Great video, a real help, took off the carb and cleaned it, drained the fuel tank and she now works like a dream. Was quoted well over £150 from a local work shop and it only took me 20 minutes.
Great vid mate, easy to understand and saving me a fortune in servicing charges! I gave my 2yr old mountfield a service today after watching your video and im confident that I can continue to maintain it in the future.
Excellent video. This is the ONLY detailed British video I could find explaining things well. Following this video, I got my (15 year old) lawn mower back up and running like new in 15 minutes. Awesome.
It's good to get back to the mowers I've done well since the sun been out. And some spare money in me pocket. All thanks to people like you. Who give advice on you tube. Many thanks to you all.
Very explained well presented,videod & explained.When I first arrived here in NZ, I was told that I would have more luck asking to borrow my neighbors wife than his lawn mower. Turns out she was a mechanic. We've been happily together for 20 years now
Excellent video! Had an identical mower not been used for a number of years....following these videos, replaced air filter, new spark plug, carb clean, new gaskets, new oil, new petrol....pull and started first time! Many thanks.
It's In The Carb I have been in the repair shop for 15 years and I have had mowers do that and I took the carb off an replace the Diaphragm Gasket kit this is the 1st step I take 95% of the time this fix the problem that's just what I do 1st God Bless and good videos.
Hi, I had the same problem, just sorted it today after watching this video - thanks for saving me £150 for a new one. Total novice where engines are concerned but I thought I would give it a go. Cheers!
Excellent video,its worth its weight in gold. Clear, concise and to the point. If all YT videos were produced like this one then YT would have even more viewers. No pommy bashing from OZ here.Well done!
Nice video mate - simple to follow with some useful tips along the way. I followed this procedure and got my 'lumpy' running, spark plug clogging engine starting first time and running very sweetly. Only expense was a new gasket and diaphragm.
giving me the confidence to save money and gained some skill by watching this video......thanks to your very down to earth attitude it's helped me to realise anyone can have a go 👍
Good video Martin, also good reply to old salt, there's always an expert that never helps others, but is quick to criticise the people that do help. With the aid of your video I've managed to get my lawnmower working again, and I've checked everything else, she's running sweet. Thank you;-)
Hey Good job Steve, You're right about so-called experts. but those people who comment like that are now called Trolls or haters lol. I normally just block them but I think that comment would help others. Thanks for your comment. Cheers Martin
Just thought I would let you know that I have learnt quite abit about small engines just from watching your videos ( 18 year old bloke from Australia )
Thanks Martin, enjoyed your clip. Agree with you, it's good to do your own service. We own a 1977 Victa Sports 2 stroke - always done my own servicing on it. Called a mechanic when the Carby and magneto needed changing over though. Cheers mate, Patrick Vella, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Cheers for sharing the info,I love these vids`the more knowledge that a person shares the less small engines end up on the scrap heaps,I learnt how to strip a small engine down knowing nothing about an engine,2 months after I was able to replace my head gasket and piston rings on my car engine,You guys help so many people when showing these vids,keep them going.
Hi.Just saw your video and its brilliant.This has been a hobby of mine for a few years and just like the mower you were working on i have had a few with similar problems and i have been able to fix them quiet easily.I am not a mechanic but after working on my own ones i have learned alot by checking problems and solving them.Thank you for showing everyone your great video and will be so helpful to so many.Keep up the good work.Ken.
Hey Ken, Thanks for watching. Check out more videos on my youtube channel. There are other lawnmower ones and other mixed repair vids you might find interesting. If you like, please subscribe and you'll get notified when I upload a new vid. Regards Martin
retrorestore Hi Martin.You are very welcome and its great to see yourself sharing your experiences with everyone.You have a nice collection of mowers like myself and its amazing to see a mower in rough condition turn into something to be proud of when finished.I have subscribed to your channel yesterday and iam glad i did.Thank you.
Thank you Sir - I had done everything but couldn't work out why it would cut out after 20 - 30 seconds. I found your very informative post and BAM!! spark plug was not connecting well with the cap. issue solved wife thinks I'm the bees knees again. Thank you again sir!!
Actually the first video to cover many aspects of why it wouldn't start, or run poorly, 90% of YT vids are only of diaphragm change. After 20 years of meticulous running mine barely starts, and when it does, runs poorly for up to 20 seconds then dies and is almost impossible to start again. Changed the diaphragm, spark and it's the same, although I see my governor is completely messed up, the springs don't do their job and the carb butterfly moves freely. Will try fixing that an many other things you mentioned in your vid. Thumbs up!!
Turns out it was the FLYWHEEL KEY that broke so the spark was out of phase, the only thing not mentioned in the vid :) Changed that in no time, engine started up fine, and then died again after a minute and wouldn't start, no spark. I went nuts, after all that work. Turned out the spark plug died, and it was brand new ("Briggs" plug)! Put a new sparkplug (NGK) and it starts and runs like a bullet.
Well done. I did a video on the flywheel key th-cam.com/video/jeGRhJDoph0/w-d-xo.html It's not normally a general starting problem as it's only when the blade hits something that the key breaks. Glad you got something from the vid though. Cheers Martin
What a brilliant video, sharing your knowledge is awesome. I've just been given one of these mowers. Has a leaky fuel tank and no springs on the earlier metal part you showed. Hopefully with this I can get it back to full health 👍🏻😀
Great video, very informative, I've had the same Briggs & Stratton mower for about 15 years & I'm embarrassed to say, apart form a drop of oil, I've never serviced it. After watching your video, I'm going to get my finger out & service it this weekend. cheers Tony
patricia lord If you have petrol and spark then it might be a problem with compression. If you don't have a compression gauge, remove the spark plug and put your finger over the plug hole as someone pulls the starter. Keep the rest of fingers away from the plug lead end, You should feel a good pull & push on your finger & it may even push your finger out of the hole. This is a rough test to see if you have good compression. Cheers Martin
Hello Martin, thanking you for all your advice, got it going, now looking for a drive cable, you are a great help, will keep following you have a good day Regards Pat.
