Bunton B52-125K WB looking for some help

[curdy]

Hey everyone, I just picked up a free Bunton B52-125K WB with a Kawi FB460V this morning. Guy lived 4 miles from my house too. He was the second owner and got it from a church that used to use it on one site. He used it last year and then couldn't get it started this season. Took it to a shop and they said the engine should just be replaced. I'm still trying to get the specifics of what the shop said, but it sounds like they said some valve seals were shot?

I'm just a handy DIY'er type that has done some engine repair, but nothing too extensive. But give me a manual with pictures and some troubleshooting info and I haven't come across anything I wasn't able to fix yet. That's of course as long as I can get parts for it ;)

I've seen a lot of threads on this engine, so I'm going to first try to figure out what exactly is wrong with it and then reference those. Its about 1/3 taken apart right now.

For now, here are a couple of questions...Does anyone have much info on this model mower? Do you think its worth fixing up? I'm mowing 2 acres right now with a 42" JD L118. I was on the look out for a larger mower, so this fits the bill if it can be fixed up and be reliable.

Thanks in advance guys!

[Valk]

A 52" inch deck powered by a 15-16hp engine is a bit underpowered, IMHO. If you end up replacing it then I'd recommend at least 19hp...at least.
.02

[Two Seasons]

Have the shop do a leak-down test so you know exactly what you have left in the engine. May only need new reed valves? May be cheap to fix once that leak-down test is done.

[curdy]

Hey guys, thanks for the heads up. I'll have to put the engine back together to run the test, but that shouldn't be that bad. The machine itself seems to be in pretty good shape. Although I've never worked on any of these, so I can't use any experience to tell me what kind of shape its in. I'll try to get some pictures up a little later...I have a crazy week here, so it may be a little while.

I'm considering selling as-is for repair or parts based on the fact that I already have a running mower (although its a smaller than I'd like) and have enough projects going on! I wouldn't expect much for it, but it may be worth it to someone.

[curdy]

Have the shop do a leak-down test so you know exactly what you have left in the engine. May only need new reed valves? May be cheap to fix once that leak-down test is done.

BTW, aren't reed valves only on 2 stroke engines?

[betmr]

BTW, aren't reed valves only on 2 stroke engines?

YES they are.

[betmr]

Hey everyone, I just picked up a free Bunton B52-125K WB with a Kawi FB460V this morning. Guy lived 4 miles from my house too. He was the second owner and got it from a church that used to use it on one site. He used it last year and then couldn't get it started this season. Took it to a shop and they said the engine should just be replaced. I'm still trying to get the specifics of what the shop said, but it sounds like they said some valve seals were shot?

I'm just a handy DIY'er type that has done some engine repair, but nothing too extensive. But give me a manual with pictures and some troubleshooting info and I haven't come across anything I wasn't able to fix yet. That's of course as long as I can get parts for it ;)

I've seen a lot of threads on this engine, so I'm going to first try to figure out what exactly is wrong with it and then reference those. Its about 1/3 taken apart right now.

For now, here are a couple of questions...Does anyone have much info on this model mower? Do you think its worth fixing up? I'm mowing 2 acres right now with a 42" JD L118. I was on the look out for a larger mower, so this fits the bill if it can be fixed up and be reliable.

Thanks in advance guys!

Might just need a good Cleaning. You know... take the Carburetor off and clean it out good, get the cob webs out, clean the rust off the Magneto. I would have never broken it all down without cleaning it all up and trying it myself, who knows there might be nothing wrong with it.

Why does everyone look for the worst possible scenario, when the problem could very well just be STALE GAS.

[curdy]

Might just need a good Cleaning. You know... take the Carburetor off and clean it out good, get the cob webs out, clean the rust off the Magneto. I would have never broken it all down without cleaning it all up and trying it myself, who knows there might be nothing wrong with it.

Why does everyone look for the worst possible scenario, when the problem could very well just be STALE GAS.

I'm with you on this. I wasn't the one who took it apart (and remember its not totally broken down, the majority of it is still together). It shouldn't take me very long to put it back together and put some fresh gas in there and see what's up with it.

