near stall when looking for low end torque

[fornarog]

Belt is a Carllisle Argo 125-56. The parts manual for this year calls for a 52" OC Drive belt - 125-56, so that is correct. It may be stretched even though it looks in good condition.

[North Country Tough]

Proper thread hey Argo Jim was there not issues with the governors on some of those Kamakazi motors seems to me I had mine in for a warranty issue when we had Conquest,s.NCT

[ARGOJIM]

There were a few that had issues, I remember one in particular. Dad has had 10 or more Conquests without governor issues.
The 22hp was not an engine option (I believe the 22hp was still a FD620 but was actually a JD engine and some were fuel injected), the common problems were anti diesel solenoid and the push rod falling off from stuck valves due to poor fuel or running cold.

I hope Greg's issue is simple though it could get to where you are if it's not, in worst case.

[fornarog]

I pulled the spark plug wires one by one, and found that the argo would start fine with the front cylinder connected, but when I had only the rear cylinder plugged in the engine won't start.

I think this is the issue, just not enough HP from the engine to handle things under load..

Now the scary thought, what could cause this cylinder not to fire up the engine when the first cylinder would? I hope it isn't really bad news!

[fornarog]

Switched the two plugs and repeated. Now the 1 front cyl wont fire but #2 will . Definitely a bad plug. Next step, determine what caused the plug to foul.

[Canadian_Zuk]

Switched the two plugs and repeated. Now the 1 front cyl wont fire but #2 will . Definitely a bad plug. Next step, determine what caused the plug to foul.

I wouldn't worry about it unless it fouls again, probably just a bad plug...it happens. If it repeats check that coil plug related wire.

[dirtdobber]

Hey fornarog, it sounds like you have found your problem. Let me share a little insight, for what its worth.

I realize the use of words and phrases varies across the world, but herein the south when a spark plug has "fouled" it means there is so much oil getting into the combustion chamber that carbon build up on the plug interrupts the spark. I hope that is not what happened to your plug. Spark plugs can fail for a variety of reasons and in fact I have seen very new plugs fail. So, if your plug looks like it is caked up with tar you may be burning oil, in which case the plug will foul again at some point. Otherwise, like Canadian said, probably just a bad plug.

[fornarog]

Thanks Dirtdobber. In Mississipp, Md is north. In New York, Md is south. For me, it is the home of the fabled Marsh Ghost, the Sika Deer, which is what has me messing with this Argo to begin with hahaha.

It was pretty crusted up, not with wet oil, but lots of carbon. After checking with Kawasaki, it looks like these plugs were not the correct ones. The previous owner had used BMR4A instead of BMR6A which may have increased the "fouling". I'll be correcting the plugs, changing the oil and filter, replacing the fuel filter, and replacing the gas to try and help. Hopefully, this will cut down on the likelihood of the problem happening again.

[ARGOJIM]

Be sure to use the correct plug as defined by the serial number and letter series of the engine, the 6 should just be a hotter plug with the same body. Argo first used the BMR4A in the Conquests and later the BPR4ES, do not use the BPR plug as it is longer and will contact the piston.

The Carbon "fouling" could be caused by lower grade gas or rich fuel mixture.
Is this thing carbureted? Is it an FD620D?

[fornarog]

Thanks ARGO Jim. Also following TJ's advice and using Autolite plugs.

[ARGOJIM]

I would stick with the NGK's

[fornarog]

Oh boy, this could get interesting. Before asking for opinions I will do a search (saving you a post Moderator Mike!)