If ever you get one that leaks around the base of the carburetor, you can add a gasket and sandwich the diaphragm in between them. In my opinion, that's the best Briggs and Stratton carburetor system for lawnmowers. Simplest and most cost effective to maintain, rebuild and replace. At least, until the fuel tank starts to leak..
Had this problem with mine end of last season, kept cutting out and had trouble priming after the tank had been run dry then filled again. It wouldn't squirt through when you take the filter top off, so had to use a syringe for refilling ink cartridges to do it manually then screw the filter top back on. Pain. After it ran again it would start to prime from the button again. Very odd. Have a hundred jobs to do 1st and the seasons almost here so I've just bought a new mower (for the same price as someone offered a service, so no brainer). But it's good to see it's as easy as I thought. I'll keep hold of the old one and give the carb/tank section a clean out when I eventually get time, seems clogged.
Thank you Martin for your reply, i bought a new spark plug the gauge is 25 took the petrol tank off cleaned it out put new petrol in, cleaned the carb up, all put back again still won't start, have you any more suggestions, thanking you, Pat.
patricia lord Does your mower have a priming bulb that you should press before trying to start the mower? If yes, you could remove the air filter and see if petrol is being injected into the carb when you press the priming bulb. If not then there is a fuel supply problem. Let me know. Cheers Martin
good information there fella, im surprised while you had the tank off you never flushed it out but i guess if its a family members you may have known it was clean
Hi, I did check the inside of the tank but I cut it out at 12.56 . Well spotted and a good comment. I was told it had fresh petrol in by me relative so I didn't drain it. Always worth flushing out the tank though.
Great video, thank you. I have just bought an old law filet 383 SPE. clutch is slipping and it rattles a little. I will check out your other videos. Thanks again
Hi , brilliant video ! I have an old mountfiled lawnmower with the same Briggs and Stratton motor in it and it’s running very fast and smoking heavily. It’s black smoke so I’m not to sure if that’s a major problem or not. I would be great full if you could get back to me with any advice on how to fix it as I would like to do it myself to save the expense of taking it to a shop Many thanks ☺️
Many Thanks for video, i hope to do a service on mine at the weekend, exactly the same mower, what would be good in the main comments area is the model number of the diaphragm and places to buy from, many thanks again
Diaphragms are nearly alway the problem.i normally replace them on everyone I repair.I have found the gaskets on cheaper ones sometimes leak so I buy genuine.Anyway another great vid thanks.
I have a very simular model, i got a new spark plug and cleaned the air filter which had a sticky feel to it and was hard to clean. cant get in to the pull chord area just yet as my tools are not here.
Hi I have this lawnmower could you please tell me how to clean the air filter? My one has black circles where the holes are I suppose its dirt or oil (sorry real amateur here!) Can I take the yellow bit and clean in under running water? Or do have to buy a new one? Where CAN I buy one? Your help will be appreciated!! Great video btw!! And thank you!!
Hi Martin, My mower is cutting out after about thirty seconds and having watched your video (which is excellent), one of the obvious things is that it has too much oil. What's the best way to get the excess oil out without causing other issues?
Thankyou for your video, i wonder if you could help me, i have a Mountfield mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine model 10D902, i have a spark but it still won't start, i have put another ignition coil on still no luck, i would appreciate your advice, thankyou. Pat
Thanks, Martin. Terrifically helpful and inspired me to tackle this myself. Gone through all the steps then put fresh fuel in. Trouble is, the priming bulb is now not squirting fuel (it did ok before I started this servicing). Does this suggest I have a bad seal in my carb somewhere, or is there a step I need to take to 'prime the primer'? Thanks, Simon.
Simon Lambert HI Simon. It's not unusual for the primer bulb to be perforated. They are pretty easy to change, you have to prize out the plastic clip that holds them in. Good luck and thanks for your comment. Cheers Martin
retrorestore Thanks for your speedy reply. I did renew the bulb last year and it was pumping fine earlier today so I don't think it's faulty. Do you think I could have created the problem during my fitting the new diaphragm and gasket in the carb?
retrorestore I took the carb off again and swapped the positions of the new diaphragm and gasket. Now I have diaphragm on the metal tank and the gasket above, next to plastic carb body. Tightened down screws and now it's sucking fuel fine :) Works a treat!
Hi Martin, I stripped down my Sovereign and overhauled it. now I have re-assembled it the body seems to be sitting up too high . From the bottom of the skirt 75mm to the floor. Is this correct? If not can you advise how the wheel assembly goes together to fit onto the body. Many Thanks. Jim
Jim Williamson Jim, You've fitted the wheel brackets the wrong way as you suggested. You need to place the adjusting arm 90 degrees to where you have them onto the bracket. Cheers Martin
Hi Martin, thanks for the video. Can you tell me an easy way to determine if I have a bad starter motor or a seized engine? I by-passed the solenoid, went from battery to starter with a wire, get a spark but no turn over (a 1980s Briggs and Stratton Craftsman 8 hp riding mower.) Any help you could be would be greatly appreciated. Cat
***** If you are getting a spark but it won't turn over, you might have a faulty connection to your starter motor or a duff starter motor. Without testing the circuit, I can't really comment. Good luck. Cheers Martin
Any idea where I get the correct torque for putting head gasket back on a briggs and stratton 5.50 series engine, and correct. Sequence, thanks for any advice
hi great video. the best one i have watched. it will help me ten fold as i run my gardening company and I will be able to save money on repairs. How did you drain the oil as in video you seem to cut that scene. cheers bud joe
My 3rd hand B&S mower has been with me a few years and is getting momentary power loss as of late. I will admit to never having thought about maintenance much and did tip it on its side once resulting in white smoke. Any tips before i take mine apart? Also, what is the recommended way/direction to tip a mower over?
