✅Click here for a new air filter ➜ amzn.to/3jbEbh6 For more videos like this, check out: 👉Proper Way To Tip A Lawn Mower Over ➜ th-cam.com/video/eeEVigsVqrE/w-d-xo.html 👉How To Fix Stripped Spark Plug Threads With This Hack ➜ th-cam.com/video/yY_fuDRltZE/w-d-xo.html 👉How To Tell If The Crankshaft Is Bent On A Lawn Mower ➜ th-cam.com/video/3up57DHiCqs/w-d-xo.html 👉Best Way To Clean a Honda Style Carburetor ➜ th-cam.com/video/uAHdhuDpeKw/w-d-xo.html You can connect with Steve here too: ✅Visit Steve’s WEBSITE ➜ www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/ ✅Visit Steve’s PARTS & TOOL STORE ➜ www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on FACEBOOK ➜ facebook.com/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on INSTAGRAM ➜ instagram.com/stevessmallenginesaloon/ ✅Follow Steve on TWITTER ➜ twitter.com/SteveSaloon
I heard a knocking last year on an older John Deere push mower. Tore it completely apart. Found a little, (almost no) play in the connecting rod. Put it all back together. After 5 minutes, started knocking again... Was the frigging aftermarket lawnmower blade loosening and banging around... Lesson in checking the little things first!
Picked up a push mower on the side of the road, said free on it. Got it home and started it, ran very rough and low rpm. Started taking it apart and saw it was not taken care of, grass everywhere. Under the cover, packed in the fins of the engine. All it was missing was a spring on the throttle lever. Nice easy, cheap fix! Just a little maintenance goes a long way!
I picked up a Toro Personal Pace lawn mower, almost new, because the owner was told that the crankshaft was bent. I tipped it over to check the crank and the blade was so loose it almost fell off. Tightened it back up and sold it for $250.00 the next day. It ran perfectly. I'm looking for another one. Ha ha
I don't know if you're gonna see this, but you are a WEALTH of info for a guy like me. Just picked up a job as a small engine/tool tech. I've had some experience "getting stuff started," but you're helping me really understand what I'm actually doing. You're like a youtube encyclopedia!
Thanks for showing this great example of what you have said before... Rock over your mower the wrong way and soak the filter with oil.(Drove it home) Thanks again
I cannot tell you how many movers come into my shop with that exact - and only that - problem. Either the filters are soaked in oil or caked from years of never being changed. New filter, new plug and I've got a happy customer :)
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon I had a sneaky feeling that filter was the culprit...I hope this guy doesn't do the same thing with his new mower or else you'll get a second free one 😀
When you showed the air filter I knew that was going to be a problem for the engine. If I was the owner of that machine I think I would’ve asked you to troubleshoot it while I watched. I would’ve learned a few things and I would’ve paid you for your time, saving me another $700 for a brand new lawnmower. Great video👍
Two years back I picked one up trash day with a kholer engine. It stayed dormant in my tool shed until this last weekend. Tried to start it and no luck. I did look into the air filter right away. For further precautions I took the fuel bowl and carb apart. Dusted it them off and fired right up minus the air filter lol. Did just what you done and the exact same thing happened. It went to dye almost immediately. Air filter replacement $5.99 Great video 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Similar thing with my boss. He told me to throw the Honda mower in his truck into the dumpster. I asked if I can have it, he said sure but it fouls the plug 3 times before it will mow the whole yard. I took it home and all it needed was a new air filter. Old one was clogged with dust. I made a free $150!
I had two push mowers given to me. The one needed a new fuel line which had rotted off. The other mower I cleaned the carb and am still using it. If the mower doesn’t start, people do not want to be bothered. I guess that’s to our benefit. Keep the great video’s coming!
I was taught check the simple things first. Saves so much headache, time, money, and work. Clogged spark arrestors create a similar issue. I found if you simply remove said arrestors it alleviates the choking issue. Some types of Stihl equipment are quite problematic in this regard. Also one must always follow directions on machinery.
@@marcmyers1465 true dat! I use high octane, non ethanol gas in all my gas powered equipment. Everything runs better without the gumming and clogging effects you can also get from ethanol. Best to stay away from it if one can do so. Good information BTW.
If you’re having that problem you are probably mixing your 2 cycle gas oil mix with too much oil. It also really helps to use the Stihl full synthetic additive.
@@patricknesbit2334 it really does. I worked for a guy years ago that instead of using up the can of two cycle he would just top it off when it was 1/4 full or so. Then he would add the normal amount of oil. You do that enough and you’re running your equipment on a 50/50 or more blend. The gas was black I swear!! Worst part was he wouldn’t listen to reason. Obviously because I was in my early 20s and young and he was in his four years therefore smart totally made sense. This is a tiny example of this guys genius mind. I wasn’t surprised when I learned a year after quitting that he went out of business.
Steve, I had a weed eater given to me, the guy said it won't Rev up, the screen in the muffler was plugged, I cleaned the screen and it run's great, it was free! Great video Steve, I learn a lot from you! I'm always watching for you're videos!
I Remember that video. I even remember when I was younger knowing that if I tipped it over something bad might happen. Very good Steve The small engine guy!
A week ago I bought a Poulan walk behind string trimmer at an estate sale for fifty bucks. It was grungy, ugly, and barely ran. I cleaned it up, changed the oil, filter, and spark plug (Champion plugs get thrown as far as I can muster) and it ran perfectly. About an hour ago, I sold it for $200. Beer money. For a long time. Thanks for all the tips Steve! I've been tinkering with this stuff for almost 40 years, but I always learn a new little trick from you when I watch what you do.
I've experienced this exact thing. I didn't think a filter that looked pretty clean could be so restrictive, but when it's coated in oil is almost completely plugged! I love free lawnmowers!
