Skip to main content
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Ransomes Marquis MK4 20” Issues

Enter a word or two to search the forum section and click the Search Forum button.

Hi guys! I'm new to this site and own a Ransomes Marquis 20" MK4. 
 

Having recently gone through the arduous process of replacing the clutch cable, with some serious trial and error to get it all working again, I now have a couple of other issues I have noticed and thought someone may be able to help. 

The two nuts that hold the throttle lever in place do not stay in for very long and I ultimately ended up losing one today on the lawn. I think I may need a new throttle lever - does anybody know where I can source one of these?

Also, the engine only seems happy when firing up with the choke lever at the very bottom position, which I think is normal. However, it will only run nicely with this lever raised up about an inch from the lowest position - any more than this and the engine cuts out as soon as you increase the throttle.
 

My garden runs at about a 5 degree slope from top to bottom, when I turn at the top, the engine revs more highly and I have to reduce the throttle as I go down to the bottom - is this normal? 

It went in for a bit of an overhaul last year - repointing, carb cleaned out, new starter motor, new pull cord and a few other bits, so I do try and take care of it - but the above issues are a little frustrating. Any advice would be hugely appreciated! Thank you. James 
 

 

Forums

wristpin Sat, 11/04/2020

Interesting info about the garden but as usual, an image or two will identify the engine and carburettor type and also the type of throttle lever.

Having to fiddle with the choke on any engine is usually an indication of a dirty carburettor.

foxjames89 Sun, 12/04/2020

Ok, I have uploaded a few pics which should give a bit more of an idea. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! 

wristpin Sun, 12/04/2020

Unfortunately the images are stuck in the ether somewhere. Keith usually says that it is because the sender has forgotten to press the Insert button after uploading them from camera or photo library.

foxjames89 Sun, 12/04/2020

Sorry about that! There we go. I've put the choke lever into the position it is happy running at. 

wristpin Sun, 12/04/2020

All is revealed!

Almost certainly a good clean of the carburettor will sort the need for some choke . The engine dying when you ask for more power is typical of a weak mixture. A change of engine speed / power on a gradient could just be down to a change of fuel level in the float bowl. Being an ungoverned engine , maintaining an even speed is down to a delicate throttle hand.

The throttle lever should have an internal double coil spring washer ( thackery / binx washer) that applies friction and keeps it in the desired position. If it is present it may have weakened or alternatively the lever may just be too well lubricated.

hortimech Sun, 12/04/2020

That is a Villiers A15 engine and if it has points, an early one. Also if I remember correctly, it will very probably have a governor.

The F12 was made for quite a number of years, the A15 for a lot less than 10 years.

From memory, the carb has to be kept clean, or you get the problem you are having, it will not run without partial choke.

foxjames89 Sun, 12/04/2020

Thank you both for your advice. I will give the carb a good clean and when I use the mower again in a few days, I'll let you know the outcome. 
 

In terms of the throttle lever, the issue is actually that the thread inside no longer receives the bolts properly which hold it in place. Any ideas where I may be able to source a replacement?

layzeefox Mon, 13/04/2020

This thing with the photo's seems to happening regularly, in fact every time I've tried to post pictures and I have followed the advice given. It's a good job Keith keeps monitoring the site as he has always got mine through.

Can there be a problem with the site?? or do these damn new fangled gadgets just try to trip us oldies up.

wristpin Mon, 13/04/2020

I’m a 1943 model year and seem to be able to manage it, but for choice I always resize and send from the PC rather than the iPad .  The forum software does seem to require an extra “ layer” of action compared with other ( non mower) forums that I post on but so long as one sticks to the protocol it does work.  

I’ve always suspected that those who have issues are used to dragging and dropping , possibly from a phone, and not reading the rules !! sad 

wristpin Mon, 13/04/2020

In terms of the throttle lever, the issue is actually that the thread inside no longer receives the bolts properly which hold it in place. Any ideas where I may be able to source a replacement?

Confused - "the issue is actually that the thread (singular) inside"  , "no longer receives the bolts (plural) properly".  So are we talking about the centre screw that retains the lever or the two screws that clamp it to the handle bar? If the latter, and the threads in the lever base are stripped you may find that that replacing the (probably) imperial screws with metric ones may find some bite in the relatively soft casting. If it is just that the screws are done up tight but that the lever is not gripping the handlebar a strip of plastic cut from a milk carton usually solves the problem.

Chris G Mon, 13/04/2020

Hello, I have a similar machine and yes the clutch cable replacement is a dead silly process :-)

I got my Marquis cables from Jon Cruse at the mower centre on line, very helpful, long shot but they may have the throttle control - https://www.themowercentrehailsham.com/

I also found it a bit difficult to work out your bar lever throttle control issue, I can break mine out if it helps, I was going to suggest tapping a size up, but knowing it is soft monkey metal I am not sure how much there is to work with.

Posting images is fine when you get the hang of it, quite how wristpin manages to post emojis is beyond me, must be an elevated patronage thing :-)

wristpin Tue, 14/04/2020

Not quite sure why people are having trouble with Marquis clutch cable replacement. Possibly due to not having made or purchased the tool that allows the traction clutch to be released enough without dismantling to give access to the anchor for the inner cable. yes devil    

 

Clive1962 Tue, 14/04/2020

Just like the one at work, that came with the 20" Mk5M.smiley....whilst mine at home is a more recent purchase and arrived in current Ransomes green....from Whites of Willoughby via now retired agents, LMS(Lincoln)Ltd.

 

C.

Chris G Tue, 14/04/2020

Made mine also and shaved down one end to act as big slotted driver for the side case bolt on something else - multi tool!

OK with advice & hindsight its all easily done. Anyway, point being, if you don't have one or don't know it's not that intuitive and not exactly quick even if you do for a simple cable change.wink