Bobcat 610 loses power when turning and hard starting

[MonkeyMan]

My grandfather just gave me an older bobcat 610 with the Wisconsin VH4D motor. Runs great but when i try to do sharp turns or turn in place the motor slows down and sounds like it will die. If i drive forward at full speed and then turn 180 in my tracks i can make it but right when i get turned around she's about dead. Concerning starting: Put a brand new group 24 battery with I believe 800 CA into it and it acts as if it is a dying battery. Wondering if the clutch (the one that looks like a snowmobile clutch) is engaged and causing extra drag. To get around this i shoot a little starting fluid in it and she pops off on the first crank. Any thoughts/Tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[HanSolo]

The loss of power and difficult starting sounds like what my M700 did after I got the engine freed up. When those VH4D engines sit for long periods of time the rings get sticky and it loses compression. Put a compression gauge on each cylinder and see what you've got. It should be 90-120 PSI.

 

[dirtpig538]

Make sure you have your variable speed lever all the way back before you try to turn. It will take a lot less power. Also, when starting, do the same.

 

[MonkeyMan]

Make sure you have your variable speed lever all the way back before you try to turn. It will take a lot less power. Also, when starting, do the same.

Ah That makes sense. I will make sure to try this out. It definitely did not get a lot of use when my grandfather had it. So if the rings did get sticky from sitting is there a way to free them up without having to open up the engine? Thanks for tips!

 

[HanSolo]

Ah That makes sense. I will make sure to try this out. It definitely did not get a lot of use when my grandfather had it. So if the rings did get sticky from sitting is there a way to free them up without having to open up the engine? Thanks for tips!

Mine was basically frozen up from sitting 3 years. I used WD40, PB Blaster and transmission fluid (one after another, not all together) to get the rings free. It ran pretty good for a while but then started loosing compression. I don't know of any other product or procedure that will help that condition beyond engine rebuild.

 

[jerry]

Mine was basically frozen up from sitting 3 years. I used WD40, PB Blaster and transmission fluid (one after another, not all together) to get the rings free. It ran pretty good for a while but then started loosing compression. I don't know of any other product or procedure that will help that condition beyond engine rebuild.

Check the mechanical spark advance in the distributor also, its down under the point mounting plate. They do rust up if sitting for a while and it will affect power.

 

[MonkeyMan]

Check the mechanical spark advance in the distributor also, its down under the point mounting plate. They do rust up if sitting for a while and it will affect power.

Thanks Everyone! So far it seems that there are some easy things for me to try prior to tearing into the engine. Much appreciated. Will try these out next week and let you all know what I find out.