engine wont start

i started my washer yesterday but after a few minutes it shut off, the engine just turns over but wouldn't start so i isolated the engine by unplugging the low oil shut down wire still nothing,so i replaced the coil i believe some call it the armature,its the part that attaches to the side of the fly wheel with two spark plugs wire attached.after i replaced it,it started for a few minutes but shut down again.the engine is a 18 hp b&s ,i set the armature gap at .10/thousandth ,is this the correct gap? it also has new plugs.i checked and its getting gas.could someone please help me out on this one.thanks for any info offered.

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Jerome Ware
Master Clean

Did you check out the fuel lines for air leaks or the fuel filter? Any loose clamp will cause it to suck air in. Also a bad filter will cause this. Then see if one of the jets in the carb are clogged. Also see if water may have got in the bowel of the carb.

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Hotwaterwizard@aol.com If You have a problem with your machine, just ask I'll help if I can.

Jerome,
The air gap on your armatures is .008"-.012", if you set it at .010" your in good shape.
If you are not getting any fire to eather cylinder, you might check the ground wire harness, or ground terminal that grounds out the armatures to kill the engine.The current style system uses a ground wire harness, containing diodes, with an insulated stop terminal mounted on the #1 cylinder shield. The early style system consists of a ground terminal, containing diodes. The ground terminal has a tab terminal for each armature ground wire, and a tab terminal for the equipment stop switch wire.The ground terminal is located on the #1 cylinder shield near the starter motor.If a diode fails "shorts" the cylinder won't have any spark.If both diodes fail,or the wire shorts to ground after the switch, no spark to either cylinder.
If you have any questions call me (740)819-2566

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Bill (CPS CLEANING and RESTORATION)
(740)819-2566

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><FONT COLOR="DarkGreen">
If its not firing I agree with Bill the ground wire can give you fits.If the diodes are shorted out it want fire and you cann't replace the ground with just any wire it has to have the diode to fire,,,still scatching my head on dat one.</FONT c></FONT f>

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<FONT COLOR="orangeRed"><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">When answering Post If It Sounds As tho I'm Holding A Match To Ya "Fear Not" Its Only Lit On One End.</FONT c></FONT f><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><FONT COLOR="Fuchsia">I'm No Doctor The Pill I Subscride Is For Me Only.They May Make You Jump Up and Down Or Crawl All Over The Ground.</FONT c></FONT f><FONT face="comic sans MS"><FONT COLOR="blue">Will Try To Help Sail Your Ship Even Tho Rocket Fuel Is The Tip.</FONT c></FONT f>

<FONT COLOR="red"><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">When In Doubt,,,Think It Out</FONT c></FONT f><FONT COLOR="green"><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">.....triplel@bscn.com</FONT c></FONT f>

<FONT COLOR="e87400"><FONT size="10">FUSE</FONT s>

I just had a simular problem with my kohler motor. It' did'nt run then it did. It had a fuse coming off the ignition that was broken (not Blown) and was making intermittent contact. It was driving me crazy, I had even checked the fuse once and did'nt notice the that the end was lose. And the motor will not run with out it!!

Just a thought

Cody</FONT c>

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<FONT COLOR="e87400">
Hydro-Emulsification Surface Preparation Specialist </FONT c>

Hey Jerome,
Have you had any luck with that engine problem????

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Bill (CPS CLEANING and RESTORATION)
(740)819-2566

because of the rain and my full time job i haven't had time to repair it,i don't have the luxury of an enclosed area to work.i have a few more questions if you guys don't mine,the armature has two plug wires and a terminal where a small black wire supposed to be attached is this black wire the kill wire?does it suppose to have the diodes?are does the wire running from the ignition switch to the insulated block contains the diodes?i have looked at both wires and dont see a diode on either wire,this is not a brand new washer its about 8 years old,i bought it use.it seems to have a regular wire running from the switch to the insulated block if it suppose to have diodes i wonder why it ran for such a long time are even ran at all?i also replaced the ignition switch,i have the kill wire attached to the terminal marked M ,is this correct?thanks for your concerns

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Jerome Ware
Master Clean

Jerome,

Disconnect one end of the wire and measure the resistance with an ohm meter. Do it with the engine OFF! A properly working diode will measure zero resistance one way, Mega-resistance the other. Exchange the probes to measure in opp. direction. Diodes are used instead of fuses because a diode has what's called a breakdown voltage and allows current flow when that voltage amplitude has been exceeded, without destroying the component. A short or other happening in the engine can cause extreme current flow and increases the voltage against the diode, which breaks down to protect the circuitry in the engine. The resistance measurement will identify a diode protected wire or will ID a defective diode in a wire.

JRabbit

Jerome,
If your engine is 8 years old it's probley not a Vanguard,and odds are that it might have ignition breaker points, instead of an eiectronic ignition.
If that is the case odds are its your points, they are probley burnt and need replaced.
The black wire you described is your kill wire.

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Bill (CPS CLEANING and RESTORATION)
(740)819-2566

Is this a vanguard or is it an I/C opposed twin. Does it only have one coil? If it is an opposed twin it will not have diodes on the kill wire. Also most of the opposed twins do have a fuel pump that does fail. They are sometimes mounted on the engine cowl or built into the carb. Can't remember did you check spark right after it died? Does it have spark now? I assume you have isolated the engine: Remove all kill wires to coil.

Hope I could help.

Daren Marshall




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it is not a vanguard its an i/c opposed twin,it only has one coil.no spark after it died and still no spark.i have not isolated the engine from the kill wire,i will give it a try.looks like i am going to have to take it to the repair shop ,as soon as i find out whats wrong with it i will post the fix.i really appreciate all the help,thanks again

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Jerome Ware
Master Clean