Thanks for Watching! Find a link to all of my "Must Have", Favorite Tools HERE!! www.amazon.com/shop/chickanic?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfchickanic_9ERPFPBNGQ924P8NS63B
Love this. I as women took a small engine class. I can fix a few small things, people were skeptical until they figured out I did know a few things about engines. Saved a fortune just replacing primer bulbs and fuel filters
Thank you so much for the hint on tipping the mower forward to get it started after it had been sitting for a while! I had to replace a stop wire, which was back ordered, so found a car stereo guy who fixed it for me free! Thank God! And also found a guy who gave the tip on using a business card to space when replacing the coil, which was fine just didn’t realize it had to be spaced right when putting it back in place! And you taught me about it most likely wasn’t the coil when you weren’t getting a spark. I love tinkering with things I think I can fix and am so thankful for all my TH-cam teachers! You are my new favorite channel!😊
I did a repair on a 2 year old, low hours, Stihl MS170 saw that would not start. Not even a pop. Had fuel (new fuel), 130psi of compression, new plug, correct coil to flywheel gap, and had fire. Even-though the saw produced spark, my suspicion was a weak coil. A shot of starting fluid (designed for gasoline engines) directly in the cylinder, did not show any sign toward a successful start. New coil replacement did the trick. I watched a few of your videos. Excellent. Well done and very thorough.
It is a real pleasure to learn from a very practical, but experienced small engine expert. ( though I noticed a Carb riser for a Holley in a scene.) "I am 76, but "chicks" have never been an issue for me in a male dominated world. I owned, built, repaired and drove premium sprint cars and midgets for about 15 years. Many times, my high school age daughter was my crew chief. She controlled setup and tuning and I put my life in her hands. I am proud of her, as you may imagine.
Thank you, this video has helped me a bunch, I have a Murray 21” push mower with a B&S engine, got it out & changed the oil, put in fresh gas push primer button three times pulled the rope busted right off, used it then went in for lunch, went back out, no start changed spark plug still no start. You’re talking about checking for spark by holding the plug up to the motor, I watched my Grandpa do that when I was a kid back in the sixty’s. Thanks again for what you do, this is my second video watching, first one was a chainsaw that was broken because the chain bit into a nail. Again it’s great to see a Woman doing what you do, I noticed that you replied to my comment, but it was late. Sometimes I don’t check notifications until the next day. I always praise people who put out good videos, I click on the ones that spark my interest. Well it time to go outside & work on my project. Hope you have a blessed day today from one of your Texas viewers & God Bless
I "mashed" that subscribe button a long time ago! Great content! From eastern NC where we "mash" things and always check for the "far" in the spark plug. Echo SRM 225 trimmer, and Cub Cadet XT2 LX42 Enduro with fabricated deck. Ran a JD LA 115 for 16 years and gave it to my 15 YO grandson who completely restored it and it still runs like a champ.
Great i am 80 and your videos clear the cobwebbs from my memory banks really helpful and good feeling again to fix small problems you have covered john
Thanks! I just got my log splitter back up and running for a few pennies thanks to your video. A mouse chewed the wire from the switch to the coil. A foot of auto wire and two connectors had it up and running again. I really appreciate how you get right to the point with your videos and actually do the work while you talk instead of blathering on and on while just standing in front of the camera like so many of the "experts" on TH-cam are prone to do.
Crazy thing, but I've had this happen twice: bad coil turned out to be good coil with bad ground to block. I admit it's rare, but a quick wire brush cleaning and reinstall is worth the time. I'm sure there's an ohm test of some kind, but that's above my skillset. I LOVE your videos!
For 22 years I worked at grain elevators. We had many B&S engines mounted on various pieces of equipment that farmers would take to the field and then return. Everything was stored out in the weather. 99 times out of a hundred, a no spark was caused by the coil and the magnet on the flywheel being rusted. Not a thin layer but a really thick layer. Remove the coil, shine it and the magnet with emery cloth and all was super sparky. Even though my equipment is stored indoors, that's still the first thing I check. After that it's on to your method. Thank you for all the really great information!
My 22 year old Echo SRM2110 would not start a few weeks ago. No spark at all. I tried to look up a new coil but alas, most parts are no longer available. After 22 years of trouble free service I opted to buy a new Echo SRM266. I always use echo based premix and attribute that and the high quality of Echo products for their long life. Anyway, the new trimmer worked great (as expected). I did find a new aftermarket replace,et coil on Ebay for $18 and figured it was worth a shot. The coil arrived in a few days and once installed I put the trimmer back together, two pulls in the cold start mode it coughed. I opened the choke and in one pull it fired right up. I used it yesterday for about 2.5 hours and it ran like new. Since the 2110 has a boom handle I will put the brush blade on and use it exclusively as a brush cutter. My CS400 chainsaw and 255 blower/vac never let me down either. Sorry to sound like a commercial but I am totally impressed by my Echo products.