Steve-if you want to raise the profile of the small engine business everywhere, contact the fellow you got that mower from and offer it back to him for the cost of the repair.
Steve, I'm amazed that even with all the mower fix-it channels, I still find things like this often enough. Our landfills are overflowing, with mowers, bikes...
That is a great score Steve $750 mower for free can't beat that i got a STIHL FS55R for free over a carburetor i have since rebuilt it to brand new spec and it runs like a dream.
Steve, two days after I watched this video I found a Toro Recycler out at the curb for trash day. It looked barely used and the engine pulled over with good compression. Turns out the only issue was an oil fouled air filter. Owner had over-filled the crankcase. Shaking my head!
I got one of those! Just had to spend 20$ on a new carburetor and love it! Same with a trimmer! It had a bad starter pull rope spring, 20$ and works like new!
I just fixed one of these, previous tech took the choke flap out.....guessing the auto choke bit was not working. i was impressed with the AWD, man that thing can pull ya!
Had a Husky mower years ago. Ran really well. It didn’t like hitting a small tree stump though. Engine survived but got ripped off the deck ! Deck was wrecked, it was only plastic. New deck and it was as good as new.
I got a Briggs 24 hp V twin with the electric clutch for 100 bucks. It had 3 hours on it. Guy bought a zero turn JD. He mowed his yard one time and the tornado hit Joplin. Picked up his mower and flipped it. His insurance paid for a new one and didn't want the old one. I put it on a racing mower I built. Sold the electric clutch for 100 bucks. I would run 50% regular gas and 50% Torco 110 octane. Cop got me once on the road out front of my house. He showed me his radar. 61 in a 55. Lol
@@jerrymeeuwse859 When properly geared, 24HP could easily get you up to 60MPH, as long as the tractor isn't too heavy though, remember, its that whole power to weight ratio.
@@stellarproductions8888 Oh yeah I know. I've built a number of racing mowers and experimented with many different setups. I build my own front axles because I'm not gonna go that fast on that stock axle. Peerless 700 series mud box trannies are the best. I put a tall 3rd gear in them and by the time you hit 4th, your gone. I used to have lots of friends and other racers come and ask me advice or help building their racers. It sure is fun. I built a quarter mile track in my back pasture in Missouri and would have atleast 2 races a month. Lots of fun had by all
@@jerrymeeuwse859 Sounds like loads of fun for sure. I got one of those 1990 Craftsman, back when the hoods were all metal and square shaped. It's only got a 12.5HP engine. But I swapped the 8" pulley on tranny with a 3.5", installed a few idler pulleys, different belt, just to get it away from nut buster shifter. Wasn't for racing, just a transport speed boost. Can easily go 20MPH. But like you said. Stock axle, stock tranny break, no proper suspension, too scary going that speed off-road. You go total bucking bronco, thrown off lol. I put on a piston shift knob, rear tires got Carlisle Super Lugs, they bight good in mud. Front tires I got Carlisle ATV Holeshots, which are bias-ply, and resist turning less. Some people really like it when they see it lol
I have the same mower. Had it for almost three years now. Still starts and runs perfect but leaks oil from the head gasket. Second Honda engine mower i have had to leak oil. I also removed the plastic cover over the front belt as it just completely clogged with grass every time I mowed.
Those who say "Ignorance is bliss" have never "GIVEN AWAY" a perfectly fine, 900-dollar (Huskvarna!!!) lawnmower... and then went out and spent 700-more-unecessar-dollars on another mower! The old adage is "The poor man always pays twice." Considering the rather well-to-do person who could afford to spend 1600 dollars (!!!) on lawn mowers, I'm convinced that old "poor man" adage needs SERIOUS revision! Thanks so much, Steve, for your priceless information! Mike D.
Marketplace just had a 52" Exmark zero turn with a blown motor for 200 bucks. Pictures were beautiful. It was in a rich neighborhood. The ad was only up for 37 minutes and it was gone before I got there.
Or timing, they can shear the flywheel key. The formula for starting an engine is F.A.R.T.S. Fuel. Air. Revolutions. Timing. Spark. If those check good, it's a base engine concern and engine integrity tests must follow. Compression. Leak down. Boroscope. Teardown inspections. Yep. It's a process.
Hey Steve Had similar symptoms on our old 2 cycle Toro. Over time, the engine kept running slower and slower. I did all the usual stuff, plug, carb, spark, air filter, new gas-oil; nothing worked. Then as I was scraping out the gras under the deck I noticed that the exhaust seemed plugged with grass so I pulled off the cover and ‘Voila’ there was the culprit. Seems the gas-oil mix ran so rich over the years the exhaust completely fouled the entire exhaust choking out the airflow entirely. Once cleaned, it now starts on first pull again, who knew? I really enjoy your channel Steve, ‘Keep em coming’. Cheers, Larry
Great video Steve, sometimes it is just something as simple an air filter to get something running as good as new again. I just can't believe someone spent that much money for a lawnmower and never gave you a chance (or any small engine mechanic) to look at it to see how much it would cost to fix it before replacing it with yet another very expensive mower. Either way I appreciate your abilities and a great way to present it in a video.
My guess is tipped on the wrong side and oil got into the air filter. I think this because I've watched your video on tipping on the wrong side, and have done it myself before I was enlightened. Thanks for saving me time and money, Steve! Please keep the videos coming.
This is why I love your blogs, I was just saying to my wife that I think the more was tired the wrong way. John, good job Steve. Keep on blogging I'll keep watching..
2 free "used once" mowers exactly alike. What's the story? Brigs motors ran out of gas and fuel added, just enough to finish the big lawn. It wouldn't start so he bought another, filled it and the same thing happened. He bought a different mower with a bigger tank.
if he can afford that... my dad's complaint about his current brush cutter is that he'd like it to have a little bit bigger tank, so he gets tired of using it at about the same time it runs out of gas, so I bought one with a bigger tank.
