LGT 145

[fOXTOOTH]

Push rod that actuates points doesnt move, any ideas? It's not rusted or stuck, I can pull it out easily, does anyone have a parts manual they can post? TIA for any help jfox

 

[Jim.ME]

Why the new thread on the same thing? And you don't tell the engine.

Use a punch and stick it in with the plunger removed. PUSH in on the punch and turn the engine over. Does the punch moved as you hold pressure on it? If not you likely need to get deeper into the engine and see why it is not moving, possibly broken/stripped parts.

 

[fOXTOOTH]

Thanx, yer right- I didnt tell the engine, was sleepy this morning when doing research, and I didnt know either if the other thread was being watched by any gurus beside the ones there. The engine is the Kohler K 321 14 HP sits on the LGT 145. I did hold my finger on the plunger while I moved the flywheel and felt nothing. This was after the visual inspection watching the plunger not move at all. In case anyone doesnt think you can see a plunger move .020" - I can look at the clock and with each tick I can see the minute hand move ...now the tocks are a different story.... but I will try your suggestion when I get a minute, behind on my chores.

 

[Jim.ME]

Thanx, yer right- I didnt tell the engine, was sleepy this morning when doing research, and I didnt know either if the other thread was being watched by any gurus beside the ones there. The engine is the Kohler K 321 14 HP sits on the LGT 145. I did hold my finger on the plunger while I moved the flywheel and felt nothing. This was after the visual inspection watching the plunger not move at all. In case anyone doesnt think you can see a plunger move .020" - I can look at the clock and with each tick I can see the minute hand move ...now the tocks are a different story.... but I will try your suggestion when I get a minute, behind on my chores.

If you held you finger hard against the plunger when turning the engine, you should feel it even if you don't see it move. I may be wrong however I believe your troubles are deeper than the points plunger. There are manuals for the Kohler K321 series engines online.

 

[fOXTOOTH]

Thanx for your help. But I would challenge you to show me anything on this issue. I have spent hours online and dont find anything definitive. I just wanted to sell this tractor now I gotta tear it apart first. Check this out, I found this post on another forum about a guy who had the same issue and I was like alright! finally someone who was going thru the same thing and maybe I'll pick up some helpful ideas from the gurus who help him. So I read along and they try to help him and after awhile he sez a friend came over and helped him figger it out...they ask what the solution was and he changes the subject without disclosing WTF it was!!! and then he ghosted them. Arrrrrgh! Not all of us on these forums know what we are doing and it sure helps when people who DO know help us out. I not only felt like he let me down but that he ghosted them as well. Moral: be kind and dont ghost your gurus

 

[Jim.ME]

I can't show you what is wrong with your engine, I am not there to look at it. There is not a video on everything, not is every exact possibility of a problem described in a manual. Sometimes you have to open things up and look, the answer is not on the surface. You have reached the point of saying the plunger is not moving. The reason it has stopped moving is inside the engine where the movement force comes from, internal inspection is needed to find the exact cause.

Sorry for your frustration but I don't know of a "magic bullet" to solve your problem.

 

[fOXTOOTH]

Sorry. I was venting. I know there is no magic bullet. I have no right to expect anything online. I am frustrated too, all I wanted to do was sell the tractor. I got a million other things I would rather and should be doing and fate took it in another direction but trust I will figger it out.

 

[[email protected]]

Push rod that actuates points doesnt move, any ideas? It's not rusted or stuck, I can pull it out easily, does anyone have a parts manual they can post? TIA for any help jfox

The lobe on the camshaft is worn, will have a groove wore into it. The camshaft will need to be replaced. At one time there was an after market plunge made with a wider base, looked like a rivet. I dont know if they are still available.

 

[fOXTOOTH]

I was getting ready to try a new plunger I wonder if that would compensate enough b4 I have to
tear into it. The more I dig into researching it looks like it is a fairly common problem, which doesnt explain why I'm seeing so little in the manuals that you can see online

 

[[email protected]]

I dont know that it was a big problem but these engines are getting older and problems not seen that often before do show up. Some of the wear could have been by maintenance, but wear could be normal after hours of operation. I had to replace the plunger cam on a 400 John Deere. The plunger cam on that 2 cylinder engine is located on the governor shaft, easier to get at. That cam is fit onto the governor shaft, it is a slip fit. That plunge is obsolete but I found one on line. You may be able to drill out the plunger hole and use a little larger plunger shaft, this is not a recommendation just an idea. I have made small shafts out of drill bits. Break off the helix and grind the solid piece to the proper length. Replacing the cam is the only other option. for other help the Kohler K321 engine on line. Good luck