[Allotment]

Hi

Having recently dug up a proportion of the back garden to grow vegetables, we decided to purchase a Titan Merry Tiller:

Engine Model:  130202
Type: 0370-01
Code 74122020

It was purchased as a none-runner, and had been standing for a couple of years under cover.  We suspected that the problem may have been either the points or condenser, and decided that we would replace with a Briggs Magnetron Ignition Kit.  We are pleased to say that the engine now starts up fine.  However, we have noticed that air is bubbling in the engine oil, and there is also a whiff of petrol in the oil. ( We used 10W - 30 oil).  There is a slight loss of compression on the throttle.  Can anyone out there advise what the problem could be?  Is there any harm in running it as it is? Look forward to replies.  Many Thanks.


 

[Gwiz]

When you say that air is bubbling in the engine oil, what do you mean, and how are you testing it?
I'd normally use a straight SAE 30 oil rather than a multi-grade, but I can't see any real problem in using the oil that you are putting in it. Having said that, it could be that you are taking the oil filler plug out, or checking the dipstick as the engine is running, or straight away after. If this is the case, I would expect the oil to be a bit "frothy"
As for the petrol smell, these are pretty basic engines, there is often a bit of leakage around the rings. An excessive amount of petrol/ smell would indicate either a very worn barrel and piston, or that too much petrol is going through the carb by either a badly adjusted carb or because the carb is faulty in some way.
When you say a loss of compression on the throttle, do you mean that the engine "dies a little" when you "throttle up"? If so, it seems that the engine needs tuning.

[Allotment]

Hello Graham

Thank you so much for your reply.  In answer to your questions:

We noticed that the oil was "spitting" when we unscrewed the  oil filler plug, and therefore we suspected that there was compression getting into the oil.  Also, The loss of compression is felt when the throttle bar is moved to give higher revs.  We have only tested the workability of the rotovator for a few minutes on a small patch of the plot, so cannot comment if it will lose power after using for a period of time.  It will be autumn when it will be used for its purpose.

Best regards

[Gwiz]

Hi,
If you removed the oil filler cap while the engine was running, they all spit oil. The engine doesn't have an oil pump, it relies on a "splasher paddle" that literally splashes the oil around. The lack of compression you talk about, seems to indicate that the carb needs tuning, rather than there actually being a lack of compression in the engine.
Apart from that, it seems you have a reasonable working rotovator.

[Allotment]

Hi there Graham

Thanks again for your valued information.  We will have to have a go at tuning the carb.  Fingers crossed that it work ok in the autumn.  Merry Tiller are such well made machines, and we were really chuffed to get it going again.

Regards to you
Sue and Rich

[Guzzik]

Hi

Having recently dug up a proportion of the back garden to grow vegetables, we decided to purchase a Titan Merry Tiller:
However, we have noticed that air is bubbling in the engine oil, and there is also a whiff of petrol in the oil. ( We used 10W - 30 oil). 
 

One thing.  Don't use ordinary car oil in one of those small engines, only use SAE 30 oil, they run far too hot and fast for 10 or 20 w 40 or 50.

If you are taking the oil filler cap of when the engine is running then the oil will "spit" out at you.

As the machine was a non starter an possibly has had a hard life before you got it, I would say the slight smell of petrol in the oil means a ring is worn, if the slight wiff is just that then, I wouldn't be too worried about it.  Just change that car oil for the correct oil quick.

[Allotment]

Hi there

Thank you for that information. 

Regards