15 replies to this topic

[propane1]

What temperature does our small air cooled engines run at ? Just a general idea of a garden or lawn tractor engine. And if you had a temperature tester where would you check it on the engine, and running or after it's just shut off? Just wondering. Noel

[boyscout862]

As I remember from 1970, we were told that VWs were at 350*. I expect that the small air cooled engines are about the same. Good Luck, Rick

[GWest]

Stuck an electrical temperature sending unit in for an oil drain plug in a 23-Series B&S many years ago and it still runs 190 F to 220 F depending how hard I'm working it.

 

Garry

[tater195]

EGTs are probably in the 700 range

[Bmerf]

Good question. I have no idea, but too hot to touch; especially the exhaust.

If I remember tomorrow, I will shoot an engine with a HF infrared thermometer.  

[wvbuzzmaster]

Hot enough to burn 500 degree heat paint off a muffler..... That was a very smelly experience.... And disappointing to have spent a half day on that muffer... For it to look the same after 20 minutes lol.

[karel]

not hot enough to cook on!

[Freddie1911]

 When the cart engines started getting in the 380-390 range we would start cooling them down. We were reading running head temp gauges.

[JDBrian]

Sounds like they run much hotter than a water cooled engine, which makes sense. A lot of cooling fins and fans on GT's used as mowers are completely plugged with grass clippings. They must run at some seriously high temps! 

[toomanytoys84]

Sounds like they run much hotter than a water cooled engine, which makes sense. A lot of cooling fins and fans on GT's used as mowers are completely plugged with grass clippings. They must run at some seriously high temps! 

 

I have taken apart some engines that I have no idea how they didn't catch on fire for all the dried glass clippings I found behind the tins packed into the cooling fins.

[Bmerf]

Totally un-scientific: HF infrared temperature gun, Sears ST/10, 10 hp Tecumseh, 10 min  warm-up, no load, 85-90% throttle. 61* outside temp with 100% humidity, been raining off and on all day; 68* inside poll barn, doors open. Hard to get accurate readings of the head because of installed tins.

 

66-67* @ air screen

78*  @ air cleaner top

81*  @ carburetor throttle blade

88* @ head at spark plug

150* @ head near carburetor mount

120* @ head near dipstick

160* @ top of fin near dipstick (surprisingly)

560-570* @ center of salt shaker type muffler (450* @ idle)

400-410* @ side of salt shaker type muffler (350* @ idle)

 

Forgot to check engine block at oil pan.

 

I'm sure the numbers would be higher if outside temperatures were elevated and machine was run loaded for a hour or two. Who knows maybe in August, I'll check the numbers again.

 

Brian

[tater195]

I have taken apart some engines that I have no idea how they didn't catch on fire for all the dried glass clippings I found behind the tins packed into the cooling fins.

I cracked a few where the oil got hot enough to shellac the inside and change the the aluminum to a light brown

[Freddie1911]

not hot enough to cook on!

 Change the muffler to a pancake style, She'll cook

[pigsitter]

I'll add these temps I got yesterday before the rain set in and my internet went out, JD 214 with a 14hp K series kohler.

Muffler temp of 280,

muffler outlet temp 375,

block temp of 150,

these temps are after 15 to 20 minutes running around the yard picking up limbs with an 80 degree outside temp.

[Freddie1911]

 When the cart engines started getting in the 380-390 range we would start cooling them down. We were reading running head temp gauges.

These were max temps, stored in the tach & temp guage. They were at full load under full throttle. The temps would fall off fast when the engine went to idle. So your IR readings may not be the same. Auburn post on backfires ( bending push rods) and this is just my opinion, was due to shutting down a fast idle engine that is hot. Intake full of gas, valve overlap and hot exhaust makes it just right for that last explosion. I'll always let'm cool down. These are just my take on things.