You have no idea how many people come into my shop and say, ( My saw ! Weed eater or mower won't fire ! ),. What they mean is it won't fire up,, or start. You have to check it yourself. I have a spark tester just like that and love it. It can also determine if it has a strong or weak spark. Gap jump and color. Great video.
I have a Lisle tool spark tester, works great. I agree the Briggs Quantam engines are the best, currently using one that is nineteen years old, still starts and gets the job done!
Your videos are THE BOMB! Super practical and with the "why" to do something or not. You've helped my diagnostics by leaps and bounds. Keep doing these!!
Very good video! I was in a similar issue with my late father in laws Stihl 026 Chain Saw that I inherited. I pulled and pulled and pulled that thing until my arm fell off one day in the woods lol...I new it wasn't a fuel issue since I could smell fuel, so figured it was spark related, checked for spark there was little to no spark...changed out plug and still had little spark, took off the side cover and checked my wiring to the coil, it was all good, that's when I noticed there was quite a large air gap between the flywheel and the coil. Pulled the coil, checked to see if the magnets were broken but they were in great shape. Did a little research and set the coil back to recommend spec air gap. This is something that should be checked as well. Love your videos. Keep up the great work!
The best engine Briggs ever made was on my dad's 1960s cylinder mower. Never failed, never burned oil, didn't even need a new spark plug. It was still going strong after 40 yesrs.
I have a Poulan BVM 210 that has plenty of spark, compression and fresh gas that I am about to run over with my truck even though it looks brand new. Waiting on the fuel line kit for the old trusty Echo ES. I stopped tinkering with these until I found your channel when my Briggs 550e wouldn't run (the jet), now I have nearly everything fixed for $20 or less :) Big thanks.
Great video as always. Would add 3 things: Loose coil module bolts causing too wide an air gap, internal break in spark plug wire, and boot clip slipped back into boot neck and not making good contact with spark plug tip. Last two could be checked with ohmmeter. Thanks again for making the time and effort to produce these videos!
I thought you were going to grab the plug and turn off the lights and get x rays like in a cartoon! And the finger with a little of skin hanging off from being scraped is charming too because it happens constantly.
I use my digital electric meter set on OHMs. Stick one end into the spark plug end and the other to ground. Just rotate the flywheel when the magnet passes over the coil, it will read zeros. No need for expensive do dads or have someone yank. Now you know. : - )
Well I don't know about that but you can just use a simple test light to check for spark it's how I do it on cars but the echo tester she's she's showing is only about 68 dollars I don't think that's expensive
Yes! Yay! I found my answer after several days working on my lawnmower. After oil change, fresh premium gas, new spark plug, and taking apart the entire carburetor cleaning it out then putting it all back together.Then I came across your channel and watched this video. The first thing you said is to check the cable to see if it opens enough to release kill switch. YES! That was it! I am so happy!!You are the best! Thank you so very much!❤❤❤
Nice video, I recently had a couple of Honda engines that would die after they ran for a while, got hot, then the coil would fail. After cooling of the next day they would fire the engine again. Thanks for great video's. And yes the Quantum engines are great.
It's fun to watch what I have been doing for last 30 years!! In the 30 years,10 years with marine engines. Once in a McCulloch brush cutter I was not able to kill the engine unless I pulled out the plug wire. The inside connection for switch from coil was not in contact. It was a new brush cutter. I changed and it's OK. All the best🙂🙂🙂
I had a Harbor Freight Predator engine, it would start fine when cold, once it got up to operating temperature, it would die, check for spark no spark. 5 minutes later it would start then die. I replaced the coil, no more problems. When you have an intermittent problem those can be harder to find. I do agree if the kill wire is bare at some point it can run and vibration can cause the wire to short out and kill the engine. It took me about 3 hours to figure out the problem on the Predator . Was a fairly easy fix.
I just realized I have been doing business with your shop on and off for the last three years. The funniest part, I was watching your videos for advice on problems I could not solve on my own. Thank yall for your help in shop and on TH-cam. Have a good one!!!!
I rigged a simple device that helps me with this tricky procedure. I fastened a couple of alligator clamps onto each end of about a one foot long electrical wire. One of the clamps is big enough to grip over the metal part of the spark plug. The other clamp can be just about any size so long as it can grip & ground onto a piece of metal (I use a a 6" angle bracket). This gives me the flexibility to have both hands free to spin he motor which can sometimes be done by by hand turning the flywheel, or on bigger engines, I can use a drill or impact. Thus, I can do this in a position where I can see the spark.
