Runs better in reverse

[sumpnfishy]

I have an older Marathon model with a ROBBIN 244CC GSB107-03. Finally fixed electrical issues with a new starter / generator, FnR switch, & battery and a little rewiring. Wouldn't run in reverse until now. As far as pressing the gas pedal to go it hesitates for a bit when I try to go forward or just won't take off at all. You hear the motor turning over but it doesn't seem to engage. Switch FnR switch to reverse and takes off just fine. Replaced the belts and that didn't make any difference. Once it gets going it runs fine in either direction but driving around backwards isn't much fun.

My question is what would be specific to the direction that might cause this? Is it a clutch issue?

Any ideas are very welcome. This has been a slow process but I want to get this mechanically reliable before I start with the cosmetics.
Dennis

[cart around]

Is it possible for you to post a video? We would then be able to tell if the engine is actually running with a clutch issue, or if the engine hasn't started running during this lag time.

Running great in reverse, and having a hard time in forward is classic crankshaft seals.

[wthompson912]

Have you checked the engine timing?

[sumpnfishy]

Thanks for the responses. I'll look into these and try and make a video in the next day or so.

[Night]

Originally Posted by wthompson912

Have you checked the engine timing?

How do you check the timing on them?

Mark

[cart around]

Originally Posted by Night

How do you check the timing on them?

Mark

Pages L-13 through L-18. Good luck with that......

[sumpnfishy]

Finally back to work on this project. As suggested just made a video to show what it's doing. When you press the pedal all the way it just sits and sputters most the time. Moving the FNR a little for some reason makes it suddenly take off. It will drive fine for a little bit but once I stop it sometimes is difficult to get going again.
Again: New FNR, Starter / generator, battery, and belt. Any ideas welcome. Haven't checked the timing yet, not sure where my timer is at, been years since I needed it.
Here is the link URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBodFdG2p3Y"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBodFdG2p3Y[/URL]

[cart around]

That thing screams in reverse when it finally gets going. Did you notice the pop in forward right before it started running?

I would pull the plug, and hold it against the engine to make sure that there is constant spark.

After that, I would pull the fuel pump apart to check for ripped diaphragms.

The third thing would be crankshaft seals.

Let's make sure it is getting good spark first.

This might be an easier way to follow your link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBodFdG2p3Y


You are also missing a bolt where the pipe connects to the muffler.

I just watched again. That pop came from the missing exhaust bolt. It almost looks like it was loaded with fuel, and then got ignition.

Check for continuous spark, and then we go from there.

[vince362291]

watched the video didn't see a ground wire from the motor to the frame

[sumpnfishy]

Thanks for the ideas!
Today I checked the spark and it looked good but I also checked the gap. Was a little bigger than the manual said so adjusted to .030. Also replaced missing bolt on exhaust (which just fell off recently). Seems to be running better already.
A couple of more questions:
1. Battery is grounded to the frame. Should the motor be grounded via a heavy wire as well?
2. I found a loose cable which I figured out was connected to the governor. What happens if the governor is not hooked up?
Thanks!
Dennis