woud like to know how you emptied oil to get the correct level. also what do you do if the mower has been stored uright and oil gets into carb etc. otherwise thank you great video
Before storing it, drain out the oil. You can buy syringes for sucking out the oil. www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-AK47-Suction-Syringe-Multicoloured/dp/B004ZFDBMU
Great video, very informative. I've only just started to try to fix things like this myself recently, wouldn't have been possible without instructional videos like this one. Thank you. I could use a little additional help though...I have a Briggs 550 series 158cc Yardman mower that I got for free. I've only cleaned it up a bit (broke down the carb, didn't have the gasket or diaphragm, I was just seeing if I could get it apart and back together again) replaced the air filter, plug and blade. It ran a little rough and sputtered through the summer until on the last mow of summer it started revving higher and higher over the course of 20 mins until it suddenly revved VERY high and started to throw sparks from the muffler just before I cut it off. I haven't even tried to start it since. Any Ideas?? Thanks in advance for any help you are able to give me.
Hi there, I just bought one of these cheap second hand and it doesn't start. Checked carb, springs and all switches. Sparks there as it gave me a nice electric shock. Its low on oil and petrol so I will get some more in it. Any other advice for a non starter Briggs 4HP?
Great videos sadly don't have all your kit just doing maintenance and looking to repaint. Any suggestions on regular spray can sprays/brush ons please? Both for the underside and tops/engine Also got a nut missing from the engine mounts bolts any ideas it's a champion/Briggs and Stratton 35 classic. I've tried looking online and can't find it for love nor money. Thanks for your help in advance
I use hammerite smoothrite paint for the under deck, A general rattle can paint will provide the colour and you'll need a petrol resistant lacquer to spray over the top. You'll be able to buy a similar nut and bolt at your local hardware shop if you take the bolt dow to show them.
@@retrorestore legend many thanks 👍🏻 just want it to tick over for a few more years. Saw a lad on here with his 30yo Briggs was just starting to rust with little to no maintenance.
LEGEND. i have a Mountfield 725m Ride one. The revs have dropped. Smells slightly and the blades wont kick in. I will try what u just shown. Any ideas tho in the meantime. Cheers
retrorestore thanks. Im learning from scratch! Its actually got 2 probs. Revs have dropped off an the blade lever wont kick start the blades. I'll have to stick a vid on. Cheers great work. I had great fun today lookin at my 450 backup mower cos of u
Hi Martin, I've been viewing your videos for about a year now and I have to say that your relaxed style and informative content make for an excellent set of vlogs! One thing I wanted to ask was whether you ever make a decision to take the head off for a de-coke. I realise that with head gaskets the way they are these days that they can't usually be reused - with new ones eating into any profit. What's your view on de-coking? Cheers, John
jsof2 When I remove the exhaust, I look up the port and if I see any build up of carbon and if the plug is really oily, that would be an indication for me to remove the head if it was a poor starter as well otherwise, i'll leave it alone. Cheers Martin
my lawnmower cut out and wont start yesterday its just had a new Carburettor Diaphragm & Gasket Kit put into it yesterday aswell it was running a cut my grass got half way through it and now it wont start am thinking now that the spark plus has gone now?? help please before a just end up selling it for spares thanks
I have a briggs & Startton, which has been tipped forward and oil is dripping from the front-right (under the exhaust) and lots of white smoke is coming from exhaust when it's running. any advice on the best thing (or things!) to do?
HI Jim, Remove the Air filter as it might be soaked in oil and clean if necessary. Check the oil level and make sure it is not too low and top up if necessary but don't over fill. Now run the mower until the smoke clears. it should clear within 5 mins. Cheers Martin
I've got a question, my Qualcast 120cc lawn mower starts ok but its not ticking over fast enough and stops working after 1 minutes use. Air filter is clean new fuel and it has enough oil. What would be the issue? (Briggs and Stratton engine 450E engine).
Hi Martin. Great videos, thanks. However all your mowers seem to start (ie actually fire and turn over). I've got a quite new unused briggs & stratton hp470 mountfield which although has a spark will not start. changed fuel. All looks ok. Do you have any advise as to what else I could try? Thanks. Neil
Is the fuel getting into the engine? if you either spray easy start or some fuel into the inlet from the carb, it should start if you have spark at the plug. If it runs momently, there could be a blockage in the carb or fuel tank filter.When you press the primer bulb, can you see fuel entering the inlet manifold through the top of the carb? If it still doesn't start, it could be a sheared upper flywheel key that has put the timing out.. Cheers Martin
Hi Martin. Thanks for the message. Yes there is fuel getting through as the plug smells of petrol when I removed it and was wet. Thought it might be flood but waited for hour and retried but no joy. It doesn't fire at all. Not even a single fire. Might try new plug but works fine against chassis when out so not convinced. It's 10 yrs old but hardly used so would not expect timing failure. Will have a play tomorrow. Thanks again. Love the videos very informative and fun to watch your very clear explanation. Cheers. Neil
hi martin. I don't think it has hit anything as I cut lawn 2 weeks ago and it was fine. Just released handle to stop and put in garage? It's very strange.
Hard to say without seeing it but cutting out can be fuel starvation or the wire that comes from the switch at the back of the engine sometimes get's trapped under the engine cover and touches the rotating flywheel and wears through the insulation and this cuts the engine out. Just make sure the cable isn't rubbing on the flywheel under the cowling.