Great - you have probably done a video on this but it is easy enough to test the windings on the coil to see if there is continuity. Also - disconnect any kill wire - often there is just one and the other end is just to earth and put a continuity (beep) tester across it and check the kill switch is working properly at the coil end. Just a few simple checks to speed fault-finding up!
I went to the inlaws to find my father inlaw beating the hell out of the flywheel of his push mower , I asked him what he was doing and he said I can't get the flywheel off so I can check the points and I had to explain to him it didn't have points so I fixed it for him and now he knows how to do it himself !
Great Video I have been dealing with my lawn tractor shutting down abruptly after 10 minutes. Hard to restart. Once I finally get it started it will run for 30+ minutes no problem. It ended up being the magneto wire pinched behind the starter. I’m hoping this is resolved now. 👍👍👍👍👍Thank You
Thank you for your time on making these videos. I am sure you have helped a lot people. I have an Echo gas trimmer that needs a module. The trimmer is out of warranty and not registered. I can not find the link you made on this. I pray you keep on making this videos. Have a blessed day. My God be with you and your family
I had a couple of bad coils. One in a chainsaw and one in a lawnmower. Just put them in a 200 degree F oven for an hour. Moisture gets in and does something. The heat will drive out the moisture. Both coils now produce good spark.
Thanks. It's after two years is evergreen. We keep coming from the woods, and appreciate your help. You raised from one percent my hope to ten. I suspected, hoped kill switch or wire on low budget, no name chainsaw. Good exercise. Spark spring fallen of. Fixed. No start. No spark. (how come, together?) Why only ten? For the way it stopped, after one hour use in two days. Started up, running smoothly without choke ....and suddenly speeds up and cuts off by itself. It didn't sound good. Cutting off quickly shows start switch, but what kicjed off the idle so bad? I think, this machine is good to learn on, before I get a pro. I started with breaking off the security system, for they had no warning label on it. They suspected, professionals will buy the 70 $ machine. For sure Well, I don't need it anyway The price came back, for that much cost 1m3 firewood, and I gained acces to 8 with it. Still need to be cut. Actually I wonder if a wired, 3.5 hp electric chainsaw would serve me the best?
Easy lesson even for experienced folk. Here's a good one. Stihl hs45 I have. Coil tests fine. Checked switch, fine. No spark. Put in a new plug, no spark. Even tried a new coil, same. A wtf moment. Suggestions. Thanks
The big one not mentioned on the mowers is a sheared key way from hitting an object with a quick stop of the engine. Just the little shift in the flywheel and nada. On most of the mowers I have salvaged over the years this has been the main reason they were tossed
Great tips! For the life of me, I don’t understand why they don’t make those testers with an audible, as well as a visible signal. How hard could that be right? lol. Thanks fir the vid! 👍👍
I use inexpensive automotive spark testers on small engines too, but you have to keep in mind the spark will look a bit dimmer/weaker. So if you see any spark at all you're probably ok. I have a straight plug tester and a 90° plug tester and haven't found a situation where I need something else.
In my experience it is the bayonet connector on the high tension lead, because some folks just pull it off without twisting it, first. I have an Oregon spark checker and my only problem with it is - you need to be in a dark place to see the spark.
I have a question but first have to compliment you on your great work with the videos. I am 70 years old and people have been needing a person like you for a long time. Your great. My son had someone give him an 18 inch craftsman trim chain saw. Starts always when cold but when warm no start. Any idea where to look. Thanks in advance.
If you have a multmeter...you can verify the coil by measuring ohms...briggs coils measure between 2.5 to 5 thousand ohms...anything above or below is bad...positive to the plug cap and negative to the metal bands passing thru the coil...
Just a shade tree DIY here,. I have a spark tester, when I can find it, that is an "in line" design. One end plugs into the sprak plug boot and the other fits onto the plug without bothering to remove the plug from the head. I turn the shop light off and pull the starter rope to see the flash or not see the flash. If I can not find my tester among the clutter, I place a known good spark plug onto the high tension lead and darken the shop before pulling the rope to see or not see spark. If the shroud with starter recoil if off of the motor, I use electric drill with socket on the flywheel nut to spin the motor while I observe, the that usually does require the spark plug to be removed to reduce comression as the drill is not as strong as me. Just lazy, I guess...
I have that same mower and had to take the flywheel off to find the kill wire had bare wire showing and it would short out to the block and cause it not to run. Took me a while to figure it out but voila, hey there it is. Fixed the wite and I got my “far” back.
