How to Fix a Surging Lawn Mower
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2024
- It's intolerable! That racing up and down, surging, hunting...so frustrating! In this video I'll explain to you the reason a lawn mower surges like that, and I'll demonstrate what can be done to fix it and get it running smoothly again. Hope this helps you get more life...and less aggravation...out of your mower! Buck's Small Engine DIY, putting the "Do" into "Do-It-Yourself"
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The thin wire that comes inside a twist tie is great for cleaning out the tiny holes in the emulsion tube.
Welding Tip Cleaner wires work great. A kit is very inexpensive and comes with a dozen different size wire diameters.
When changing guitar strings I save the old ones, clip off about 5", take a pair of needle nose and put a little loop on one end for a grip, works great on mower carbs and camp stoves/lanterns, if you don't play a guitar surely somebody knows a guy that knows....
Literally the best video. Showed the issue discussed issue discussed resolution and showed resolution. Great camera angles. Cut and direct. PLEASE 🙏🏽 keep your videos coming. Other people’s videos suck.
Thank you so much, and you are, of course, correct on all points. BUT....did you get your mower fixed????
I have the Honda 160 in a older mower and for the last few summers has been surging just like at the start of the video. I knew it was the carb, but was afraid to take it apart and break it. Thanks for the step by step - especially the carb disassembly. I have always used premium ethanol free gas to keep it from getting gummed up and fouled. A quick tip on getting it re-assembled is to tip the mower on it's side 90 degrees - I found that way easier and the gasket's did not fall while trying to re-attach the crankcase breather hose and getting the plastic housing into place with the two main bolts.
I have the exact same engine with the exact same problem. This video taught me how to fix it. Thank you.
Thanks for the video! This is the second time I watched and second time I fixed two lawnmowers with your help! I really appreciate you
Thank you so much, Caleb!
Great instructions!!! I followed video step by step and it runs great. I literally was about to buy a new mower right before watching. Thanks so much!!!
Great job doing it yourself!!!
Thanks! I watched several other videos to try to get my mower fixed and yours was definitely the most detailed and thorough, and finally got my mower working correctly (after 3 different tries with the other videos)
Awesome! Now if only you had watched my video first....
This was great! I just picked up this same mower from a neighbor for $125.00 and while it was only used about 8 times 2 years ago, it had this same surging issue most likely due to the fact they left the fuel valve open the entire time. Thanks for the detailed DIY video!
The best video on this particular issue of surging. Thanks for clearly explaing and sharing.
Thank you so much!
Great video. Followed your step by step instruction and now my mower works great. Thank you!
Great job, John!
Saved me, brother. Went from “idk what is wrong” to a $6 bottle of carb cleaner and fixing it within an hour. Appreciate you!!
That's a great report! Good job putting the "Do" into "Do-It-Yourself"!!!
My man!!! Followed your directions to the tee and it runs beautifully!!! Thank you for taking the time to save us big bucks!!!!! Much appreciated sir!! Amazing how something in the carb can be so tiny as to cause this much pain and suffering! lol!
Thanks, Robert. Glad you got your machine back in business.
@@Buckwsr is it also worthwhile just to replace the whole carburetor assembly? Cost of it seems quite cheap under 20 bucks.
Awesome video,exactly what I'm doing right now,kept surging but ,now I know I put two extra gasket ,thanks and stay safe
Thank you this is the only video that has got my mower running strong 💪
Great job, Nehemiah!
best video on this I've seen. Will be taking mine apart shortly.
Outstanding video, keep up the good work...
To prevent your carburetor from getting gummed up, shut off the fuel valve when you are finished mowing, then run the engine until the carburetor is dry and the engine stops. This is especially important at the end of the mowing season. If you leave the carb full all winter, it will be gummed up by spring. To be on the safe side, I always run it dry after every mowing. Some people also use gasoline stabilizer additives, but it's not necessary if you run the carb dry.
