| Author |
Message |
    
Rob McMillan
Member
Username: Robmc
Sk
Registered: 1-2010
Post Number: 45
| | Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 11:12 pm: | 
|
Will a 318 run cooler with the side covers off? It takes about an hour and a half to mow my yard. The tractor has a 46" mower and tows a 60" offset mower. With the temperature in the high 80's I wonder about running too hot. If I point a temperature gun at the head around the spark plug, what would be the maximum safe reading? Is there a better way to tell if the engine is overheating. |
Jay Dorsett
Member
Username: Hogedog
sd
Registered: 11-2006
Post Number: 605
| | Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 11:31 pm: |
|
It's designed to run with the side panels on. What does your engine oil look like? I would worry more about oil temp than a reading at the head, which I'm sure would be pretty hot. Does it turn over hard if you stop the motor during mowing? An overheated motor would have lots of friction and be hard to restart. Does your motor "ping"? That is another sign of overheating. |
Rob McMillan
Member
Username: Robmc
Sk
Registered: 1-2010
Post Number: 46
| | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 3:25 am: |
|
I do run with the side panels on. Oil seems normal. I have never heard a ping or found the engine hard to crank. All should be ok.
Thanks Jay |
Andre Blanchet
Member
Username: Ab318
QC
Registered: 1-2005
Post Number: 1140
| | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 7:41 am: |
|
Another indication is the spark plug color:
http://www.dansmc.com/Spark_Plugs/Spark_Plugs_catalog.html
Andre |
Rob McMillan
Member
Username: Robmc
Sk
Registered: 1-2010
Post Number: 47
| | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 8:01 am: |
|
Thanks Andre, I will look at the plugs. |
Steven Seck
Member
Username: Kansas318
Ks
Registered: 10-2009
Post Number: 34
| | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 9:13 am: |
|
Another thing to remember is to always run with the engine at wide open throttle. The engine cools by drawing air from the console and blowing it over the cylinders and out the front of the mower. If you slow down the engine, it does not move as much air.
Steven |
Andre Blanchet
Member
Username: Ab318
QC
Registered: 1-2005
Post Number: 1144
| | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 11:20 pm: |
|
Also with the temperature gun pointing at the oil filter will tell you a good idea of the oil temp.
But I don't know the normal / maximum temp. for the Onan.
Andre |
Rob McMillan
Member
Username: Robmc
Sk
Registered: 1-2010
Post Number: 48
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - 12:40 am: |
|
I will take a reading on the filter the next time I mow and post the results. My mistress runs a second 318 when we mow. I will check both. |
Brooks Cone
Member
Username: Bcone1381
MI
Registered: 9-2009
Post Number: 80
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - 1:47 pm: |
|
My thoughts on Oil Temperature...180 to 220 is where I would want it. I think most water cooled engines run the thermostat around 180, so if I saw oil temps around 240 I would be concerned.
Putting a meat thermometer through the oil dipstick hole into the oil pan right after the engine is might upset your wife, so you might find your own at Wally World. |
Andre Blanchet
Member
Username: Ab318
QC
Registered: 1-2005
Post Number: 1145
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - 2:56 pm: |
|
Brooks
For few weeks I add an oil temp. gauge on my 318 because I have a 24 Honda.
So far the maximum reached is 180F, at the same time a reading on the oil filter, with an infrared thermometer was at 190F.
I like the idea of the meat thermometer but the oil filter temp is not so bad.
Thank's for the information about the oil temperature range, this is a very important information for me with all those story about the Honda overheating.
Andre |
Rob McMillan
Member
Username: Robmc
Sk
Registered: 1-2010
Post Number: 49
| | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 8:23 pm: |
|
I have been told to inform all that my lovely partner is not, has never been, and never will be ANYONE'S mistress. It is going to take me 3 hours to mow the yard the next few times. |
Rob McMillan
Member
Username: Robmc
Sk
Registered: 1-2010
Post Number: 50
| | Posted on Monday, August 02, 2010 - 6:57 pm: |
|
I mowed my yard today and took some temperature readings on the 318 oil filters when finished. After an hour and a half mowing in 75 degree temperature, filters on both tractors were between 185 and 190 degrees. The oil pan on the 14 hp briggs on my swisher offset mower read 150 degrees. |
Jim Briney
Member
Username: Lodogg2221
IN
Registered: 1-2006
Post Number: 4562
| | Posted on Monday, August 02, 2010 - 7:40 pm: |
|
Make sure the intake screens are clean, and no debris is in the cooling fins, and dont worry about it anymore.
Old A/C VW engines used to hit the 300 degree mark on their heads from time to time...
I sure wouldnt worry too much about oil that isnt over 200 degrees. |
Andre Blanchet
Member
Username: Ab318
QC
Registered: 1-2005
Post Number: 1161
| | Posted on Monday, August 02, 2010 - 9:28 pm: |
|
I agree with Jim, at this temperature, don't worry, your Onan is very comfortable.
Andre |
Rob McMillan
Member
Username: Robmc
Sk
Registered: 1-2010
Post Number: 51
| | Posted on Monday, August 02, 2010 - 10:26 pm: |
|
Thanks guys |
Thomas H. Veenker
Member
Username: Tv4fish
MN
Registered: 9-2005
Post Number: 113
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2010 - 4:15 pm: |
|
So Rob: LOL -- Do you think it will FOREVER take you 3 hours to mow -- or will your "better half" relent and help out again?? |
Shade Tree
Member
Username: Shadetree
Registered: 6-2007
Post Number: 345
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2010 - 6:45 pm: |
|
Thomas
Read his post #50 from Aug 2.
After an hour and a half mowing in 75 degree temperature, filters on both tractors were between 185 and 190 degrees.
Ole Rob has pulled out all the stops and made promises a politician would be proud of. He was mis-quoted it only looked and sounded like mistress. Never would he have even thought such a thing. Where is Jerry when you need him. What is that word that he meant to use instead of mistress???
Oh well at least for the purpose here of getting the temperature readings for BOTH tractors for the HOUR and a HALF time frame it seems like Rob has pulled it off.
We all hope this will be long term. None of us even noticed that Rob thought he had a mistress. I mean what ever that word is that Jerry is going to supply.
ST |
Rob McMillan
Member
Username: Robmc
Sk
Registered: 1-2010
Post Number: 52
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2010 - 12:06 am: |
|
She is a kind and forgiving lady and as soon as I am done dusting and vacuuming I can go to the shop for an hour. |
Shade Tree
Member
Username: Shadetree
Registered: 6-2007
Post Number: 346
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2010 - 6:34 am: |
|
Rob
I don't know how long the dusting takes but it's not out in the elements like the mowing. So it still looks to me like you have a good deal and a fine lady. And you sound to be first class also.
ST |