Could have saved stripping anything, simply by placing your hand over the air intake a few times when starting to provide a 'choke' effect, there by drawing fuel through the dried out diaphragm !
hey i am from downunder been watching your videos very enjoyable we have the same engines on our mowers but of course we have different brands too you such as Victa and masport and ryobi and a few others but it is all th same i am a mower dude hear that mows peoples lawns but i also known too sell mowers love ya work and ya happy days cheers mate P.S mate sew ya pants up lol funny as
retrorestore in australia we say G'day mate i saw another video of yours say you had 24c for your summer weather hey we are 3 days out of winter and we are getting 27c but of course we are known as the sunburnt country lol
i have never paid for a mower we have a thing over here where people throw hings out on the road for council pick up i collect approx 6 mowers a week for free and i found 1 yesterday it was new just missing the pull assembly and fuel cap i sold that today for $120 not a bad profit
Justin Parker Wish we had that sort of system over here, Great find and a great profit. It's amazing what people throw away. Thanks for the sub Justin. Regards Martin
Great video, a real help, took off the carb and cleaned it, drained the fuel tank and she now works like a dream. Was quoted well over £150 from a local work shop and it only took me 20 minutes.
Yes, that's what I like to hear. Nice one Carl.
Where best to get parts to do full service not been done in 2 years since bought.. TIA. Goof video mate Thanks 👍🏼🍻
I get spares from gardenhirespares.com like gaskets and diagrams. the other stuff, I just source from Ebay.
Great vid mate, easy to understand and saving me a fortune in servicing charges! I gave my 2yr old mountfield a service today after watching your video and im confident that I can continue to maintain it in the future.
Excellent video. This is the ONLY detailed British video I could find explaining things well. Following this video, I got my (15 year old) lawn mower back up and running like new in 15 minutes. Awesome.
Welsh3008 Nice one, You've saved a few bob there then.
Cheers
Martin
It's good to get back to the mowers I've done well since the sun been out. And some spare money in me pocket. All thanks to people like you. Who give advice on you tube. Many thanks to you all.
Thanks Tony, glad you enjoyed. Good luck with the mowers.
I just followed this fine guide and I now have a fulling working lawnmower that wife wanted to throw out as it didn't work. Cheers mate for the help.
alvaskins nice one bud glad you sorted it out
Very explained well presented,videod & explained.When I first arrived here in NZ, I was told that I would have more luck asking to borrow my neighbors wife than his lawn mower. Turns out she was a mechanic. We've been happily together for 20 years now
Hey nice one John, Hope NZ is treating you well.
Cheers
Martin
Excellent video! Had an identical mower not been used for a number of years....following these videos, replaced air filter, new spark plug, carb clean, new gaskets, new oil, new petrol....pull and started first time! Many thanks.
It's In The Carb I have been in the repair shop for 15 years and I have had mowers do that and I took the carb off an replace the Diaphragm Gasket kit this is the 1st step I take 95% of the time this fix the problem that's just what I do 1st God Bless and good videos.
+KB'S Small engine Repair parts & Service Cheers bud and good luck with your channel.
Cheers
Martin
I admire people like you Martin, turn ya hand to anything.
Thanks, I gust get board doing the same thing over and over. It's basically common sense and having an interest in a wide variety of things.
Hi, I had the same problem, just sorted it today after watching this video - thanks for saving me £150 for a new one. Total novice where engines are concerned but I thought I would give it a go. Cheers!
Excellent video,its worth its weight in gold. Clear, concise and to the point. If all YT videos were produced like this one then YT would have even more viewers. No pommy bashing from OZ here.Well done!
Stoney ascension Hahaha, Thanks very much bud.
Cheers
Martin
Really helpful Martin mate, cheers from Australia also. (I've got a B&S 4.5HP)
Nice video mate - simple to follow with some useful tips along the way. I followed this procedure and got my 'lumpy' running, spark plug clogging engine starting first time and running very sweetly. Only expense was a new gasket and diaphragm.
Nice one Joe, now you know the secret with these engines lol.
Cheers
Martin
Thanks for posting this. I had the same problem with a Briggs & Stratton engine, followed your diections, and now it's spinning like a top!
Hey Eric, that's great. Well done for repairing itt.
Cheers
Martin
giving me the confidence to save money and gained some skill by watching this video......thanks to your very down to earth attitude it's helped me to realise anyone can have a go 👍
+harda 2kill That's great bud. We've done this loaads of times and made good profit. Good luck.
Cheers
Martin
Good video Martin, also good reply to old salt, there's always an expert that never helps others, but is quick to criticise the people that do help.
With the aid of your video I've managed to get my lawnmower working again, and I've checked everything else, she's running sweet.
Thank you;-)
Hey Good job Steve, You're right about so-called experts. but those people who comment like that are now called Trolls or haters lol. I normally just block them but I think that comment would help others. Thanks for your comment.
Cheers
Martin
Just thought I would let you know that I have learnt quite abit about small engines just from watching your videos
( 18 year old bloke from Australia )
Nice one bud. Glad they helped.
Cheers
Martin
That was brilliant. I bought a Sovereign 375 in an auction yesterday! I now know how to service it. Thank you
I'm a mom trying to repair.well done, the close ups helpful, now I can take things apart with confidence. Thing idles low, now wont start
good luck with your repair.
Thanks Martin, enjoyed your clip. Agree with you, it's good to do your own service. We own a 1977 Victa Sports 2 stroke - always done my own servicing on it. Called a mechanic when the Carby and magneto needed changing over though. Cheers mate, Patrick Vella, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Cheers for sharing the info,I love these vids`the more knowledge that a person shares the less small engines end up on the scrap heaps,I learnt how to strip a small engine down knowing nothing about an engine,2 months after I was able to replace my head gasket and piston rings on my car engine,You guys help so many people when showing these vids,keep them going.
Hi.Just saw your video and its brilliant.This has been a hobby of mine for a few years and just like the mower you were working on i have had a few with similar problems and i have been able to fix them quiet easily.I am not a mechanic but after working on my own ones i have learned alot by checking problems and solving them.Thank you for showing everyone your great video and will be so helpful to so many.Keep up the good work.Ken.