I'll try to get some pictures up, that will help...plus, if I do go with selling it, I'll need pics anyways.

[curdy]

OK, I heard back from the guy I got the mower from. He said the shop told him the valve seats were bad.

[Two Seasons]

Sorry about the reed valve comment. Senior moment!

[betmr]

OK, I heard back from the guy I got the mower from. He said the shop told him the valve seats were bad.

Might be....Then again, might not be. You know what I mean ? :dancing:

[curdy]

Might be....Then again, might not be. You know what I mean ? :dancing:

Yeah I do know what you mean. Is there a way to tell by looking at it? (pictures)

[betmr]

Yeah I do know what you mean. Is there a way to tell by looking at it? (pictures)

Can you see where the valves seat in their ports ? When they are open is the seat area look burned, hairline cracks. Close them and shine a flashlight from the other side, see any light come through where they seat.

It's not really a common problem, unless your FEEDING it stater fluid (good stuff when you need it, but burns really hot) I'm sorry, I just think it was probably a low ticket repair, that may have gotten inflated. Crank & Rod Bearings, Piston Rings or Valve Guide Seals, I could believe more, I mean heck it's not a nitro burning dragster or super high RPM **** Racer. What's gonna damage the valve seats ? Maybe you ran it in the Desert for a year w/no air cleaner ? If that's the case you'll have more than Valve seats to worry about. He He He

This is just my opinion, without seeing it myself, I can say for sure. But at my age I can tell you this truth Both Equipment and Automotive wise, I have NEVER had to do more to valves, than adjust them, or replace the seals.

[betmr]

One more thing in case you start taking things apart. Those valves and their respective ports are a match, they wear in together you must put the same valve back in the same port !!!

[curdy]

:laugh:

I hear ya. There may be a little 'whisper down the lane' effect going on here too. Meaning, the previous owner may have gotten mixed up in relaying what the shop said to me accurately. Good news is that the same shop that I bought my JD from is the shop that looked at this mower. It was a while ago, but I'm thinking they have it on record...I'm sure they billed him for the time to check it out.

I'll try to call over there tomorrow and see what they have to say.

I'm still plugging away on work stuff here :dizzy:, so I can't get away to take any pics.

[curdy]

One more thing in case you start taking things apart. Those valves and their respective ports are a match, they wear in together you must put the same valve back in the same port !!!

May be too late for that since they already took it apart. We'll have to see I guess.

[betmr]

May be too late for that since they already took it apart. We'll have to see I guess.

Oh boy, I'm guessing this is a twin, right ? Well the exhaust valves are usually larger, You might see which ones match the openings best. Or if it's that far broke down, Look in the yellow pages for an auto machine shop and have them rework everything for you. Bip Bam Boom, like brand new.

[curdy]

Nope, single cylinder

[betmr]

Nope, single cylinder

Good small valve small hole big vavle....

[betmr]

You know that should really be an easy rebuild, especially if it's all broken down. It would be a waist to put it all back together, without replacing all the wear parts. Have you ever done anything like LAP valve seats, nothing to it really. some new rings, crank bearings, and valve seals. See if you can find a service manual for that engine. try the engine manufacturer's web site. You'll need the numbers off the engine. Model #, Code #, & serial #. Should be a nomenclature plate on the engine.

[betmr]

There are more numbers after the model #, what are they. Your parts diagrams are at kawpower.com can't find manual there.

[curdy]

I was reading the model off the engine cover which didn't list anything else...I'm sure there's more on the block, I'll have to look later. I've found a couple of places selling manuals, but I thought I'd check first to see if anyone had an e-copy already.

[betmr]

I was reading the model off the engine cover which didn't list anything else...I'm sure there's more on the block, I'll have to look later. I've found a couple of places selling manuals, but I thought I'd check first to see if anyone had an e-copy already.

Check your PM, I got something there for you.

[curdy]

You the man Thumbs Up

[betmr]

You the man Thumbs Up

So I recon you were able to get it, then ?:clapping:

[curdy]

Yup, may take me a while to actually get to work on it, but I'll get there.

[betmr]

Good deal. Anything else, just PM me. Good luck !