SWEET! Great videos and instructions. I grabbed a toro recycler out of the trash, watched your video on cleaning and rebuilding the briggs carb…now I’m mowing my lawn with it.
Great video! Having a clean air filter really makes a difference. I've found out the hard way that tipping your lawn mower on the wrong side is bad news. Today, I just tipped my mower (after being repaired) over on a 45 degree angle forward to clean underneath when I should have tipped it backward. But it was only for like a minute or two. Thankfully my mower is working fine.
Worked at Walmart in Lawn and garden once in between oilfield jobs. We sold a lot of lawnmowers in the spring then come fall a bunch of them got returned because they would start or run right. I got the job of trouble shooting them. atleast 90% had clogged airfilters . Cleaned them up and set them out for sale at a reduced price. People do not maintain their equipment , it's crazy. I mow yards now days and most of my customers hire me because they can't keep a mower running . . Leave them out in the weather and never change the air filter or drain gas at the end of the season then they blame the mower for not running. No home training these days ! Fun video , take care Steve !
As a small engine tech and owner I routinely see machines that homeowners attempt to fix and bring things down in boxes and buckets and sometimes pieces missing. A simple job initially becomes more costly for them Everyone has to know their limitations and when to take it to a shop.The worse is when someone takes a hammer to a shaft end and mushrooms the end and expects to remove a fitted piece.A torch is my best friend daily.Nice deal you got, I commonly get machines donated to me and get sweet deals and amazed like most mechanics on your site with the throw away attitude od some people.
Thanks for the learning you bring to us Steve. So simple when you have enough common sense to find out issue and fix on places like youtube videos. Clean oil, sharp blade, clean air filter, fresh fuel of proper type. Store mower indoors to keep away from elements and critters nesting and chewing with teeth. Spendy mower. I do learn alot from Steve and Teryl and a few others. Good job, lessons to be learned in this video, pay attention folks.
👍Sweet! It’s great when we get a win! My nieghbor gave me his 2 yr old NICE Pres washer because he was frustrated, wouldn’t start. Few weeks later as I finally got around to it….I found the fuel turned in off position! That was all! 😄Explained my findings to him, offered back and he said “Merry Christmas, I already bought a new one” 👍
Not much surprises me in this throw away society ,,, its sad that things have gotten like this . But at least the guy had a go , and thats better than most. shame he didnt just send it for a service ,,, still a great win for you.
Steve, what will you do with it? Here’s an idea: run a competition to find a local kid who needs a summer job mowing lawns and give it away. Put that video up as well. ❤️
@@CALVINLNIKONT It depends on what Steve has for a mower. In my case I could get a 2 year old 48” commercial zero turn and it would be the one I got rid of because it wouldn’t compare to what I have now.
Great job Steve. I find a lot of people are idols. I got a lawn mover the same as you because it would not run. The owner had changed the oil and filled it to full. Took some out and it now runs good.. Enjoy your videos. You are talented.
I was given a mower with the same engine. It had a dirty carb and needed the updated governor spring. It now runs like a champ and cranks first pull every time!
Not everyone has a knowledgeable dad to teach them about engines. If I didn't discover this and other TH-cam channels, I'd never know how to fix these. But these videos at least let me try to fix them!
But those are the best ones. Like in Steve’s case, they took a whole lot of stuff off because they had no clue. They just hadn’t looked at the correct part yet, even though they had to remove it to get the carburetor off.
OLD MAN here from EP saying who would have thought eh! We have had the same issue on two occasions when we did a full service but customer did not want to pay for a new filter and pre filter ($11 Cdn) until they saw their mower start first pull with the new filter and would not even start with their old filter installed. Great video and keep tipping them straight back even if it is a beer instead of a mower.
I am a Honda Engine Master Technician, (45 Years Experience) and this is VERY Common. Nobody reads the Manuals, and Most People don't Maintain their Engines. Old Gas( Over 30 days from the pump) and Dirty Air Filters are the cause of Most Problems. Good Video Steve ! From a Guy Named Steve!
I'd be surprised if you didn't reach back out to this poor guy and work something out with him, such that if you sold it, you'd give him half or something. I feel like I've been watching you long enough to know that you're not all about trying to prosper from other people's ignorance. I've always known you to be a stand-up guy that is trying to help his fellow man... And cheers to you because THAT is what you have always done. Great video, as it teaches all of us some important information. Stay COOL, Steve.
I had someone give me Husqvarna walk behind lawn mower within the last 2 weeks because it would crank then shut off.I knew from watching your videos that was most likely clogged carb jet,so I took the mower.It took me maybe 20 minutes to pull the jets(Briggs & Stratton)blow them out, and put it back together. It cranked 1st pull and purrs like a kitten.Very nice mower for free.Thanks for the knowledge!!!!!
First thing I saw, even before you said anything was, hmmm that air filter looks mighty dark. Like I've said before, it is amazing the difference clean filters can make for especially small engines! STOCK UP on replacement parts BEFORE you need them people!!! Love your vids Steve!
At first I thought the same thing but then after thinking about it I think that would just be adding insult to injury. The poor guy already bought a new mower. I don't think I would take this one back to him. It's almost like rubbing it in his face even trying to be nice.
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon Yeah. I think if it were me, and since he already bought a new mower, I'd sell it, keep some of the money for my trouble and give him the rest. I've made some dumb mistakes on machinery too
Steve, you should make a video on 2-cycle fuel line, there are a lot of cheep all purpose line for example Tygon, what’s best fuel line to use on equipment? What is going to last? Love your videos keep doing what you doing 👍👍
It's just me but i would have brought it back to the guy, charged him for THE PART and $20 labor and given it back. Money never came easy to me so I Always feel sorry for others,,,but that's just me.
