Well, it was all going well, plowing through meter high grass etc.. then it stopped.. would start and run for a couple of seconds and stop again.
So, the naughty rancher spent the Easter weekend at the bottom of the paddock. I thought that would be enough punishment for it to realise that life is easier for everyone if it just works but sadly that plan did not come together...
So, I got the local guy out to have a look at it (after towing it back to the house)... Diagnosis, most likely the valves. splutter back out the carby when running and apparently it's not the right air filter so there would be plenty of dust getting in.
I also suspect the rings/cylinder may have suffered from the air filtering (or lack thereof). He said there was 30 psi when cranking it over and it should be way higher than that....
So, I think this one is beyond me and it's back to the shop.. If the engine is cactus then might look at a new motor to bolt on. I think for what I am doing (rough paddocks) the old rancher is pretty a pretty good machine.
Clearly I have not been praying and making appropriate sacrifices to the outdoor power equipment gods.
Nathan