A few weeks ago I wrote a comment to ChickMec that my mower didn't have a spark and if the problem wasn't the kill switch, how likely is it the coil. Never got an answer to my question, BUT now she comes out with a video about checking coils. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES !!!!!!OH, BTW. It was the kill switch
Yup just like you said,a guy gave me a mower said it wouldn't start, it took me a while but found the prong broken off the kill switch. You know yer stuff
I have a TJ53e Kawasaki & Echo curft shaft and worrior straight shaft also Honda GCV 160 ALSO i learn a lot from your video's 📹. Daryl B. Kerr from Belfast North of Ireland
1/2 inch drive drills make excellent sources of turning the engine over when you have the rewind off for spark or compression testing. Remember coils can be sporadic and only fail after the warm-up or even on different humidity days once they crack and the seals are broken. It’s unusual but there is such a thing as having spark but it’s too weak.
Tazmun, That's true. You can also check the ohms between the spark plug and the body of the coil. It can vary, usually if it's between 4000 and 7000 it should work. If it's over 7000 or more, it may need to be replaced. I have however, seen coils that were as high as 7500 and the engine ran fine. Those are just a starting point and not solid. I have had good spark and the engine not run, because of a bad plug. It happens
Great tutorial! Will confess that small engine ignition feels more involved than automotive systems - this does great job of simple diagnosis of potential coil failure. Speaking of ignition, have you done anything comparing different brands of spark plugs? Have always been partial to Champion in 4 cycle and NGK in 2 strokes, but what, if any professional recommendations can you give?
When you have the pull cord assembly off you can use a battery drill & socket with a 3/8” drive & spin the engine to check the spark without assembling the unit
I always just hold it to the block, if I can’t see I replace coil. I bought an old Evinrude 6 hp motor 1971 at subdivision garage sale 60.00. Needed coils and points ( not cheap) but boy it sparks now!!! Needs fuel pump and carb rebuild already changed all fuel lines.
3:55...Another mystery solved! How did I not know this product existed??? It was by sheer luck, my Craftsman mower lasted over 15 years, stored in a shed, through harsh Canadian winters. It started up every single season.
Thanks for Watching! Find a link to all of my "Must Have", Favorite Tools HERE!! www.amazon.com/shop/chickanic?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfchickanic_9ERPFPBNGQ924P8NS63B
Love this. I as women took a small engine class. I can fix a few small things, people were skeptical until they figured out I did know a few things about engines. Saved a fortune just replacing primer bulbs and fuel filters
Thank you so much for the hint on tipping the mower forward to get it started after it had been sitting for a while! I had to replace a stop wire, which was back ordered, so found a car stereo guy who fixed it for me free! Thank God! And also found a guy who gave the tip on using a business card to space when replacing the coil, which was fine just didn’t realize it had to be spaced right when putting it back in place! And you taught me about it most likely wasn’t the coil when you weren’t getting a spark. I love tinkering with things I think I can fix and am so thankful for all my TH-cam teachers! You are my new favorite channel!😊
I did a repair on a 2 year old, low hours, Stihl MS170 saw that would not start. Not even a pop. Had fuel (new fuel), 130psi of compression, new plug, correct coil to flywheel gap, and had fire. Even-though the saw produced spark, my suspicion was a weak coil. A shot of starting fluid (designed for gasoline engines) directly in the cylinder, did not show any sign toward a successful start. New coil replacement did the trick.
I watched a few of your videos. Excellent. Well done and very thorough.
Thanks for this video. Your cat did a good job pulling that cord!!
It is a real pleasure to learn from a very practical, but experienced small engine expert. ( though I noticed a Carb riser for a Holley in a scene.) "I am 76, but "chicks" have never been an issue for me in a male dominated world. I owned, built, repaired and drove premium sprint cars and midgets for about 15 years. Many times, my high school age daughter was my crew chief. She controlled setup and tuning and I put my life in her hands. I am proud of her, as you may imagine.
Thank you, this video has helped me a bunch, I have a Murray 21” push mower with a B&S engine, got it out & changed the oil, put in fresh gas push primer button three times pulled the rope busted right off, used it then went in for lunch, went back out, no start changed spark plug still no start. You’re talking about checking for spark by holding the plug up to the motor, I watched my Grandpa do that when I was a kid back in the sixty’s. Thanks again for what you do, this is my second video watching, first one was a chainsaw that was broken because the chain bit into a nail. Again it’s great to see a Woman doing what you do, I noticed that you replied to my comment, but it was late. Sometimes I don’t check notifications until the next day. I always praise people who put out good videos, I click on the ones that spark my interest. Well it time to go outside & work on my project. Hope you have a blessed day today from one of your Texas viewers & God Bless
She doesn't look Mexican?????