I’ve had a craftsman mower with a Honda engine for 18 years now,always starts within 2-3 pulls even after sitting for 6-7 months.The last couple of years I’ve left it outside in the winter rains here in Nanaimo. I checked the air filter before starting the first time this year,full of water,carb all gelled up,exhaust also had water coming out. Pulled it all apart,cleaned carb out,new filter,plug,two quick oil changes.checked compression,all good and runs like a top. I’m only gonna run chevron 94 with no ethanol to avoid any kind of crystallization in the carb again. 😎
I agreed until he said the guy went out and bought another $750 mower. Until then I thought he was gonna say he took it back to him, but, as I said he bought a new one so...
Yep, you got lucky for sure. Right place, right time!! I never took air filters all that seriously until recently with my own mower. And now your video confirms my suspicions. Thanks!!
That's a fortunate deal for you Sir. Thank you for the video. I have a question... Can we clean the whole outside of the engine, carburetor, and camshaft and everything else on the outside of our push lawn mower with brake cleaner? I have a used and very dirty push mower, and I removed the plastic housing cover, the plastic fuel tank, the 2nd metal plate housing, the air filter & cover, the spark plug, and the muffler. I covered the spark plug hole and the muffler hole with plastic bag and paper towel so nothing will get in the holes. It has a lot of grime and dirt all over, and I want to clean it all off but I'm not sure if this is something that can be done without damaging it somehow? If this can be done, is there anything else (electrical or other) that I need to cover with plastic to not get it wet and damage it? I wanted to get the advice from someone who knows about these things. Any help is much appreciated.
✅Click here for a new air filter ➜ amzn.to/3jbEbh6
For more videos like this, check out:
👉Proper Way To Tip A Lawn Mower Over ➜ th-cam.com/video/eeEVigsVqrE/w-d-xo.html
👉How To Fix Stripped Spark Plug Threads With This Hack ➜ th-cam.com/video/yY_fuDRltZE/w-d-xo.html
👉How To Tell If The Crankshaft Is Bent On A Lawn Mower ➜ th-cam.com/video/3up57DHiCqs/w-d-xo.html
👉Best Way To Clean a Honda Style Carburetor ➜ th-cam.com/video/uAHdhuDpeKw/w-d-xo.html
You can connect with Steve here too:
✅Visit Steve’s WEBSITE ➜ www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/
✅Visit Steve’s PARTS & TOOL STORE ➜ www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon
✅Follow Steve on FACEBOOK ➜ facebook.com/stevessmallenginesaloon
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Flooded?
Bad fuel or clogged air filter?
Quick give me 6 lottery numbers
@@paperburn 654321lol
That’s absolutely ridiculous and hilarious!! Wow common sense is gone🤦🏻♂️🤣🤣
I heard a knocking last year on an older John Deere push mower. Tore it completely apart. Found a little, (almost no) play in the connecting rod. Put it all back together. After 5 minutes, started knocking again... Was the frigging aftermarket lawnmower blade loosening and banging around... Lesson in checking the little things first!
Agreed!
Ya know, another reason why those older John Deere's knock is because they can't ring the door bell eh !
Picked up a push mower on the side of the road, said free on it. Got it home and started it, ran very rough and low rpm. Started taking it apart and saw it was not taken care of, grass everywhere. Under the cover, packed in the fins of the engine. All it was missing was a spring on the throttle lever. Nice easy, cheap fix! Just a little maintenance goes a long way!
I picked up a Toro Personal Pace lawn mower, almost new, because the owner was told that the crankshaft was bent. I tipped it over to check the crank and the blade was so loose it almost fell off. Tightened it back up and sold it for $250.00 the next day. It ran perfectly. I'm looking for another one. Ha ha
I've had lawnmowers that I thought went bad. Oil on filter, slight knocking sound. Now I know the issues on tipping to wrong side.
Thank you.
You're Welcome...
I don't know if you're gonna see this, but you are a WEALTH of info for a guy like me. Just picked up a job as a small engine/tool tech. I've had some experience "getting stuff started," but you're helping me really understand what I'm actually doing. You're like a youtube encyclopedia!
WOW! Thank You...
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon Update! Just got home from my first day, and I LOVE MY JOB. Thanks, Steve!
Thanks for showing this great example of what you have said before...
Rock over your mower the wrong way and soak the filter with oil.(Drove it home) Thanks again
You're Welcome...
I cannot tell you how many movers come into my shop with that exact - and only that - problem. Either the filters are soaked in oil or caked from years of never being changed. New filter, new plug and I've got a happy customer :)
Right on Derek!
It ain’t luck when you know what you are doing. You are awesome!
Thank You...
Good job Steve. Because of the service you are providing for all of us DIY-ERS, I hope all your problems are easily solved as well.
Thank You...
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon I had a sneaky feeling that filter was the culprit...I hope this guy doesn't do the same thing with his new mower or else you'll get a second free one 😀
@@gleni8651 My thoughts exactly.
Hey TH-cam it's me Bill again! Just making sure you didn't forget that this guy is awesome and you should recommend him to others!
When you showed the air filter I knew that was going to be a problem for the engine. If I was the owner of that machine I think I would’ve asked you to troubleshoot it while I watched. I would’ve learned a few things and I would’ve paid you for your time, saving me another $700 for a brand new lawnmower. Great video👍
Two years back I picked one up trash day with a kholer engine. It stayed dormant in my tool shed until this last weekend. Tried to start it and no luck. I did look into the air filter right away. For further precautions I took the fuel bowl and carb apart. Dusted it them off and fired right up minus the air filter lol.
