Author Topic: LT15 Needs New Engine (Read 4580 times)

sawguy21 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2020, 11:54:55 AM »

Horsepower ratings are pretty loose, generally whatever the OEM wamts to see. The 18 and 19 horse engines are basically the same except for decals although one may have improved filtration and low oil shutdown.

RichTired · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2020, 03:47:30 PM »

Resonator, I installed an inexpensive (less than $10) hour-meter on my LT15 I got from Amazon.

Link

richhiway · « **Reply #22 on:** December 19, 2020, 03:51:28 PM »

Just curious, do you know how many hours is on it? Take the cover off the flywheel it may have something wrong there, it may not be a internal engine part.
I would go with the Wood-Mizer up grade. Should be flawless. I would not expect a lot of difference, small engine horsepower ratings are suspect.
While you can repair small engines they are not "rebuildable"like the engine in a tractor,etc. Don't spend much repairing it at 15 years old.
Good Luck!

doc henderson · « **Reply #23 on:** December 19, 2020, 04:13:18 PM »

if it sounds like gravel, but runs, could it be a connecting rod bearing? i once thought the from crank bearing went out of my camero. 1974. a bolt had came out of the and harmonic balancer? anyway it threw all the belts, and would run, but looked like the fromt of the crank was wallowed out and not turning concentrically. new rubber and bolts

firefighter ontheside · « **Reply #24 on:** December 19, 2020, 04:56:34 PM »

Doc, a guy who works for me here is a car engine guy and he said the same thing. Might be a crank shaft bearing. I think I'm gonna ask the place where I would have it repaired if they can diagnose it for no charge as long as I either pay them to repair it or buy new from them. The motor has always ran great for me. The only problem I ever have is that the automatic choke doesn't work so I have to reach up inside under the carburetor and move it by hand. Annoying, but not a big deal.

Resonator · « **Reply #25 on:** December 19, 2020, 05:44:10 PM »

Thanks for the link RichTired.

mike_belben · « **Reply #26 on:** December 19, 2020, 07:22:47 PM »

Theyre all super simple. You should split the thing. Probably have it back together for $50.

offrink · « **Reply #27 on:** December 19, 2020, 08:47:37 PM »

I have the upgraded diesel in my lt-15 wide. Not to heavy at all. Was cutting 20” wide ash that was standing dead and then 5 months on blocks. Was plenty hard and I didn’t slow down much!

sawguy21 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 19, 2020, 09:32:00 PM »

If you are in a hurry replace the engine and set the old one aside to tear down when you are bored. There are no bearing shells, an aluminum rod runs on a steel crank pin. If the pin is coated with aluminum steel wool and muriatic acid may clean it up, if the pin is scored forget it. A rebuild will cost more than a new engine.

Stephen1 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 20, 2020, 08:41:39 PM »

Bigger is always better.
IF I am not in a big rush, I always like to try and repair. The worst that is going to happen is you can not fix it and you have to buy new or take it into the shop anyways.

kantuckid · « **Reply #30 on:** December 21, 2020, 10:17:58 AM »

Quote from: RichTired on December 19, 2020, 03:47:30 PM

Resonator, I installed an inexpensive (less than $10) hour-meter on my LT15 I got from Amazon.

Link

I also installed a cheaper than Kohler price point Chinese hour meter and it never has worked.
I just change my oil & oil/gas filters seasonally anyway.
I like Honda engines, period, but there are others that are good.
You say has compression, but how much matters a lot.
I'd consider re-building it. not such a hard job and lots of parts out there too. My 15hp Kohler on my LT15 is about 20 years old and runs fine. Chinese carb, Chinese gas tank on/off and hour meter no worky but starts and runs great-knock on wood...

firefighter ontheside · « **Reply #31 on:** December 21, 2020, 04:52:20 PM »

Well, I just bit the bullet and ordered the new engine kit from Woodmizer. After my engine shop told it was not gonna be worth trying to fix, especially since the engine is discontinued, I decided to just get the engine and kit from WM. Before I talked to the engine shop, a very helpful guy from WM talked to me all about the ramifications of going from 15hp to 19hp. I need to go from a single drive belt system to a double. The refit kit comes with a whole new drive side wheel, which is one of the reasons the kit is so expensive. Who knows how long this will take to get. I guess its gonna be quite a while before I'm sawing again.

kantuckid · « **Reply #32 on:** December 21, 2020, 05:22:31 PM »

Any thoughts I've had herein were based on doing my own wrenching and also parts that cost lots less than from a dealer.
But of course some engines need to be tossed.
Not too complain about the thread at all, but with this senario we had far too little information to analyze the real problem of your engine. But oh to have money to spend.

My main issue with that same engine is that mice eat the foam air filters.
I still like Honda's for small gas engines...

doc henderson · « **Reply #33 on:** December 21, 2020, 05:35:29 PM »

what was wrong with the old one?

firefighter ontheside · « **Reply #34 on:** December 21, 2020, 05:55:48 PM »

I didn't really want to spend this money right now, as I was finally getting to where my litlle side venture was making some money this year. Oh well. I'm sorry kantuckid, I wasn't really hoping someone here would solve the problem with the old motor. I was hoping someone would have some experience with the issue of replacing the motor on an Lt15, especially an older one. Thanks for all suggestions about fixing the motor. I really did appreciate them.

I don't know what the problem is with the old motor. I will set it aside and maybe crack it open someday when I have time. I'm not sure when that will be. I'm working OT today. I'm working mandatory OT on Christmas eve and working my own shift on Christmas day. I'm working mandatory OT on 12/28. Too many guys sick with the virus right now to have time to work on an engine. Anyway, I'm excited to have some extra HP once I get it all back together.

Walnut Beast · « **Reply #35 on:** December 21, 2020, 06:22:36 PM »

I think it was a smart move. You don’t have to worry about everything going together. It’s all in a kit 👍

kantuckid · « **Reply #36 on:** December 22, 2020, 07:02:49 AM »

No problemo here. I am a very "greasy guy" (that loves wood even more!) who's taught Auto Mechanics on my certificate and trained in vehicle, heavy industry & military aviation mechanics too so again, I just was saying that we lacked info to decide what actually ailed the thing. Ebay has lots of small engine parts and the first step I'd have taken for small engine guts.

Stephen1 · « **Reply #37 on:** December 22, 2020, 06:20:01 PM »

Quote from: Walnut Beast on December 21, 2020, 06:22:36 PM

I think it was a smart move. You don’t have to worry about everything going together. It’s all in a kit 👍

And the WM kits are ussually very informative with great graphics and well written instructions.

firefighter ontheside · « **Reply #38 on:** December 22, 2020, 08:44:14 PM »

Now that I'm upgrading the engine for more power, I'm thinking that I will eventually upgrade to power feed. That's a ways off, but the cost is not as much as I thought it might be.

firefighter ontheside · « **Reply #39 on:** December 22, 2020, 08:45:49 PM »

Quote from: Stephen1 on December 22, 2020, 06:20:01 PM

Quote from: Walnut Beast on December 21, 2020, 06:22:36 PM
I think it was a smart move. You don’t have to worry about everything going together. It’s all in a kit 👍
And the WM kits are ussually very informative with great graphics and well written instructions.

It's funny you say that, because this is what it says on WM site.

With no installation instructions, replacement engine kits are designed for those who are mechanically inclined. Before ordering and replacing your engine, follow these guidelines to make sure your engine is installed properly:

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Author Topic: LT15 Needs New Engine (Read 4580 times)

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