Hey Ken, Thanks for watching. Check out more videos on my youtube channel. There are other lawnmower ones and other mixed repair vids you might find interesting. If you like, please subscribe and you'll get notified when I upload a new vid.
Regards
Martin
retrorestore
Hi Martin.You are very welcome and its great to see yourself sharing your experiences with everyone.You have a nice collection of mowers like myself and its amazing to see a mower in rough condition turn into something to be proud of when finished.I have subscribed to your channel yesterday and iam glad i did.Thank you.
ken roche
Thanks Ken. Enjoy.
Cheers
Martin
Thank you Sir - I had done everything but couldn't work out why it would cut out after 20 - 30 seconds. I found your very informative post and BAM!! spark plug was not connecting well with the cap. issue solved wife thinks I'm the bees knees again. Thank you again sir!!
Well done for getting it going. Got to keep the wife (boss) happy lol.
Cheers
Martin
Actually the first video to cover many aspects of why it wouldn't start, or run poorly, 90% of YT vids are only of diaphragm change. After 20 years of meticulous running mine barely starts, and when it does, runs poorly for up to 20 seconds then dies and is almost impossible to start again. Changed the diaphragm, spark and it's the same, although I see my governor is completely messed up, the springs don't do their job and the carb butterfly moves freely. Will try fixing that an many other things you mentioned in your vid. Thumbs up!!
These are all the things to check before you take the cylinder head off and check the valves. Glad you liked the vid.
Cheers
Martin
Turns out it was the FLYWHEEL KEY that broke so the spark was out of phase, the only thing not mentioned in the vid :) Changed that in no time, engine started up fine, and then died again after a minute and wouldn't start, no spark. I went nuts, after all that work. Turned out the spark plug died, and it was brand new ("Briggs" plug)! Put a new sparkplug (NGK) and it starts and runs like a bullet.
Well done. I did a video on the flywheel key
th-cam.com/video/jeGRhJDoph0/w-d-xo.html It's not normally a general starting problem as it's only when the blade hits something that the key breaks.
Glad you got something from the vid though.
Cheers
Martin
Good luck bud.
Cheers
Martin
Hi Martin, excellent tutorial & very well made. This is exactly the kind of show we should have on TV instead of all the cheap reality rubbish.
Thanks bud, check out my other vids, there's plenty to see lol.
Cheers
Martin
Thank you so much for this video, I've just bought a second hand one, my 1st petrol mower. I can now do a service myself thanks to you.
Finally, a nice clear description without all the bullshit . Only thing I did notice is you did not give gap on magneto . Otherwise great !
I show that in other videos Jack.
What a brilliant video, sharing your knowledge is awesome. I've just been given one of these mowers. Has a leaky fuel tank and no springs on the earlier metal part you showed. Hopefully with this I can get it back to full health 👍🏻😀
Nice one bud, thanks for watching. Hope you get it working.
Cheers
Martin
Great video, very informative, I've had the same Briggs & Stratton mower for about 15 years & I'm embarrassed to say, apart form a drop of oil, I've never serviced it.
After watching your video, I'm going to get my finger out & service it this weekend.
cheers Tony
Go on, you know you want to. :)
thanking you so much in returning my question, Martin you can see petrol shooting into the carb, it just won't start, feel like giving up Pat.
patricia lord If you have petrol and spark then it might be a problem with compression. If you don't have a compression gauge, remove the spark plug and put your finger over the plug hole as someone pulls the starter. Keep the rest of fingers away from the plug lead end, You should feel a good pull & push on your finger & it may even push your
finger out of the hole. This is a rough test to see if you have good compression.
Cheers
Martin
Man I wish you lived next door. Sounds like there's so much I could learn from you. Thanks for the video. 👍
Hey, thanks Bernhard, I'm only a video away if you subscribe lol.
Cheers
Martin
Why didn't you discuss checking to make sure fuel is good and that it has oil? Thanks for your help.
+magicbuskey this is just one of many vids, I think I cover that in another vid.
Cheers
Martin
+retrorestore ok thank you.
You know, we Americans can learn a lot about good behavior from everyone here who commented. No rudeness, no foolishness.
Hello Martin, thanking you for all your advice, got it going, now looking for a drive cable, you are a great help, will keep following you have a good day Regards Pat.
patricia lord Well done Pat.
Cheers
Martin
Good job Martin .. Those pulse jet carbs suck !! That was the whole problem .. That briggs plastic carb setup has become a big problem ..
I always replace the diaphram and gasket on those as well as blow the jets out. Sorts is out most of the time. Cheers Shawn.
If ever you get one that leaks around the base of the carburetor, you can add a gasket and sandwich the diaphragm in between them.
In my opinion, that's the best Briggs and Stratton carburetor system for lawnmowers.
Simplest and most cost effective to maintain, rebuild and replace. At least, until the fuel tank starts to leak..
great video thanks I found I overloaded the lawn more with oil and took some out and it is working just fine, Again thanks.
Well done for sorting it.
Excellent video. Really clear and helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Had this problem with mine end of last season, kept cutting out and had trouble priming after the tank had been run dry then filled again. It wouldn't squirt through when you take the filter top off, so had to use a syringe for refilling ink cartridges to do it manually then screw the filter top back on. Pain. After it ran again it would start to prime from the button again. Very odd. Have a hundred jobs to do 1st and the seasons almost here so I've just bought a new mower (for the same price as someone offered a service, so no brainer). But it's good to see it's as easy as I thought. I'll keep hold of the old one and give the carb/tank section a clean out when I eventually get time, seems clogged.
A carb overhaul should sort it out Ashley. Probably dirt so a good clean with carb cleaner and a new diaphram should sort it.
Cheers
Martin
Yep, Cheers. Might as well clean out under the kill switch cover as well while I'm at it.