Did just what you done and the exact same thing happened. It went to dye almost immediately. Air filter replacement $5.99
Great video 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Similar thing with my boss. He told me to throw the Honda mower in his truck into the dumpster. I asked if I can have it, he said sure but it fouls the plug 3 times before it will mow the whole yard. I took it home and all it needed was a new air filter. Old one was clogged with dust. I made a free $150!
Right on
They say it better to be lucky than good. I say it's even better to lucky and good! Great job Steve! It's amazing when shit works!
I had two push mowers given to me. The one needed a new fuel line which had rotted off. The other mower I cleaned the carb and am still using it. If the mower doesn’t start, people do not want to be bothered. I guess that’s to our benefit. Keep the great video’s coming!
Will do!
A good reminder of always checking basic service points before attempting more complicated repairs
Agreed!
I was taught check the simple things first. Saves so much headache, time, money, and work. Clogged spark arrestors create a similar issue. I found if you simply remove said arrestors it alleviates the choking issue. Some types of Stihl equipment are quite problematic in this regard. Also one must always follow directions on machinery.
I took one off of my weed eater and it instantly ran like brand new! Yep,,,,, file 13.
@@marcmyers1465 true dat! I use high octane, non ethanol gas in all my gas powered equipment. Everything runs better without the gumming and clogging effects you can also get from ethanol. Best to stay away from it if one can do so. Good information BTW.
If you’re having that problem you are probably mixing your 2 cycle gas oil mix with too much oil. It also really helps to use the Stihl full synthetic additive.
@@Manhandle730 very good points. It is always best to use the recommend oil in the exact ratios.
@@patricknesbit2334 it really does. I worked for a guy years ago that instead of using up the can of two cycle he would just top it off when it was 1/4 full or so. Then he would add the normal amount of oil. You do that enough and you’re running your equipment on a 50/50 or more blend. The gas was black I swear!! Worst part was he wouldn’t listen to reason. Obviously because I was in my early 20s and young and he was in his four years therefore smart totally made sense. This is a tiny example of this guys genius mind. I wasn’t surprised when I learned a year after quitting that he went out of business.
Steve, I had a weed eater given to me, the guy said it won't Rev up, the screen in the muffler was plugged, I cleaned the screen and it run's great, it was free! Great video Steve, I learn a lot from you! I'm always watching for you're videos!
Awesome!
I Remember that video. I even remember when I was younger knowing that if I tipped it over something bad might happen. Very good Steve The small engine guy!
You're Welcome...
A week ago I bought a Poulan walk behind string trimmer at an estate sale for fifty bucks. It was grungy, ugly, and barely ran. I cleaned it up, changed the oil, filter, and spark plug (Champion plugs get thrown as far as I can muster) and it ran perfectly.
About an hour ago, I sold it for $200. Beer money. For a long time. Thanks for all the tips Steve! I've been tinkering with this stuff for almost 40 years, but I always learn a new little trick from you when I watch what you do.
Right on Corey! Thank You...
I've experienced this exact thing. I didn't think a filter that looked pretty clean could be so restrictive, but when it's coated in oil is almost completely plugged! I love free lawnmowers!
Agreed!
Look no further than this dude for all your small engine issues. Saved me lots just watching your videos. Thank you sir. I enjoy cold beer 🍺 too.
Thanks for watching!
Steve-if you want to raise the profile of the small engine business everywhere, contact the fellow you got that mower from and offer it back to him for the cost of the repair.
DID! He already bought a new one...
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon Atta boy Steve! You lead the industry on the high road. Keep up the good work.
Steve, I'm amazed that even with all the mower fix-it channels, I still find things like this often enough. Our landfills are overflowing, with mowers, bikes...
That is a great score Steve $750 mower for free can't beat that i got a STIHL FS55R for free over a carburetor i have since rebuilt it to brand new spec and it runs like a dream.
Right on Jamie!
I had a Husqvarna yth2348 running rough dying out ,watched your video and after air and fuel filters it runs good .Thank you $2000 saved.
Right on Mike! You're Welcome...
Steve, two days after I watched this video I found a Toro Recycler out at the curb for trash day. It looked barely used and the engine pulled over with good compression. Turns out the only issue was an oil fouled air filter. Owner had over-filled the crankcase. Shaking my head!
Right on Mark!
I got one of those! Just had to spend 20$ on a new carburetor and love it!
Same with a trimmer! It had a bad starter pull rope spring, 20$ and works like new!
I just fixed one of these, previous tech took the choke flap out.....guessing the auto choke bit was not working. i was impressed with the AWD, man that thing can pull ya!
Sure can!
Thanks, Steve. My dad told me the first rule of mechanic work - always check the easy stuff first!!
Your Dad is a smart man!
Had a Husky mower years ago. Ran really well. It didn’t like hitting a small tree stump though. Engine survived but got ripped off the deck ! Deck was wrecked, it was only plastic. New deck and it was as good as new.
Interesting!
I got a Briggs 24 hp V twin with the electric clutch for 100 bucks. It had 3 hours on it. Guy bought a zero turn JD. He mowed his yard one time and the tornado hit Joplin. Picked up his mower and flipped it. His insurance paid for a new one and didn't want the old one. I put it on a racing mower I built. Sold the electric clutch for 100 bucks. I would run 50% regular gas and 50% Torco 110 octane. Cop got me once on the road out front of my house. He showed me his radar. 61 in a 55. Lol
@@jerrymeeuwse859 When properly geared, 24HP could easily get you up to 60MPH, as long as the tractor isn't too heavy though, remember, its that whole power to weight ratio.