I "mashed" that subscribe button a long time ago! Great content! From eastern NC where we "mash" things and always check for the "far" in the spark plug. Echo SRM 225 trimmer, and Cub Cadet XT2 LX42 Enduro with fabricated deck. Ran a JD LA 115 for 16 years and gave it to my 15 YO grandson who completely restored it and it still runs like a champ.
Great i am 80 and your videos clear the cobwebbs from my memory banks really helpful and good feeling again to fix small problems you have covered
john
Thanks! I just got my log splitter back up and running for a few pennies thanks to your video. A mouse chewed the wire from the switch to the coil. A foot of auto wire and two connectors had it up and running again.
I really appreciate how you get right to the point with your videos and actually do the work while you talk instead of blathering on and on while just standing in front of the camera like so many of the "experts" on TH-cam are prone to do.
Crazy thing, but I've had this happen twice: bad coil turned out to be good coil with bad ground to block. I admit it's rare, but a quick wire brush cleaning and reinstall is worth the time. I'm sure there's an ohm test of some kind, but that's above my skillset. I LOVE your videos!
For 22 years I worked at grain elevators. We had many B&S engines mounted on various pieces of equipment that farmers would take to the field and then return. Everything was stored out in the weather. 99 times out of a hundred, a no spark was caused by the coil and the magnet on the flywheel being rusted. Not a thin layer but a really thick layer. Remove the coil, shine it and the magnet with emery cloth and all was super sparky. Even though my equipment is stored indoors, that's still the first thing I check. After that it's on to your method. Thank you for all the really great information!
My 22 year old Echo SRM2110 would not start a few weeks ago. No spark at all. I tried to look up a new coil but alas, most parts are no longer available. After 22 years of trouble free service I opted to buy a new Echo SRM266. I always use echo based premix and attribute that and the high quality of Echo products for their long life. Anyway, the new trimmer worked great (as expected). I did find a new aftermarket replace,et coil on Ebay for $18 and figured it was worth a shot. The coil arrived in a few days and once installed I put the trimmer back together, two pulls in the cold start mode it coughed. I opened the choke and in one pull it fired right up. I used it yesterday for about 2.5 hours and it ran like new. Since the 2110 has a boom handle I will put the brush blade on and use it exclusively as a brush cutter.
My CS400 chainsaw and 255 blower/vac never let me down either. Sorry to sound like a commercial but I am totally impressed by my Echo products.
It doesn’t embarrass me to say thank you I find your tutorials very helpful and I like learning
if it had been a dude would you feel the same way? asking for a friend
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 be nice Jeremy 😂
You have no idea how many people come into my shop and say, ( My saw ! Weed eater or mower won't fire ! ),. What they mean is it won't fire up,, or start. You have to check it yourself. I have a spark tester just like that and love it. It can also determine if it has a strong or weak spark. Gap jump and color. Great video.
I have a Lisle tool spark tester, works great. I agree the Briggs Quantam engines are the best, currently using one that is nineteen years old, still starts and gets the job done!
despite all the critical input , i thank you for sharing your knowledge with us , keep up the good work
Your videos are THE BOMB! Super practical and with the "why" to do something or not. You've helped my diagnostics by leaps and bounds. Keep doing these!!
Love your videos, I learn something useful every time.
You're awesome, I just fixed my lawnmower! I feel so empowered!
Very good video! I was in a similar issue with my late father in laws Stihl 026 Chain Saw that I inherited. I pulled and pulled and pulled that thing until my arm fell off one day in the woods lol...I new it wasn't a fuel issue since I could smell fuel, so figured it was spark related, checked for spark there was little to no spark...changed out plug and still had little spark, took off the side cover and checked my wiring to the coil, it was all good, that's when I noticed there was quite a large air gap between the flywheel and the coil. Pulled the coil, checked to see if the magnets were broken but they were in great shape. Did a little research and set the coil back to recommend spec air gap. This is something that should be checked as well. Love your videos. Keep up the great work!
The best engine Briggs ever made was on my dad's 1960s cylinder mower. Never failed, never burned oil, didn't even need a new spark plug. It was still going strong after 40 yesrs.
Great job yet again Bre.
