Sears air-cooled 5 hp

ericick2003

Cadet
Joined
Apr 23, 2003
Messages
7
The motor is a air-cooled, Sears, "ESKA" I think, Tecumsah (basically a lawn mower engine), about 15-20 years old, magneto, condenser, points at 0.020", 24:1 gas2oil, leaded gas. Anyone know if it is possible and how to adjust the timing on this thing? If so, how and what should it be? Anyone know why it has to be leaded gas? It's a 2 cycle motor... its got spark, 100# compression, very simple float carburator thats just been cleaned, new gaskets, looks fine. Last year it ran great. This year...It will only start after about 50 (fifty!) pulls, AND only at the high speed stop, where it will rough sputter for about 3 minutes, and then finally wind up and run like a champ. If I try and slow it down less than half throttle, it sputters and croaks.
 

ericick2003

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Joined
Apr 23, 2003
Messages
7
Re: Sears air-cooled 5 hp

Found out it was the points all along! The points were slightly cupped, took 'em out, filed them flat, and re-gapped at 0.015" to advance the timing. Starts on second pull and runs like a champ. Counter to what is discussed in this forum, this is a dependable, good running and easy to work on motor; parts are easily available.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Sears air-cooled 5 hp

Howdy, Ericick.<br /><br />Glad you got her running right. :) <br /><br />The Tecumseh engine is a chainsaw shortblock, not a lawnmower.<br /><br />You don't need leaded gas. newer unleaded is superior and doesn't leave as many deposits in the engine.<br /><br />Be sure to use chainsaw oil, not outboard oil, to mix your fuel. The aircooled engines run hotter and need a different oil package than the water cooled engines for best life.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Sears air-cooled 5 hp

Setting the points to .015 will retard the timing.<br /> It takes longer for points to reach the point on the cam where they will open.If you want to use the points to advance the timing open the gap.<br /> I dont reccomend advancing the timing,<br />especially on an aircooled motor.
 

Squeakit

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2002
Messages
216
Re: Sears air-cooled 5 hp

Hi Ericick: I have a Sears 7.5hp Tecumseh/Eska engine that jumps my little 12ft pram up on plane and goes a comfortable 15mph GPS. Great little engine, only weighs 40lbs and has its own built in gas tank. Simple and efficient little engine. DONT NEGLECT THE WATER PUMP ON THESE ENGINES! The lower leg and exhaust gases are water cooled and if your impeller goes out you will fry the engine just as surely as if it were totally watercooled. Parts are available from Sears at PartsDirect.com or dial 1-800-FOR MY HOME to talk to a person. I think these old engines are great because of the power-to-weight ratio. My old 'rude 5.5hp motor weighs 56lbs with a big metal pressure tank that when full weighs another 40 or 50lbs. No comparison, except the old 'rude is quiet and smmother than the Sears. Good luck with yours!
 

warhammer3331

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Joined
Mar 14, 2010
Messages
2
Re: Sears air-cooled 5 hp

sorry for this post i don't know if i am in the right spot for it
i had just bought a eska 5hp from a yard sale and wanted to get it going
so i can do some fishing out in the lake


Dose any one have a manual on a eska 5hp model 1705D
is there any free manuals online ?
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Sears air-cooled 5 hp

sorry for this post i don't know if i am in the right spot for it
i had just bought a eska 5hp from a yard sale and wanted to get it going
so i can do some fishing out in the lake


Dose any one have a manual on a eska 5hp model 1705D
is there any free manuals online ?

You are in the right spot, but please start a new topic. This one is nearly 7 years old. Wastes our time reading through it before even getting to your question.
 
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