@@stellarproductions8888 Oh yeah I know. I've built a number of racing mowers and experimented with many different setups. I build my own front axles because I'm not gonna go that fast on that stock axle. Peerless 700 series mud box trannies are the best. I put a tall 3rd gear in them and by the time you hit 4th, your gone. I used to have lots of friends and other racers come and ask me advice or help building their racers. It sure is fun. I built a quarter mile track in my back pasture in Missouri and would have atleast 2 races a month. Lots of fun had by all
@@jerrymeeuwse859 Sounds like loads of fun for sure. I got one of those 1990 Craftsman, back when the hoods were all metal and square shaped. It's only got a 12.5HP engine. But I swapped the 8" pulley on tranny with a 3.5", installed a few idler pulleys, different belt, just to get it away from nut buster shifter. Wasn't for racing, just a transport speed boost. Can easily go 20MPH. But like you said. Stock axle, stock tranny break, no proper suspension, too scary going that speed off-road. You go total bucking bronco, thrown off lol. I put on a piston shift knob, rear tires got Carlisle Super Lugs, they bight good in mud. Front tires I got Carlisle ATV Holeshots, which are bias-ply, and resist turning less. Some people really like it when they see it lol
I have the same mower. Had it for almost three years now. Still starts and runs perfect but leaks oil from the head gasket. Second Honda engine mower i have had to leak oil. I also removed the plastic cover over the front belt as it just completely clogged with grass every time I mowed.
Used to get all kinds of people doing things like this working in a mower shop.
Those who say "Ignorance is bliss" have never "GIVEN AWAY" a perfectly fine, 900-dollar (Huskvarna!!!) lawnmower... and then went out and spent 700-more-unecessar-dollars on another mower! The old adage is "The poor man always pays twice." Considering the rather well-to-do person who could afford to spend 1600 dollars (!!!) on lawn mowers, I'm convinced that old "poor man" adage needs SERIOUS revision! Thanks so much, Steve, for your priceless information! Mike D.
Marketplace just had a 52" Exmark zero turn with a blown motor for 200 bucks. Pictures were beautiful. It was in a rich neighborhood. The ad was only up for 37 minutes and it was gone before I got there.
Liked your thought process of what the issue was, or could be.
Thank You...
Nice! Those Hondas are very expensive. The saying goes check the easy stuff first. Another item saved from the landfill.
Keep up the good work Steve.👍
Thanks! Will do...
Level one diagnostic: Fuel, air or spark. It's gotta be one or a combination.
Or timing, they can shear the flywheel key.
The formula for starting an engine is F.A.R.T.S.
Fuel.
Air.
Revolutions.
Timing.
Spark.
If those check good, it's a base engine concern and engine integrity tests must follow.
Compression.
Leak down.
Boroscope.
Teardown inspections.
Yep.
It's a process.
Or compression.
Hey Steve
Had similar symptoms on our old 2 cycle Toro. Over time, the engine kept running slower and slower. I did all the usual stuff, plug, carb, spark, air filter, new gas-oil; nothing worked.
Then as I was scraping out the gras under the deck I noticed that the exhaust seemed plugged with grass so I pulled off the cover and ‘Voila’ there was the culprit.
Seems the gas-oil mix ran so rich over the years the exhaust completely fouled the entire exhaust choking out the airflow entirely.
Once cleaned, it now starts on first pull again, who knew?
I really enjoy your channel Steve, ‘Keep em coming’.
Cheers, Larry
Great video Steve, sometimes it is just something as simple an air filter to get something running as good as new again. I just can't believe someone spent that much money for a lawnmower and never gave you a chance (or any small engine mechanic) to look at it to see how much it would cost to fix it before replacing it with yet another very expensive mower. Either way I appreciate your abilities and a great way to present it in a video.
Thanks 👍
My guess is tipped on the wrong side and oil got into the air filter. I think this because I've watched your video on tipping on the wrong side, and have done it myself before I was enlightened. Thanks for saving me time and money, Steve! Please keep the videos coming.
Thanks! Will do...
Lol, I had tipped my lownmover the wrong side once or twice, but I did figure out the air filter got soaked, thus couldn't intake air!
Exactly!
Yep a gasoline (or even diesel) has to breathe! That's how you make H.P.!
This is why I love your blogs, I was just saying to my wife that I think the more was tired the wrong way. John, good job Steve. Keep on blogging I'll keep watching..
2 free "used once" mowers exactly alike. What's the story? Brigs motors ran out of gas and fuel added, just enough to finish the big lawn. It wouldn't start so he bought another, filled it and the same thing happened. He bought a different mower with a bigger tank.
@@tomtheplummer7322 Or give up smoking lol
if he can afford that... my dad's complaint about his current brush cutter is that he'd like it to have a little bit bigger tank, so he gets tired of using it at about the same time it runs out of gas, so I bought one with a bigger tank.
SWEET! Great videos and instructions. I grabbed a toro recycler out of the trash, watched your video on cleaning and rebuilding the briggs carb…now I’m mowing my lawn with it.
Awesome!
Great video! Having a clean air filter really makes a difference. I've found out the hard way that tipping your lawn mower on the wrong side is bad news. Today, I just tipped my mower (after being repaired) over on a 45 degree angle forward to clean underneath when I should have tipped it backward. But it was only for like a minute or two. Thankfully my mower is working fine.
Can you do a video on the wax pellet valve you were talking about?
Coming soon!
I think Donyboy already did one on that part.
How about a Donyboy Vs Steve -O duke it out video?
@@jonyoung6405 YES! I follow both of them!
Ahhh, the old oil bath, it worked good on the old ones. LOL. THANK you for sharing.
You're Welcome...
Can you please do a video replacing the needle and seat on a Husqvarna lawn mower?
Neighbor gave me virtually same unit. Cleaned carb bowl, fresh gas......started 1st pull....ran great
Awesome!
It is incredible that Briggs & Stratton engines start at the first try when they are ok!!
@@_AndromedaGalaxy_ It seemed identical to a B&S to me...
@@alejandrodelabarra2838 Steve even said it was a HONDA in the video. SMH
@@bushmaster2936 Yes, yes.
It just seemed to me.