Very helpful to those homeowners that want to fix their own stuff and save a buck
I must say, you are very thorough in your explanations on multiple models for spark checking. Nicely done. 👍 liked the kitty cameo segment 😻
South Carolina here. "Far" is understood with no explanation necessary. Also, on the same struggle bus with reading glasses.🤣
Thanks you helped narrow the problem down much quicker. 😊
I have a Poulan BVM 210 that has plenty of spark, compression and fresh gas that I am about to run over with my truck even though it looks brand new. Waiting on the fuel line kit for the old trusty Echo ES. I stopped tinkering with these until I found your channel when my Briggs 550e wouldn't run (the jet), now I have nearly everything fixed for $20 or less :) Big thanks.
Great video as always. Would add 3 things: Loose coil module bolts causing too wide an air gap, internal break in spark plug wire, and boot clip slipped back into boot neck and not making good contact with spark plug tip. Last two could be checked with ohmmeter. Thanks again for making the time and effort to produce these videos!
I thought you were going to grab the plug and turn off the lights and get x rays like in a cartoon! And the finger with a little of skin hanging off from being scraped is charming too because it happens constantly.
I use my digital electric meter set on OHMs. Stick one end into the spark plug end and the other to ground. Just rotate the flywheel when the magnet passes over the coil, it will read zeros. No need for expensive do dads or have someone yank. Now you know. : - )
This I want to see.
A Lisle p/n 20700 . Spark Energy ( SE ) tester $10.00 - $15.00
Very good and will last a lifetime . 2/23
Well I don't know about that but you can just use a simple test light to check for spark it's how I do it on cars but the echo tester she's she's showing is only about 68 dollars I don't think that's expensive
I set it on 2.5 volts and it worked well
Yes! Yay! I found my answer after several days working on my lawnmower. After oil change, fresh premium gas, new spark plug, and taking apart the entire carburetor cleaning it out then putting it all back together.Then I came across your channel and watched this video. The first thing you said is to check the cable to see if it opens enough to release kill switch. YES! That was it! I am so happy!!You are the best! Thank you so very much!❤❤❤
*_Great to see someone with experience show so much details on how to repair these items!!_*
Nice video, I recently had a couple of Honda engines that would die after they ran for a while, got hot, then the coil would fail. After cooling of the next day they would fire the engine again. Thanks for great video's. And yes the Quantum engines are great.
It's fun to watch what I have been doing for last 30 years!! In the 30 years,10 years with marine engines. Once in a McCulloch brush cutter I was not able to kill the engine unless I pulled out the plug wire. The inside connection for switch from coil was not in contact. It was a new brush cutter. I changed and it's OK.
All the best🙂🙂🙂
I had a Harbor Freight Predator engine, it would start fine when cold, once it got up to operating temperature, it would die, check for spark no spark. 5 minutes later it would start then die. I replaced the coil, no more problems. When you have an intermittent problem those can be harder to find. I do agree if the kill wire is bare at some point it can run and vibration can cause the wire to short out and kill the engine. It took me about 3 hours to figure out the problem on the Predator . Was a fairly easy fix.
Saw a lady on the TV (fan) at the Coke 600 race that looked just like you - lucky 🍀 lady!
I just realized I have been doing business with your shop on and off for the last three years. The funniest part, I was watching your videos for advice on problems I could not solve on my own. Thank yall for your help in shop and on TH-cam. Have a good one!!!!
I rigged a simple device that helps me with this tricky procedure. I fastened a couple of alligator clamps onto each end of about a one foot long electrical wire. One of the clamps is big enough to grip over the metal part of the spark plug. The other clamp can be just about any size so long as it can grip & ground onto a piece of metal (I use a a 6" angle bracket). This gives me the flexibility to have both hands free to spin he motor which can sometimes be done by by hand turning the flywheel, or on bigger engines, I can use a drill or impact. Thus, I can do this in a position where I can see the spark.
Lots good ign.. Coil/module info., Thanks! That's a beautiful cat.
Great - you have probably done a video on this but it is easy enough to test the windings on the coil to see if there is continuity. Also - disconnect any kill wire - often there is just one and the other end is just to earth and put a continuity (beep) tester across it and check the kill switch is working properly at the coil end. Just a few simple checks to speed fault-finding up!
I went to the inlaws to find my father inlaw beating the hell out of the flywheel of his push mower , I asked him what he was doing and he said I can't get the flywheel off so I can check the points and I had to explain to him it didn't have points so I fixed it for him and now he knows how to do it himself !
Great Video
I have been dealing with my lawn tractor shutting down abruptly after 10 minutes. Hard to restart. Once I finally get it started it will run for 30+ minutes no problem. It ended up being the magneto wire pinched behind the starter. I’m hoping this is resolved now.
