Battery/Driveability

[acharrette]

So I knew the battery my response came with is not the origonal and looked like it came out of the previouse owners lawn mower, and its junk, have to jump start machine. I have the parts manual part #127-54 for the battery but if I get one from interstate (I work at a car dealership) how do I know what I need? cca, height/width to fit in battery hold down. searched the site for answers but came up empty handed. ALSO, I may have a carb isssue... From cold start, choke to start, no problem, but from idle when I goose it, the engine stalls. I have to crack it slowly to get the engine to rev high. I noticed a metal tube going no where on the top of the carb when I took off the airbox. (not the rubber vent tube) should it be attached to something? please help me get this this running smooth. (possibly just bad gas?) just bought machine and no idea how long its been sitting... Oh its a briggs vangard 18hp.

[mike bar]

Your carb sounds like it is set to lean. not sure on the battery, just get one to fit the size of the holder as best you can. Are you sure it is charging?

[acharrette]

Should be charging ok because it stays running and see the volt meter go up as I rev the engine. How many cold cranking amps should be battery be?

[mike bar]

Dunno on the c.c.a. Mine is an energizer that is at least 4 years old with no problems so far. It is the right length for the holder but just slightly narrower.

[Roger S]

Try a group 51 or 51r (polarty)

length/width/height 9.4 5.1 8.8

just a guess

[trevorakm1]

i just put a new battery in mine and i got it from sears. i love those diehards. they ahve their batteries spread out by size and device such as lawnmowers. the one i got came with a 1 year warranty and is also the same size used in a honda civic. now if i could get my carb problem cleared up would be great.

[acharrette]

Roger S, you are correct, series 51 battery. I had the parts guy at work call around to cross some numbers from interstate to other brands and turns out we had one in stock that fits a hybrid hylander. the 12v auxillary battery, looks to be perfect size and 500cca should be MORE than enough! haha Now on to the carb issue... I might take it apart tonight depending on how cold it is tonight cuz my garage is not heated. UNLESS... I can fit it through my french doors and get it into my kitchen!

[waylonh]

As for you bogging issue............If you've got a vanguard, and she has any age, it is a known issue. It won't hurt to take it apart and clean the bejesus out of the carb, but If anything it's valve lash. You'll find that most of us have that problem; some worse than others. My engine starts, idles, and runs almost perfect with the valve lash at .006 on the intake, and .006 on exhaust. However, it will bog off the line. If someone who has never driven my argo drives it. They think something is wrong with the carb. Most everyone get's in and rams the throttle, but you can't on mine. You have to feather it from an idle. It's not really an issue for me, It's just something i've learned to deal with.

If someone knows how this can be resolved. I'm all ears.

[Roger S]

I've always been able to richen the idle mixture and take the off idle stumble/lean out of acceleration. I raised the float a little too, I guess. Been a long time ago..

[acharrette]

I got all day sunday to mess with the carb. just hope I dont mess it up more than it is allready!

[trevorakm1]

my friend and i cleaned the carb last night. spent about two hours doing it and it was easier than i thought. certainly stopped spitting fuel out of the top of the carb. going to clean the fuel tank tomorrow and hopefully that will finsh all my idle issues. while at it i'ld like to replace the fuel filters and the lines. thanks for the input Roger S! i have a few more questions for you though, what size is that tubing for the fuel lines..standard? and what fuel filters are you using if you say you use automotive items? the argo is sitting a half hour away and can't get there till tomorrow so i would like to get the parts today before heading up to do the work. once again thanks for all the input from you guys!
trevor

[Roger S]

I think the fuel line is 5/16". Someone correct me if I'm wrong.. it's early and havn't had coffee, and am out the door soon. Fuel filters, I guess the argo had a normal car filter on it, the ones I don't like are the miniature lawn and garden filters. Sometimes you have to look a bit to find a filter with 5/16, as most of them are 3/8.

[acharrette]

So im driving the argo down the pavement, wide open throttle, let off to slow down then get back on it and POW! flame out the exhaust everytime from wide open top speed, to off throttle, then back on it. WTF!?!?! scared me at first! Ive done "key bangers" on street bikes before but that was killing the ignition. why is my argo blowing a flame out the exhaust?

[waylonh]

Why is my argo blowing a flame out the exhaust?

because your valves need adjusted.

[acharrette]

Found this old post, seems like the same issue with mine. Going to try a few things today with the carb before I check the valves. Maybe this post with help you trevorakm1. http://www.6x6world.com/forums/engin...idle-help.html