Thank you for an excellent tour around my B&S Yard King, I've saved this for future reference ☺ gotta love TH-cam
Thank you Martin for your reply, i bought a new spark plug the gauge is 25 took the petrol tank off cleaned it out put new petrol in, cleaned the carb up, all put back again still won't start, have you any more suggestions, thanking you, Pat.
patricia lord Does your mower have a priming bulb that you should press before trying to start the mower? If yes, you could remove the air filter and see if petrol is being injected into the carb when you press the priming bulb. If not then there is a fuel supply problem.
Let me know.
Cheers
Martin
great video. Given me the confidence to see if I can fix my lawnmower. Maybe water has got into the fuel. thanks for good video
Old video but good video mate well done 👍
hi there mate can you tell me the difference between the briggs and stratton 3.5 and 450 148cc please
I don't know off the top of my head John. I would google them bud.
Great video, thanks very much for your time and effort put into this. Will order a diaphragm set and have a go
Rob Manchester Good luck Rob and thanks for watching.
Cheers
Martin
good information there fella, im surprised while you had the tank off you never flushed it out but i guess if its a family members you may have known it was clean
Hi, I did check the inside of the tank but I cut it out at 12.56 . Well spotted and a good comment. I was told it had fresh petrol in by me relative so I didn't drain it. Always worth flushing out the tank though.
Cheers, Martin. First visit to your channel. Good show. Looking forward to watching and learning more.
Hey Greg, Thanks for your comments. Have a look around my other vids and subscribe if you like. Cheers
Martin
Great video, thank you. I have just bought an old law filet 383 SPE. clutch is slipping and it rattles a little. I will check out your other videos. Thanks again
Hi , brilliant video !
I have an old mountfiled lawnmower with the same Briggs and Stratton motor in it and it’s running very fast and smoking heavily. It’s black smoke so I’m not to sure if that’s a major problem or not.
I would be great full if you could get back to me with any advice on how to fix it as I would like to do it myself to save the expense of taking it to a shop
Many thanks ☺️
Check out my other vids bud, Its all I really work on.
Many Thanks for video, i hope to do a service on mine at the weekend, exactly the same mower, what would be good in the main comments area is the model number of the diaphragm and places to buy from, many thanks again
Check out Garden Hire Spares website and type in briggs and stratton classic 35 gasket and diaphragm
Diaphragms are nearly alway the problem.i normally replace them on everyone I repair.I have found the gaskets on cheaper ones sometimes leak so I buy genuine.Anyway another great vid thanks.
I always replace them as well. Thanks for watching.
I have a very simular model, i got a new spark plug and cleaned the air filter which had a sticky feel to it and was hard to clean. cant get in to the pull chord area just yet as my tools are not here.
+Emsflea You'll crack it bud. Just take your time.
Cheers
Martin
I’ve learnt so much from your videos. Thank you for your efforts.
Hi I have this lawnmower could you please tell me how to clean the air filter? My one has black circles where the holes are I suppose its dirt or oil (sorry real amateur here!) Can I take the yellow bit and clean in under running water? Or do have to buy a new one? Where CAN I buy one? Your help will be appreciated!! Great video btw!! And thank you!!
A very useful video. Clear and informative.
Hi Martin,
My mower is cutting out after about thirty seconds and having watched your video (which is excellent), one of the obvious things is that it has too much oil. What's the best way to get the excess oil out without causing other issues?
Damian Glancy Just tip it on it's side with a container under the dipstick hole. That's what I do.
Cheers
Martin
Thankyou for your video, i wonder if you could help me, i have a Mountfield mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine model 10D902, i have a spark but it still won't start, i have put another ignition coil on still no luck, i would appreciate your advice, thankyou. Pat
patricia lord Hello Pat, If you have a spark, make sure you have fresh petrol and the spark plug gap is not too big.
Cheers
Martin
Really helpful, every stage well described. Great dog!! Hope your wife doesn't mind your lawnmower workshop in the garden! lol.
Thanks, Martin. Terrifically helpful and inspired me to tackle this myself. Gone through all the steps then put fresh fuel in. Trouble is, the priming bulb is now not squirting fuel (it did ok before I started this servicing). Does this suggest I have a bad seal in my carb somewhere, or is there a step I need to take to 'prime the primer'? Thanks, Simon.
Simon Lambert HI Simon. It's not unusual for the primer bulb to be perforated. They are pretty easy to change, you have to prize out the plastic clip that holds them in.
Good luck and thanks for your comment.
Cheers
Martin
retrorestore Thanks for your speedy reply. I did renew the bulb last year and it was pumping fine earlier today so I don't think it's faulty. Do you think I could have created the problem during my fitting the new diaphragm and gasket in the carb?
Yes, it might help to remove the carb from the tank and check. Is the long tube in position that has the wire mesh at the end of it.
Cheers
Martin
retrorestore I took the carb off again and swapped the positions of the new diaphragm and gasket. Now I have diaphragm on the metal tank and the gasket above, next to plastic carb body. Tightened down screws and now it's sucking fuel fine :) Works a treat!
Great job, well don Simon for solving it.
Cheers
Martin
Excellent video. Very professional.
Hi Martin, I stripped down my Sovereign and overhauled it. now I have re-assembled it the body seems to be sitting up too high . From the bottom of the skirt 75mm to the floor. Is this correct? If not can you advise how the wheel assembly goes together to fit onto the body. Many Thanks.
Jim
Jim Williamson Jim, You've fitted the wheel brackets the wrong way as you suggested. You need to place the adjusting arm 90 degrees to where you have them onto the bracket.
Cheers
Martin
Hi Martin, thanks for the video. Can you tell me an easy way to determine if I have a bad starter motor or a seized engine? I by-passed the solenoid, went from battery to starter with a wire, get a spark but no turn over (a 1980s Briggs and Stratton Craftsman 8 hp riding mower.) Any help you could be would be greatly appreciated. Cat
***** If you are getting a spark but it won't turn over, you might have a faulty connection to your starter motor or a duff starter motor. Without testing the circuit, I can't really comment. Good luck.
