Need help diagnosing poor Max.

[Mike]

If you take loose the 4 bolts holding the motor down you can move the motor allowing you to replace the belt much more easily and it only takes a minute to do.

[Eldon]

I pushed the engine fully forward beforehand but found the challenge in parting the clutch pulley.I think though like any job the first time is very trying and like you say.the new belt went on much easier than the old came off.

[Mike]

You shouldn't have to part the clutch. Was your old belt stuck?

And in my last post I really should have said to remove the engine bolts completely so that you can slide the motor forward and angle it.

[Jedon]

I noticed the drive belt had 4-5 inches of slack, I didn't notice when I moved the engine to install the chain guides that it was adjustable. I tightened it up but the noise persists. Sounds like it's coming from the clutch and goes away under throttle.

[Eldon]

Is there any chance you have anything rattling in your muffler?

[jerseybigfoot]

You may have a broken spring in the clutch. Unfortunately the engine has to be loosened up to get at the clutch bell cover. You can possibly check for the clang by taking the spark plugs out of the engine and rolling the engine/clutch over by hand.

[whipper-ag]

It seems like a hassle, but if it was me, I would take the clutch off start it up, let it idle & see if the noise is gone. If it is, then you've found out where the problem is.

Whipper

[Jedon]

Any tricks or tips for taking the clutch off?

[Mike]

Yours is new enough that you can probably just take the bolt out and walk it off the shaft without too much hassle?

[Jedon]

I'll give that a try, thanks!

[Jedon]

I took the belt off and it's 1 1/32 wide which is out of spec according to the user manual, could it have been rattling in the clutch when disengaged? I ask because my batteries are dead, charging now so I can start it and see.

Where do I get a new belt?

[Eldon]

I'm all ears Jedon if you can source a belt as I'm trying to get one too,I have a string on the first page of this forum on it.The manual says it shouldn't be less than 1 1/16 inch wide but gives no hint as to how wide the new one should be.I suspect 1 1/4 inch and I've measure the outer circumference of the old one at 46 inches.If you have yours off I'd be interested in how long it is.Mine isn't worn out but I'd like to change now.I think a Dayco HP 3039 will work but have to order one in as they are not stock.It is 45.8 inches long and 1 1/4 inch wide.Its frustrating as the manual lists part numbers for bulbs etc but not a murmur about drive belts.

[Eldon]

I measured my old belt Jedon and believe it is 45 5/8 inches long and though it is 1 1/8 inch wide now, believe it to be originally 1 1/4 inches wide.If my figures are accurate according to a new cross reference chart for Dayco's new numbers it would be old number Max 1123 which would now be a HP 3035 rather than the the HP 3039 I posted previously which is 45.8 inches long.