approach.

 

[outdooz]

Ok thanks guys.

Sounds like it will be running in no time just need to get some new carbuator gaskets.

 

[daniel7250]

Hey mate. for Carb gaskets you can just use the ol cereal box approach, use the old one as a template and cut the card to be the same size and shape. Thats what i done with mine and has been running without leaks for months .

 

[outdooz]

Hey mate. for Carb gaskets you can just use the ol cereal box approach, use the old one as a template and cut the card to be the same size and shape. Thats what i done with mine and has been running without leaks for months .

Really? This sounds good because the only website I can find the correct gasket on looks a little fishy. So the cereal box will work?
And I was looking at homemade gaskets and I found that a rubber jar opener works great. They just cut it out and had a ruber gasket!! Does that sound right because I would think the rubber would melt.

 

[daniel7250]

im not sure about the rubber jar opener , the rubber would be eaten id imagine ? im not overly sure. But yeah Cereal box gasket has been working fine for me for months, just do it up nice and tight .

 

[outdooz]

im not sure about the rubber jar opener , the rubber would be eaten id imagine ? im not overly sure. But yeah Cereal box gasket has been working fine for me for months, just do it up nice and tight .

Like maybe layer 2 sides together?

 

[daniel7250]

I only used 1. but if you needed the extra thickness you could. you could also try a rubber band, but id imagine that would have the same problem with as the jar opener with the rubber melting . i just quickly searched google and didnt find anything about "petrol" eating rubber. but methanol does.

 

[outdooz]

I only used 1. but if you needed the extra thickness you could. you could also try a rubber band, but id imagine that would have the same problem with as the jar opener with the rubber melting . i just quickly searched google and didnt find anything about "petrol" eating rubber. but methanol does.

Ok Ill stay away from rubber

 

[devino246]

Ok Ill stay away from rubber

I bought a sheet of gasket material from autozone for $5. Its a little thicker than a cereal box. One word of advice: When I made my first set of carb gaskets, i made the inside hole just a little to large. The increased sized caused it to allow air to get in from one of the carb vents. Just be real careful about how you cut. And if you dont have the old gaskets intact, just lay the piece of gasket material/cardboard over the gasket surface and firmly rub your finger over it, leaving an impression in the sheet.

 

[redsox985]

I would assume that an Ex-Acto hobby knife would be an ideal tool?

 

[devino246]

I would assume that an Ex-Acto hobby knife would be an ideal tool?

I used a razor blade to cut the outside, then used different sized pieces of pipe to cut the holes by placing the gasket on a block of wood and whacking the pipe with a hammer. I saw on an episode of Powerblock TV where they used bullet casings to cut holes.

 

[Cstyle00]

Yea, the Ex-Acto would give you the perfect cut, with that's what we use to make airbrush stencils. Get one at Wal-Mart for $5 in the hobby and crafts section. O yea, don't let any chicks see you in that section, it's usually near the ribbon and beads, lol.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Experiences with silicone? I sealed up a 2 stroke with some copper high temp stuff and it wasnt that good, i ended up buying new gaskets.

However it did seal my tecumseh's head.

Im going to make a crankcase gasket tomorrow for my vertical shaft kart build. Im looking for a template on line.

Wont a hole puncher make some good holes (not all mashed)