1512D running hot

[mkopishke]

My 1512D is running hotter and hotter. I noticed it last year, my needle always stayed somewhere near the middle. It's just progressively to the right more and more, yesterday is was almost pegged.

The obvious two things are the thermostat, which is pretty easy to fix or maybe the pump, which would be a bit trickier but not that bad.

I should note that the screen in front of the radiator is clean, as is the radiator.

Anyone run into this before? I would like to know where to start before start throwing money at the problem.

Thanks.

 

[dross]

Water pumps can go bad and thats kinda how it works it just slowly gets hotter over time.

 

[mkopishke]

Well, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.

I had to loosen the fan/pump belt to do some work around the starter, and you guessed it, I never tightened it back up again.

While it still runs a bit hotter then I would like it's back to something manageable.

I'm going to pull the thermostat and see how hot it runs. That's a pretty easy way to check that out anyway.

 

[aschumacher]

Matt...dont feel too bad. I worked on a mower last week and couldn't get it to start when finished.
Neighbor came over and said "why dont you put the sparkplug wire back on?" DUH!

 

[dross]

Not to hijack the thread but years ago my dad tightened up the head on a 12 horse briggs without pulling the spark plug wire out of the way. It's a very distinctive sound when an alluminum head snaps in half.

 

[mkopishke]

Ah, it won't be my last "DUH" moment either.

Funny how you only notice these things AFTER you've posted. I prefer to keep my brain cramps to my self.

 

[jdiederichs]

Matt: Make sure that the side panels for your 1512 have the slots in from the factory, some were missed. Both the left and right side panels should have 1/2" x (4) I think slots. The location is near the bottom where the sides radius back towards the frame,(they actually "look" downwards) near the radiator. These increase airflow substantially.

That radiator is really marginal anyway, so it may need a good flush or have a shop clean it. Helped alot on mine. But please check for those slots, they help alot too.