Changing Fluids in Argo Engine

[newargoowner]

there wasn't one on my 87 8x8. but i added one when i rebuilt it. if there is one it would be on the front lower leftside of the motor sitting in the machine. i bought standard oil filter adapter for the m18, so i had to trim some sheet metal. u can also a buy a remote oil filter system for it, but it is more costly.

[JohnF]

Ingesting Water

in this thread [Changing Fluids in Argo Engine] xusarmy has a situation in which his Argo takes on water through the intake.

So what do folks think about this approach to xusarmy's situation:

I think that if a little water got into the intake I would have either opened the throttle and/or choked it a little (to enrichen) to hopefully work the water through. Good idea?

If you say shut it down immediately: As a pilot I am aware that there are circumstances where a choice is made to save the airplane or save the souls, Does circumstance make your answer situational?

<At one point I had a bit of discussion differentiating diesel/gasoline/racing engines but after writing the above question became aware that this is just another"situation".>

[JohnF]

I suggested draining the bowl because if water got in the bowl vent then you will have to work it out of the carburetor and through the engine before the engine would start - and that can take FOREVER and a battery or two. To be honest, I would probably hit the starter first to see how lazy I could be. Okay, and maybe a shot or two of starter fluid with fingers crossed. I second the fuel drying additive.

Hey, I'm gonna start a thread here.

[xusarmy]

I've tried two different bolts I thought were oil drain plugs but no oil came out? Where is the oil drain plug at? also where is the drain on the bowl ? I don't see and screws low on the bowl ?thanks again guys

john I pulled the plugs and turned the key and no water came out but the oil is milky so I'm trying to find the oil drain plug or bolt but none of the 10mm bolts I pulled let any oil out..

[newargoowner]

The oil drain plug uses an allen wrench. when sitting in the machine, it is located on the lower left hand side of the motor, below the primary motor clutch. They are talking about the float bowl on the carb. you will have to take the carb off the engine to take the float bowl off. if you go to the kohlers website (kohlerengines.com/), you can download the service manual for the M18. it will show you everything about engine.

[xusarmy]

Well I think I found the bolt to drain the oil but I can just barely squeeze my arm in there its the lowest bolt on the right side of the engine are the pumps you guys using just a rubber tube you stick in the dipstick hole to suck out?

[newargoowner]

if you take out the drivers floorboard, then the firewall (4 bolts) then you can to the oil plug from underneath the clutch system(belt). it will open up alot of room. this is how i do it.

[JohnF]

Hey man, I saw your question in the other thread and see you are getting answers here so I'll leave that other thread to it's own question.

I don't know your engine specifically, but yes, I suck the oil up the dipstick tube. The extractor tube is either (I have both) a flexible metal rubber coated tube or a stiff plastic tube. Where are you located? If near me I would lend it to you but based on your description of having ice in a river I know you are nowhere near me.

Some carburetors have a drain which would make this easy. One of the tractors I used to deal with did not so I would remove the carburetor and hold it upside down and let everything drain through the vent holes. Do what newargoowner says and download the service manual - you ask enough questions and poke around in there enough that you will use it and someday be one of our M18 experts!

if you take out the drivers floorboard, then the firewall (4 bolts) then you can to the oil plug from underneath the clutch system(belt). it will open up alot of room. this is how i do it.

There we go! I would take the belt off - it's easy - it would get it out of the way. newargoowner didn't mention it so I thought I would.

[xusarmy]

Thanks a lot every one ill get started and let you know how it goes

I have the panels off and have access to the oil plug what size allen wrench is needed the largest I have 1/4 and its to small

Well I've made progress I changed the oil and started it up and it ran for about 2 minutes then died and won't start. I didn't do anything with the carb but I know its getting fuel any ideas

Also a little water came out exhaust, I have the tranny draining but its coming slowly.. should I take off the carb and empty it?

Maybe use some starter fluid to get it running and try and keep it running until it gets hot and burns off left over water? Sorry for multiple posts I'm thinking

[blown84gt]

Maybe use some starter fluid to get it running and try and keep it running until it gets hot and burns off left over water? Sorry for multiple posts I'm thinking

That's a good way to blow the heads clean off it...

[xusarmy]

Anything to help troubleshoot this or just condesending comments towards someone trying to figure this out? I'm no mechanic but ill learn as I go with good advice and a little help thanks

[anotheramature]

maybe it sucked up some trash and has the main jet restricked, i would make sure you have spark on both spark plugs if so pull carb and clean. its a simple carb to pull and clean

[newargoowner]

take off the air cleaner. disconnect the throttle cable, choke cable and fuel line from the carb. unbolt (2 nuts) carb from intake manifold. unscrew the float bowl from the bottom of carb. use can of carb cleaner and cleanout the carb. while the carb is off, pull the spark plugs and hit the starter a few times. check the oil for more water. you might want to change the oil a couple of times once you get it running and warmed up to temp.

[brushcutter]

Spin it a few rounds then pull the plug and check to see if there is water on it, while it's out check to see if you are getting good spark. Sometimes wetting a hot plug will kill it(the plug). If you think you have water on the plug your best bet is to get the carb off it and make sure there is no water in there, it only takes a few drops to cause a problem. Let us know what happens and we can go from there. The starter fluid might get it to fire, and isn't as risky as some folks think, used it quite a bit on occasion, the thing to keep in mind is not to soak the air cleaner until it's wet. I think the blown head thing is more of an urban legend someone heard it from someone else, the story is retold and the next thing you know, 2 drops of starter fluid has the same explosive potential as 2 pints of nitro glycerin. Just a very short burst into the carb will let you know if you have a fuel issue, but since you've already stated that you know you're getting fuel then you need to look into what other issues you are having. My guess is spark or wet gas or both. Let us know what you find...

[xusarmy]

Thank you for all the helpful replies, so here's where I am so far since taking water in the intake I have changed the oil because it was milky, pulled transmission oil plug and a half gallon of water came out along with slow moving thick peanut butter colored gear oil ozooing out, replaced the spark plugs then fired it up it ran for 2 minutes then died I suspect there was water in fuel. When I turn the key it turns over but won't run also I checked oil level after it ran for 2 minutes and it was full but oil was milky again so ill change it again. Ill add tranny oil and change engine oil again along with removing carb and cleaning. How can I flush the fuel lines and drain the tank then start with all fresh fuel?