Stumped

[Katj]

I have been given a compressor, it has a honda 5hp engine which seems to run perfectly and starts 1st/2nd pull - and here comes the But - it will only start if the drive belt is off - as soon as I put the drive belt on the pulley it just will not start

Any idea's Please

 

[rtbcomp]

Try it with the outlet valve on the tank fully open, if there's any load on the pump it may have difficulty turning it over.

 

[Katj]

Thanks, just tried that but still no start - perhaps it's me not being strong enough - but I can start the farm one and thats bigger

 

[tigler]

How easily does the pulley on the compressor pump turn with the belt off ?

 

[madkayaker]

Sounds like the pump might be stuck to me

 

[Katj]

The pump turns fine ... thats why I'm stumped I have checked just about all I can ... pump works and engine runs ... but put the belt on and I cannot get it to start ... have got 2 men from the farm to have a go at starting they had same results and cannot think what the problem is ... there is about 1/2" play in belt should there be more?
The engine is a replacement so could it be wrong pulley wheel ratio's??

 

[rtbcomp]

Does it fire and not run, or not even try to fire?

 

[Katj]

With the belt on the pulley wheel it does not fire as it does not seem to turn over fast enough as it is harder to pull the strater cord ... with out the belt on the pulley it pulls easy and fires up

hope this makes sense as I don't know the technical terms

 

[tigler]

Sounds like it could be ignition related. Is the engine electronic or points ignition ?

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Belt too tight?

 

[Katj]

Sounds like it could be ignition related. Is the engine electronic or points ignition ?

Engine is a Honda G200 5hp and I think it has points ignition

 

[Katj]

Belt too tight?

I don't know how much play there should be ... but i can get the belt on and off the pulley quite easily and when pressed it travels approx 1/2" to 3/4"

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

So loosen it,won't do any harm to see if it starts better? if the engine has been changed? the chances are the pully size might be slightly larger?

 

[tigler]

If it has points, check that the gap is correct, if it's electronic have a look at the spark plug to check for correct gap, or excessive wear, and that the HT lead and cap are in good condition.

 

[Katj]

If it has points, check that the gap is correct, if it's electronic have a look at the spark plug to check for correct gap, or excessive wear, and that the HT lead and cap are in good condition.

Please forgive me if this sounds daft but why would does it start and run quite happily until I put the belt back on the pulley (pump turns over freely) this is what I don't understand ... surely if there were any problems with the engine it just would not start or run at all?

 

[fenman]

Please forgive me if this sounds daft but why would does it start and run quite happily until I put the belt back on the pulley (pump turns over freely) this is what I don't understand ... surely if there were any problems with the engine it just would not start or run at all?

x2 is there a clutch maybe not working

 

[Katj]

So loosen it,won't do any harm to see if it starts better? if the engine has been changed? the chances are the pully size might be slightly larger?

OK will try that when I work out how too - It looks like I will have to move the whole engine ... both pulley shafts are fixed with no lateral adjustment

 

[tigler]

Please forgive me if this sounds daft but why would does it start and run quite happily until I put the belt back on the pulley (pump turns over freely) this is what I don't understand ... surely if there were any problems with the engine it just would not start or run at all?

Engines typically have a minimum starting speed before they will run, the extra drag of the compressor and drive belt may be preventing the threshold speed being reached. Any lack of spark voltage will increase the start speed required before the engine will run, so it will start without the pump drag but not with it.
So if any of the ignition system is under performing this could be causing the problem.

 

[Katj]

x2 is there a clutch maybe not working

Sorry you have lost me ... manual does not show clutch

 

[Katj]

Engines typically have a minimum starting speed before they will run, the extra drag of the compressor and drive belt may be preventing the threshold speed being reached. Any lack of spark voltage will increase the start speed required before the engine will run, so it will start without the pump drag but not with it.
So if any of the ignition system is under performing this could be causing the problem.

Thank you ... that makes it clearer ... will see about new contacts etc ansd see if that works ... if not I know a nice scrap man