👍👍👍👍👍Thank You
Thank you for your time on making these videos. I am sure you have helped a lot people. I have an Echo gas trimmer that needs a module. The trimmer is out of warranty and not registered. I can not find the link you made on this. I pray you keep on making this videos. Have a blessed day. My God be with you and your family
Ha I assumed FAR was a acronym for fuel, air, and while I was trying to figure out what R meant, you explained the language barrier! I’m in N MN 😎
I had a couple of bad coils. One in a chainsaw and one in a lawnmower. Just put them in a 200 degree F oven for an hour. Moisture gets in and does something. The heat will drive out the moisture. Both coils now produce good spark.
Great info, I have a stihl br200 backpack. I replaced the coil and plug disconnected the kill switch but still have no spark.
Thanks. It's after two years is evergreen. We keep coming from the woods, and appreciate your help.
You raised from one percent my hope to ten. I suspected, hoped kill switch or wire on low budget, no name chainsaw. Good exercise. Spark spring fallen of. Fixed. No start. No spark. (how come, together?)
Why only ten?
For the way it stopped, after one hour use in two days. Started up, running smoothly without choke ....and suddenly speeds up and cuts off by itself. It didn't sound good.
Cutting off quickly shows start switch, but what kicjed off the idle so bad?
I think, this machine is good to learn on, before I get a pro. I started with breaking off the security system, for they had no warning label on it. They suspected, professionals will buy the 70 $ machine. For sure Well, I don't need it anyway
The price came back, for that much cost 1m3 firewood, and I gained acces to 8 with it. Still need to be cut.
Actually I wonder if a wired, 3.5 hp electric chainsaw would serve me the best?
Easy lesson even for experienced folk. Here's a good one. Stihl hs45 I have. Coil tests fine. Checked switch, fine. No spark. Put in a new plug, no spark. Even tried a new coil, same. A wtf moment. Suggestions. Thanks
hi. a did work in a shop with repairing small engines,it was not so rear with bad coils.that spark tester is awesome,did use similar tester
The big one not mentioned on the mowers is a sheared key way from hitting an object with a quick stop of the engine. Just the little shift in the flywheel and nada. On most of the mowers I have salvaged over the years this has been the main reason they were tossed
Great tips! For the life of me, I don’t understand why they don’t make those testers with an audible, as well as a visible signal. How hard could that be right?
lol. Thanks fir the vid! 👍👍
Yes! Make one with audible tone like checking for continuity!!!
I think Snap On might
Oh! Thank you for that information on Echo products, I have a trimmer that is echo but it works just fine and it’s 17 years old
A sparkling presentation ⚡
No doubt about it, you have helped me no end with my chainsaws and other small motors.
I use inexpensive automotive spark testers on small engines too, but you have to keep in mind the spark will look a bit dimmer/weaker. So if you see any spark at all you're probably ok. I have a straight plug tester and a 90° plug tester and haven't found a situation where I need something else.
Great info, thanks. Any chance on doing a video on the proper use of the Walbro and Zama fuel metering adjustment tools?
In my experience it is the bayonet connector on the high tension lead, because some folks just pull it off without twisting it, first. I have an Oregon spark checker and my only problem with it is - you need to be in a dark place to see the spark.
I have a question but first have to compliment you on your great work with the videos. I am 70 years old and people have been needing a person like you for a long time. Your great. My son had someone give him an 18 inch craftsman trim chain saw. Starts always when cold but when warm no start. Any idea where to look. Thanks in advance.
If you have a multmeter...you can verify the coil by measuring ohms...briggs coils measure between 2.5 to 5 thousand ohms...anything above or below is bad...positive to the plug cap and negative to the metal bands passing thru the coil...
Love how you explain and break it down Bre!
Enjoy your holiday weekend ❤️💯
I use my battery drill on the starter cup bolt to spin engine to check spark fire. Saves assembling the the cover & pull cord
Just a shade tree DIY here,. I have a spark tester, when I can find it, that is an "in line" design. One end plugs into the sprak plug boot and the other fits onto the plug without bothering to remove the plug from the head. I turn the shop light off and pull the starter rope to see the flash or not see the flash. If I can not find my tester among the clutter, I place a known good spark plug onto the high tension lead and darken the shop before pulling the rope to see or not see spark. If the shroud with starter recoil if off of the motor, I use electric drill with socket on the flywheel nut to spin the motor while I observe, the that usually does require the spark plug to be removed to reduce comression as the drill is not as strong as me. Just lazy, I guess...
Harbor freight. Is what I got. Works.
Great info to know, will definitely help if having a problem with spark. Thanks.
Excellent content. Always educational and humorous. Blessings.
I have that same mower and had to take the flywheel off to find the kill wire had bare wire showing and it would short out to the block and cause it not to run.