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy congratulations Steve !!
Thank You...
Man he took it all to bits.. give it to the professional.. fingers crossed
@@jamietoro8373 I’m sure he knows more than you.
I knew you could fix it Steve. If you can’t fix it it can’t be fixed. Great job. Love your channel.
Thank You...
Great stuff Steve - and perfect pronunciation of Husqvarna ;-)
LOL Claus! I did that just for YOU! Luv ya Brutha...
lol I had to think, what the hell is Steve saying, im an Aussie, we say Husk as in Just, varna dunna about you northern mob ay lol
was waiting for your comment on his pronunciation Hobbymotor. Nice one and good job Steve. You deserve a Guinness.
@@colingraham5812 Thank you Sir :-)
You say your were lucky. Consider the old saying - Luck occurs when preparedness meets opportunity.. Good video!
Yes! Thank you!
Did you give it back?
Worked at Walmart in Lawn and garden once in between oilfield jobs. We sold a lot of lawnmowers in the spring then come fall a bunch of them got returned because they would start or run right. I got the job of trouble shooting them. atleast 90% had clogged airfilters . Cleaned them up and set them out for sale at a reduced price. People do not maintain their equipment , it's crazy. I mow yards now days and most of my customers hire me because they can't keep a mower running . . Leave them out in the weather and never change the air filter or drain gas at the end of the season then they blame the mower for not running. No home training these days ! Fun video , take care Steve !
Interesting!
"When you see hoof prints, think horses not zebras"
Occam's Razor really comes in handy for life's challenges.
...Unless you're living in Africa! 🤣🤣🤣 Cheers, Steve
@@StevenEverett7 Ha, you're right!
As a small engine tech and owner I routinely see machines that homeowners attempt to fix and bring things down in boxes and buckets and sometimes pieces missing. A simple job initially becomes more costly for them Everyone has to know their limitations and when to take it to a shop.The worse is when someone takes a hammer to a shaft end and mushrooms the end and expects to remove a fitted piece.A torch is my best friend daily.Nice deal you got, I commonly get machines donated to me and get sweet deals and amazed like most mechanics on your site with the throw away attitude od some people.
Great video
Thank You...
As a complete novice your videos have been a tremendous help to me. Thanks so much!
You're Welcome...
Simple fix Steve!! He tipped the machine on the wrong side.
Are you going to educate that guy or wait for another new lawn mower from him??
Thanks for the learning you bring to us Steve. So simple when you have enough common sense to find out issue and fix on places like youtube videos. Clean oil, sharp blade, clean air filter, fresh fuel of proper type. Store mower indoors to keep away from elements and critters nesting and chewing with teeth. Spendy mower. I do learn alot from Steve and Teryl and a few others. Good job, lessons to be learned in this video, pay attention folks.
You're Welcome...and Thank You...
I think over filled with oil.. and it's been tipped up
👍Sweet! It’s great when we get a win! My nieghbor gave me his 2 yr old NICE Pres washer because he was frustrated, wouldn’t start. Few weeks later as I finally got around to it….I found the fuel turned in off position! That was all! 😄Explained my findings to him, offered back and he said “Merry Christmas, I already bought a new one” 👍
You got lucky, alright. That's a nice mower and the engine sounded ripe.
Thanks 👍
Love when you put back the old filter on thanks for all you knowledge
I'm a small engine mechanic and I see this alot more then you would think.
Same here! Happens alot!
Shows the importance of tipping lawn mower correctly. Thanks.
You're Welcome...
Be nice to the guy... go and tell him not to tip over his mower. They don't like that.
If only every fix was that easy. Thanks Steve.
Agreed!
Not much surprises me in this throw away society ,,, its sad that things have gotten like this . But at least the guy had a go , and thats better than most. shame he didnt just send it for a service ,,, still a great win for you.
Tom, I was thinking the same thing my friend, at least he tried.
Most folks nowadays don't want to get their hands dirty. Sad.
I am in war with the "programmed obsolescence".
Simple fix...knowledge is key!! Wonder if the original owner will see this video and learn what he did wrong and not do it again!!
Steve, what will you do with it? Here’s an idea: run a competition to find a local kid who needs a summer job mowing lawns and give it away. Put that video up as well. ❤️
Interesting!
I would give away your old mower to a young kid and keep the good one for yourself.
@@CALVINLNIKONT
It depends on what Steve has for a mower. In my case I could get a 2 year old 48” commercial zero turn and it would be the one I got rid of because it wouldn’t compare to what I have now.
Brilliant idea @danburdge @stevessmallenginesaloon a competition for your younger viewers 👏👍👍
The competition should who can get their own freely acquired lawn mower running. If you're gonna be an entrepreneur, start right.
Great job Steve. I find a lot of people are idols. I got a lawn mover the same as you because it would not run. The owner had changed the oil and filled it to full. Took some out and it now runs good.. Enjoy your videos. You are talented.
Thank You...
👍 Can't beat that! Watch Steve's channel save some cash!
Right on Mikey! Thank You...
I was given a mower with the same engine. It had a dirty carb and needed the updated governor spring. It now runs like a champ and cranks first pull every time!
Right on
People today seems to have no "feeling" for engines anymore.
Agreed!
I don't give advice anymore. Once they buy it the can do as they please.
Not everyone has a knowledgeable dad to teach them about engines. If I didn't discover this and other TH-cam channels, I'd never know how to fix these. But these videos at least let me try to fix them!
@@mae2759 So true. This is how I can fix mine Mae.
You're such a character Steve! Wish you were my nextdoor neighbour.
Yeah, until I fire up a blower at 7AM Sunday mornin!
I love free mowers except when someone else has torn them all apart 😅
Good point!
But those are the best ones. Like in Steve’s case, they took a whole lot of stuff off because they had no clue. They just hadn’t looked at the correct part yet, even though they had to remove it to get the carburetor off.