Cheers
Martin
Any idea where I get the correct torque for putting head gasket back on a briggs and stratton 5.50 series engine, and correct. Sequence, thanks for any advice
Sorry bud, not sure.
hi great video. the best one i have watched. it will help me ten fold as i run my gardening company and I will be able to save money on repairs. How did you drain the oil as in video you seem to cut that scene. cheers bud joe
Hi Joe, I just tip the mower over to one side and catch the oil in a container.
Cheers
Martin
Great instructions! Very informative. Thank you.
My 3rd hand B&S mower has been with me a few years and is getting momentary power loss as of late. I will admit to never having thought about maintenance much and did tip it on its side once resulting in white smoke. Any tips before i take mine apart?
Also, what is the recommended way/direction to tip a mower over?
Lift it so the carb it in the air
woud like to know how you emptied oil to get the correct level. also what do you do if the mower has been stored uright and oil gets into carb etc.
otherwise thank you great video
Before storing it, drain out the oil. You can buy syringes for sucking out the oil.
www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-AK47-Suction-Syringe-Multicoloured/dp/B004ZFDBMU
Great video, very informative. I've only just started to try to fix things like this myself recently, wouldn't have been possible without instructional videos like this one. Thank you. I could use a little additional help though...I have a Briggs 550 series 158cc Yardman mower that I got for free. I've only cleaned it up a bit (broke down the carb, didn't have the gasket or diaphragm, I was just seeing if I could get it apart and back together again) replaced the air filter, plug and blade. It ran a little rough and sputtered through the summer until on the last mow of summer it started revving higher and higher over the course of 20 mins until it suddenly revved VERY high and started to throw sparks from the muffler just before I cut it off. I haven't even tried to start it since. Any Ideas?? Thanks in advance for any help you are able to give me.
Hi there, I just bought one of these cheap second hand and it doesn't start.
Checked carb, springs and all switches. Sparks there as it gave me a nice electric shock. Its low on oil and petrol so I will get some more in it. Any other advice for a non starter Briggs 4HP?
If it has good spark at the plug and good fuel, It should start. They are not very complicated so just work through the video.
Good luck
Martin
Nicely done, but explain how to check timing/shear key on crankshaft ?
(Has fuel, has spark but refuses to start/run)
Great videos sadly don't have all your kit just doing maintenance and looking to repaint.
Any suggestions on regular spray can sprays/brush ons please? Both for the underside and tops/engine
Also got a nut missing from the engine mounts bolts any ideas it's a champion/Briggs and Stratton 35 classic. I've tried looking online and can't find it for love nor money.
Thanks for your help in advance
I use hammerite smoothrite paint for the under deck, A general rattle can paint will provide the colour and you'll need a petrol resistant lacquer to spray over the top. You'll be able to buy a similar nut and bolt at your local hardware shop if you take the bolt dow to show them.
@@retrorestore legend many thanks 👍🏻 just want it to tick over for a few more years. Saw a lad on here with his 30yo Briggs was just starting to rust with little to no maintenance.
Thanks for this - made me strip down my own mower that wasn't working. See if it fires up tomorrow. 🙂
Good luck bud.
Cheers
Martin
LEGEND. i have a Mountfield 725m Ride one. The revs have dropped. Smells slightly and the blades wont kick in. I will try what u just shown. Any ideas tho in the meantime. Cheers
rupertpupkin2540 without seeing, can't really say but it sounds like slipping belts due to clogging.
Cheers
Martin
retrorestore thanks. Im learning from scratch! Its actually got 2 probs. Revs have dropped off an the blade lever wont kick start the blades. I'll have to stick a vid on. Cheers great work. I had great fun today lookin at my 450 backup mower cos of u
Hey, nice one bud. You'll sort it out.
Cheers
Martin
retrorestore eh. My 450 runs gr8 now! Only issue is it has 1 puff of black smoke on initial startup. What cud that be?
I wouldn't worry about that providing it doesn't smoke all the time.
Cheers
Martin
what do you mean when you say you often get them where the plug actually breaks down
The spark plugs can work when cold but when they warm up a bit, they stop working.
Cheers
Martin
changed the diaphram in carb but seems to run rich and just chugs along no revs until coming to end of petrol checked oil it seems ok any tip ta ste
steven fitton that is typical diaphram problem. Make sure that it was fitted correctly and that the spring is there.
Cheers
Martin
cheers I will have a check
mine is surging will it be the carb , i changed the plug and cleaned the air filter
The surging is typical of a knackerd diaphram in the carb. replas it and clean the carb and it should cure the surging.
Cheers
Martin
Thanks, I enjoyed this video.... going to tackle my own later...
one, good luck bud
Hi Martin. Which goes first on top of the tank....the thicker gasket or diaphragm?
The diaphragm on the tank and then the gasket
Mine pulls over smoothly but won't fire up, new plug and gaskets. Any ideas?
Spray a little fuel in the plug hole and if it doesn't fire, check for spark.
Hi Martin, I've been viewing your videos for about a year now and I have to say that your relaxed style and informative content make for an excellent set of vlogs! One thing I wanted to ask was whether you ever make a decision to take the head off for a de-coke. I realise that with head gaskets the way they are these days that they can't usually be reused - with new ones eating into any profit. What's your view on de-coking? Cheers, John
jsof2 When I remove the exhaust, I look up the port and if I see any build up of carbon and if the plug is really oily, that would be an indication for me to remove the head if it was a poor starter as well otherwise, i'll leave it alone.
Cheers
Martin
retrorestore Good tip - thanks Martin!
my lawnmower cut out and wont start yesterday its just had a new Carburettor Diaphragm & Gasket Kit put into it yesterday aswell it was running a cut my grass got half way through it and now it wont start am thinking now that the spark plus has gone now?? help please before a just end up selling it for spares thanks
brian woods I would try a new spark plug first as they can break down when they get hot.