Took me a while to figure it out but voila, hey there it is. Fixed the wite and I got my “far” back.
Awesome
Thanks you’re an amazing person. Smart, intelligent pretty. You can market yourself.
Much more continued success.😊
excellent tutorial
Great upload Thanks Bre! Your tutorials are easy on the brain.
I'm retired but I still enjoy watching someone else work 🥴
👍🏽 Great channel 👍🏽 From France 🇫🇷
A few weeks ago I wrote a comment to ChickMec that my mower didn't have a spark and if the problem wasn't the kill switch, how likely is it the coil. Never got an answer to my question, BUT now she comes out with a video about checking coils. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES !!!!!!OH, BTW. It was the kill switch
Sorry I missed your question! Glad you figured it out!
I remember my Dad introduced me to mowing 50 years ago and there was no cable bullshit!!!😀😀😋
I have a Far House right down the street, I hear the far truck when it rolls out. 🙂👍
Lol - took me a minute, but now I’m picking up what your putting down.
Yup! I never thought about my accent until I had a comment from someone across the sea ask me, "What is Far?" LOLOL!
LoL, yep I feel your pain for sure!! 🤣👍🏼
🤣🤣 Awesome bud, we’ll have you speaking southernese in no time. 👍🏼
Yup just like you said,a guy gave me a mower said it wouldn't start, it took me a while but found the prong broken off the kill switch. You know yer stuff
Thanks Mike!
Fire in the hole !!! Ooops, no fire in the hole !!! Great information
Looking good today, chickanic. Great info.
I have a TJ53e Kawasaki & Echo curft shaft and worrior straight shaft also Honda GCV 160 ALSO i learn a lot from your video's 📹. Daryl B. Kerr from Belfast North of Ireland
Beautiful Cat. On the Quantum I use a drill to turn over the engine after removing the kill wire. Spark plug is out of engine, so it won’t start.
That's one way to do it, but I wouldn't suggest it for the non-mechanical peeps. LOL!
@@Chickanic true. Non mechanical folks may not have the 15/16ths socket to hook to the drill either.
@@Chickanic lol some people couldn't pour water out of a boot if you handed it to them upside-down
love the camo !!!!
Your videos are very good.
1/2 inch drive drills make excellent sources of turning the engine over when you have the rewind off for spark or compression testing. Remember coils can be sporadic and only fail after the warm-up or even on different humidity days once they crack and the seals are broken. It’s unusual but there is such a thing as having spark but it’s too weak.
Tazmun,
That's true. You can also check the ohms between the spark plug and the body of the coil. It can vary, usually if it's between 4000 and 7000 it should work. If it's over 7000 or more, it may need to be replaced. I have however, seen coils that were as high as 7500 and the engine ran fine. Those are just a starting point and not solid. I have had good spark and the engine not run, because of a bad plug. It happens
Keep up the great knowledge sharing 👏 👍 👌 super great videos! Thank You.
Harbor Freight has a little module that plugs between wire and plug that lights up if spark is functioning.👍
Excellent video. Thank you for making & posting it.
Good demonstration. Thanks
Thank you for the video Bre 👍🏻
Good morning Catcha Cow!
Your hard worker
I’ve replaced that module, it is a bit of a job but a DIY er with a little patience can do it !
Thank you. I learned some very useful tips.
Great tutorial! Will confess that small engine ignition feels more involved than automotive systems - this does great job of simple diagnosis of potential coil failure. Speaking of ignition, have you done anything comparing different brands of spark plugs? Have always been partial to Champion in 4 cycle and NGK in 2 strokes, but what, if any professional recommendations can you give?
When you have the pull cord assembly off you can use a battery drill & socket with a 3/8” drive & spin the engine to check the spark without assembling the unit
Thanks
Thanks lady..,
I always just hold it to the block, if I can’t see I replace coil. I bought an old Evinrude 6 hp motor 1971 at subdivision garage sale 60.00. Needed coils and points ( not cheap) but boy it sparks now!!! Needs fuel pump and carb rebuild already changed all fuel lines.
3:55...Another mystery solved! How did I not know this product existed???
It was by sheer luck, my Craftsman mower lasted over 15 years, stored in a shed, through harsh Canadian winters.
It started up every single season.
My family had a 2 cycle shop. I don't miss it but glad I've never took a engine to a shop. Engine parts are so cheap now. Everything is plastic.
One rule I have is to check the moving parts, linkages first. Bolted parts often vibrate, get hot, etc. but usually wear differently.
Be sure to checkout the mounting screws for rust or corrosion too. Gap the module to.010 of an inch against the magnet for the best spark.
Thank you
Thanks for the video