@@ralfie8801 Yeah, I hear ya. It's the putting everything back together that I'm not a fan of especially when parts are missing.
OLD MAN here from EP saying who would have thought eh! We have had the same issue on two occasions when we did a full service but customer did not want to pay for a new filter and pre filter ($11 Cdn) until they saw their mower start first pull with the new filter and would not even start with their old filter installed. Great video and keep tipping them straight back even if it is a beer instead of a mower.
Man are they safety crocks on your feet.. I have a pair of safety sliders lol
LOL!
I am a Honda Engine Master Technician, (45 Years Experience) and this is VERY Common. Nobody reads the Manuals, and Most People don't Maintain their Engines. Old Gas( Over 30 days from the pump) and Dirty Air Filters are the cause of Most Problems.
Good Video Steve ! From a Guy Named Steve!
Thank You...
this guy knew how to take all these motor parts off but didnt know how to check his air filter?? oh my goodness! 😂
Interesting....
I’ve got an identical mower.
Thank you, Sir.
Good choice!
Some people really have no knowledge in any area. and the most shocking is that they reproduce
Lol
And vote!
If they reproduce they have knowledge in one area.
Meanwhile, us smart folks seem to have a hard time finding a quality partner to reproduce with. 😓
@@copisetic1104
Not necessarily, even worms reproduce!
I'd be surprised if you didn't reach back out to this poor guy and work something out with him, such that if you sold it, you'd give him half or something. I feel like I've been watching you long enough to know that you're not all about trying to prosper from other people's ignorance. I've always known you to be a stand-up guy that is trying to help his fellow man... And cheers to you because THAT is what you have always done. Great video, as it teaches all of us some important information. Stay COOL, Steve.
Sell it back to him for $375. And a case of beer.
Awesome!
Air Assault!
I had someone give me Husqvarna walk behind lawn mower within the last 2 weeks because it would crank then shut off.I knew from watching your videos that was most likely clogged carb jet,so I took the mower.It took me maybe 20 minutes to pull the jets(Briggs & Stratton)blow them out, and put it back together. It cranked 1st pull and purrs like a kitten.Very nice mower for free.Thanks for the knowledge!!!!!
Awesome!
SteveO 👋 How do these Golden gems keep falling into your lap!!! Lol 😅😂🤣👍👍AWESOME BROTHER! I'll give ya $100 for it now??? Lol.
I raise the bid to $125 Ha!
@@p71collector $125.01. . .
First thing I saw, even before you said anything was, hmmm that air filter looks mighty dark. Like I've said before, it is amazing the difference clean filters can make for especially small engines! STOCK UP on replacement parts BEFORE you need them people!!! Love your vids Steve!
Right on
That's an expensive machine....You might return it to the owner and just charge him for service..=))
Good point!
At first I thought the same thing but then after thinking about it I think that would just be adding insult to injury. The poor guy already bought a new mower. I don't think I would take this one back to him. It's almost like rubbing it in his face even trying to be nice.
Since it's already been donated, Steve can make more money selling it at a discount than what just the repair cost would be.
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon Yeah. I think if it were me, and since he already bought a new mower, I'd sell it, keep some of the money for my trouble and give him the rest. I've made some dumb mistakes on machinery too
Steve, you should make a video on 2-cycle fuel line, there are a lot of cheep all purpose line for example Tygon, what’s best fuel line to use on equipment? What is going to last? Love your videos keep doing what you doing 👍👍
It's just me but i would have brought it back to the guy, charged him for THE PART and $20 labor and given it back. Money never came easy to me so I Always feel sorry for others,,,but that's just me.
Or at least cut him in for a share of the profits when sold.
He offered it back to him but he'd already replaced it.
Nobody works for $20 an hour anymore in Canada! That’s starvation wages!😀
I’ve had a craftsman mower with a Honda engine for 18 years now,always starts within 2-3 pulls even after sitting for 6-7 months.The last couple of years I’ve left it outside in the winter rains here in Nanaimo. I checked the air filter before starting the first time this year,full of water,carb all gelled up,exhaust also had water coming out. Pulled it all apart,cleaned carb out,new filter,plug,two quick oil changes.checked compression,all good and runs like a top. I’m only gonna run chevron 94 with no ethanol to avoid any kind of crystallization in the carb again. 😎
I think I'd feel kinda guilty, but do what you think is right.
I agreed until he said the guy went out and bought another $750 mower. Until then I thought he was gonna say he took it back to him, but, as I said he bought a new one so...
Yep, you got lucky for sure. Right place, right time!! I never took air filters all that seriously until recently with my own mower. And now your video confirms my suspicions. Thanks!!
You're Welcome...
Since that guy was trying, why didn’t you tell him what you thought was wrong? Did you offer it back to him? Give it to some needy person.
Interesting!
Superb Steve nice easy job unbelievable what people get rid of mowers for .
Agreed!
The one dislike is the guy who lost 750$😂😂
Probably! LOL...
Agree, Steve should just give it back to him
That's a fortunate deal for you Sir. Thank you for the video. I have a question... Can we clean the whole outside of the engine, carburetor, and camshaft and everything else on the outside of our push lawn mower with brake cleaner? I have a used and very dirty push mower, and I removed the plastic housing cover, the plastic fuel tank, the 2nd metal plate housing, the air filter & cover, the spark plug, and the muffler. I covered the spark plug hole and the muffler hole with plastic bag and paper towel so nothing will get in the holes. It has a lot of grime and dirt all over, and I want to clean it all off but I'm not sure if this is something that can be done without damaging it somehow? If this can be done, is there anything else (electrical or other) that I need to cover with plastic to not get it wet and damage it? I wanted to get the advice from someone who knows about these things. Any help is much appreciated.