Cheers
Martin
thanks mate al order one from ebay just now and see if that works then al get back to you when its fitted
I have a briggs & Startton, which has been tipped forward and oil is dripping from the front-right (under the exhaust) and lots of white smoke is coming from exhaust when it's running. any advice on the best thing (or things!) to do?
HI Jim,
Remove the Air filter as it might be soaked in oil and clean if necessary. Check the oil level and make sure it is not too low and top up if necessary but don't over fill. Now run the mower until the smoke clears. it should clear within 5 mins. Cheers
Martin
retrorestore Cheers Martin. I'll give this a whirl. Thanks very much. :-)
Perfect. Job done. Sound advice, thank you.
:-)
I've got a question, my Qualcast 120cc lawn mower starts ok but its not ticking over fast enough and stops working after 1 minutes use. Air filter is clean new fuel and it has enough oil. What would be the issue? (Briggs and Stratton engine 450E engine).
The carbs are a common issue on these Richard. There's vids on stripping them down to clean or replace it bud.
@@retrorestore, Thanks for the reply i've got the TPS carb cleaner on order and seen a vid.
Top man
Well explained and good advice
Cheers Bud, Thanks for watching.
Roughly where a bouts you from Martin, defiantly got an London accent I would say.
All the best
Dan from Clacton On Sea.
Hi Dan,
I'm from SW London but now live in Lincolnshire. Cheers
Thanks for the very informative video!
flanmaryj Hey, Thanks for watching.
Cheers
Martin
learning a lot from this ideo thanks
thanks bud.
Awesome Tutural.......Thanks for the Help
Glad you enjoyed and subscribed.
Thanks Martin
Martin, glad I came across your youtube page. Can I hose down my lawnmower? I know there are certain areas where you can't get wet.
It should be ok just be careful. I know people who use a hose and pressure washer and they have no problems.
Regards
Martin
Hi Martin. Great videos, thanks. However all your mowers seem to start (ie actually fire and turn over). I've got a quite new unused briggs & stratton hp470 mountfield which although has a spark will not start. changed fuel. All looks ok. Do you have any advise as to what else I could try? Thanks. Neil
Is the fuel getting into the engine? if you either spray easy start or some fuel into the inlet from the carb, it should start if you have spark at the plug. If it runs momently, there could be a blockage in the carb or fuel tank filter.When you press the primer bulb, can you see fuel entering the inlet manifold through the top of the carb?
If it still doesn't start, it could be a sheared upper flywheel key that has put the timing out..
Cheers
Martin
Hi Martin. Thanks for the message. Yes there is fuel getting through as the plug smells of petrol when I removed it and was wet. Thought it might be flood but waited for hour and retried but no joy. It doesn't fire at all. Not even a single fire. Might try new plug but works fine against chassis when out so not convinced. It's 10 yrs old but hardly used so would not expect timing failure. Will have a play tomorrow. Thanks again. Love the videos very informative and fun to watch your very clear explanation. Cheers. Neil
Oh. Yes there is fuel getting through when the prime bulb is pressed so think it would a least fire once?
Probably a sheared flywheel key. Does the blade look like it has hit something?
hi martin. I don't think it has hit anything as I cut lawn 2 weeks ago and it was fine. Just released handle to stop and put in garage? It's very strange.
Great video! Looking forward to fixing my beast. You didn't show how to the remove oil, I take it there is a bolt on the underside?
Just take the filler cap out and tip the mower up over a container. A lot simpler than trying to remove a drain plug.
Cheers
Martin
Thanks very much
another great video thanks
You Sir, are a legend.
Thank you so much very helpful
Yes Martin, keep up the good work
Cheers Mark
My mower runs, but does not move when push the leaver in! any ideas!
Maybe the drive belt has come off the pulleys
Cleaned the carb with carb cleaner and applied a new gasket and diaphragm, it starts but when i go over grass it cuts out. :/
Try a new spark plug.
+retrorestore did that mate. summat to do with choke, or linkages on carb.
Hard to say without seeing it but cutting out can be fuel starvation or the wire that comes from the switch at the back of the engine sometimes get's trapped under the engine cover and touches the rotating flywheel and wears through the insulation and this cuts the engine out. Just make sure the cable isn't rubbing on the flywheel under the cowling.
Could have saved stripping anything, simply by placing your hand over the air intake a few times when starting to provide a 'choke' effect, there by drawing fuel through the dried out diaphragm !
+Jason Goodsell There's more possible problems that a flooded engine. The point of this vid is to show people other options as well.
Cheers
Martin
True, but worth mentioning it as a try before strip option, 8 times out of 10 it will save any further work ;-)
very good, worth the watch
Thank you for your comment.
hey i am from downunder been watching your videos very enjoyable we have the same engines on our mowers but of course we have different brands too you such as Victa and masport and ryobi and a few others but it is all th same i am a mower dude hear that mows peoples lawns but i also known too sell mowers love ya work and ya happy days cheers mate
P.S mate sew ya pants up lol funny as
Hey Justin,
Glad you are enjoying the vids. Pants sewn up now.
Cheers
Martin
retrorestore in australia we say G'day mate i saw another video of yours say you had 24c for your summer weather hey we are 3 days out of winter and we are getting 27c but of course we are known as the sunburnt country lol
i have never paid for a mower we have a thing over here where people throw hings out on the road for council pick up i collect approx 6 mowers a week for free and i found 1 yesterday it was new just missing the pull assembly and fuel cap i sold that today for $120 not a bad profit
Justin Parker
Wish we had that sort of system over here, Great find and a great profit. It's amazing what people throw away.
Thanks for the sub Justin.
Regards
Martin
Really handy video, cheers
Its like fixing the old Beetle, you can easily know every part after a few fixes.