"Mike" wrote in message
...

"AAG" wrote in message
news
I've just bought (online) a new Castel lawnmower with a 5.5 hp Honda
engine
and notice that the engine is bolted to the aluminium deck by three
bolts.

The engine has four evenly spaced mounting holes but one of them does not
line up with a hole in the deck therefore the span between two of the
mounting bolts is approxiately 180°.

Should I be concerned about this??




Yes.

Is the Aluminium plate a casting or a sheet plate? A casting could split,
a
plate tear.


The deck is a single aluminium casting with four strengthened bits for
engine fixing.



How far out of line is the 4th hole?

Nearly the width of the hole. At the moment it would nearly be possible to
poke a 1/8 th inch drill through.



Is the plate drilled and tapped or a clear hole for a bolt to go through
then a nut on the underside?

Could the hole be made to line up with the assistance of a smaller round
file?

Definitly not. It is too far out and drilling or filing would move the hole
out of the strenghened area. There does not seem to be any scope for
loosening off the others and moving the engine slightly as the holes need to
line up exactly.



Have you contacted the seller and raised your concerns? This should be
done
before you do anything yourself, but I have a feeling that if they sent it
out like that they couldn't care less, BUT, they could be a fine company,
be
concerned and exchange it for you.


Yes I've just emailed asking about this and they replied:

" I can confirm that the positioning of the engine to the deck is normal.
this ih how all the Honda engines are fitted to machines. "

He is saying that all Honda engines are mounted by three bolts with one hole
left unused!!!