I have a Lincoln Weldan Power 250 amp portable welder with a 16hp Briggs engine. The motor ws recently overhauled and now the welder has developed a problem. The first time I used the welder when I got it back from the shop it wouldn't hardly arc so I took the cover off of it and tried it again. The wire coming from the selector switch got hot and started to smoke. I quickly shut it off. It welded fine before it went to the shop. What could be wrong with it?

check the flywheel key to be sure it is still in position if that is ok i would check valves to be sure they are in spec.

We need a better description of what is happening. I see many engine driven welders that when loaded up heavily the engine rpm drops because of needing a tune up or complete engine overhaul. Since the engine can't run at designed r.p.m. the welder won't put out "full power" With a better description of problem, Such as engine is not slowing down but will only weld at 100 amps experts here could help you better.

I would definitely take it back and talk to the service manager.

I know whats wrong licoln is a giant peice of **** i had this same thing happen to my ranger 8 look at your pc board 2 chips fell out ill bet on it

use a multi-viscosity sae sj grade or better oil. recommended motor oil is 10w-30. if you work in cold environments use a 5w-30 oil . it's thinner and will flow easier during cold starts. synthetic oil is better, just more expensive. do regular oil changes at least every one hundred hours. good luck!

their will be a K # ser# and code# at the top left of the face just the hour meter these are the numbers you will need for ordering parts if you need engine parts you will need to look as where the engine mounts to the lower caddy their will be a boss with engine ident their as well their can be a stamp on the block by the carb mount their wont be other #'s for the welder it self the numbers that will be stamped will be part #'s like on the gen unit it's self.
hope this helps

there is a controller board issue at that point it will have to go to a service center do to there are no supplier's for them other that Lincoln go to their sit HERE and find a service center in your area these boards range from $250.00 to $600.00 there is 4 of them in the machine they will have to remove the top and swap the boards till they find the right one have the same welder i have been through this with Lincoln already hope this helps

The engine has low oil level shutdown. It may be the reason for stopping.

Use the welder only at level condition. Check the oil level, before every start.
If no result, find and check the oil sensor contact (if possible replace with good to check). Try with disconnected and shortened contact prior to buying a new one.

Other possible reasons you already checked

Better late then never! im-308 total lube oil is 4 pints for a briggs and stratton engine
.
and 3.5 for an onan engine with filter change.

Note: an internal kill switch will shut down the engine if the oil level drops below a minumum

operating level on the onan engine only.

on your welder use a multi-viscosity sae sj grade or better oil. recommended is 10w-30.

if you work in cold environments use 5w-30 oil , it's thinner and will flow easier

during cold starts. Synthetic oil is better. just more expensive. change oil at least

every 100 hours for better performance. good luck!

my 20 hp onan won't start it's getting fuel and spark. it will fire and almost run then stop. and a few times poped back through the carb. it has good compresson .and the flywheel key has been replaced