Been doing the same many years. only thing is you don't leave it dry too long & by too long i mean after sitting dry for a few months or a season you"ll need to get fuel going through again.
I always use Ethanol free gas as well. Doesn't gum up while sitting
I mix in seafoam in all my gas containers and never had a fuel related issue.
I always run the mower dry at the end of the cutting season.
My lawn is under 1,000sf so my 2 gallon gas container lasts me many months, on top have having no snow and not needing to run the snow blower. My lawn mower started right up 1st pull this weekend using gas I got last summer. I credit the gas still being good to the seafoam I put in it.
I have learned Buck that if you work on enough of those Honda carburetors , you'll learn how to clean them and get them to running . The hardest part for me for putting everything back in line where they would run .🤣😂 And there video's out that will take you step by step , and that's helped me in those hard times 🤣😂Thanks for the video 👍
Thanks for doing this video. My Honda mower was doing this today after I left fuel tap open for two weeks, presumably fuel has been evaporating for two weeks gumming stuff up... Now I know what to do.
Hey man!! I really appreciate the video! It 100% helped the step by step and up close video helped immensely
Thanks, Ben!
Take a picture of the linkage connections prior to removal to ensure proper reassembly. You’ll be glad you did
Thanks for this video. I fixed my mower! I had to take the carb off and clean it two times but it worked great.
Great job, Gregg! Awesome!
Thanks so much for this video. You saved us some bucks!!!👍👍👍
Thank you for doing this video. Very clear instructions and I know this is going to fix my mower. I’m pretty good with car engines but never have gotten into small engine repair. I figured something was clogged just didn’t know what and how to get to it. Thanks again!
Thank you for this, I appreciate it !
I emptied the gas and added seafoam to some fresh fuel and let it run for a few minutes. Got it working like champ.
This worked for me immediately. Great clear instructions!
That's great! Thank you so much.
Thank for the video.helped me fix mine.
what a great video, and i'm sure it's exactly what my Honda mower needs. will get to it soon. thanks!!
From the bottom of my heart BIG thank you your way , I follow every single step and my mower is up and running like it supposed to
Senor Asesino, your comment has made my day! Great job on fixing it yourself!
Thanks for the video. Worked perfect after watching it mower runs great now
Fabulous! I also just did this same carburetor cleaning to a Honda mower yesterday. Now runs great. Thanks for the note!
Thanks for sharing your experience, I fixed mine your way.
Awesome! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I keep a welders' tip cleaning wire set in my box just for this purpose. Nice stiff multiple sized wires with a little knurling towards the end provides some good scrubbing action on the harder gunk.
I gave you a like and follow for you great advice. I just fixed my Honda this afternoon doing exactly as you explained, and so clearly. Thanks a lot.
Thank you, TJ. Your note made my day!
THANK YOU MR. BUCK!!
Thank You for making this video and sharing it. Just fixed mine today following your video and wow....all ready to get back to the grind. THANK YOU AGAIN!!
Good morning from Canada. I just got my Honda lawnmower serviced, it had the same issued. I left a little bit of gas sitting all winter, until last week I try to re-start it. But no a go, I ended up paying $90 for carb cleaning and rebuilt. Now it's back to life 👍
Thanks, Ed. Next time you'll save $90 by doing it yourself!
Thanks for sharing. Very useful for me to tackle the same problem with my toro mower 😅
Thank you. I just did this and the mower runs great.
Great job, John!
Thank you. I will try this weekend
Thanks. I just turbocharged my push mower and it fixed it
Great Video! Problem solved and ready for summer mow-fest. Thank you - Appreciate it.
Ah yes, the summer mow-fest! Have fun!
The first time I took the carb off I had to bring it to a shop for reassembly! Not my idea but I purchased two M6 bolts a little longer than the stock ones and cut the head off of each leaving a stud. Upon reassembly, thread the cut off bolts into the block and "hang" the related parts on the studs in the correct order (in to out). When you have it all together, unscrew one stud at a time and replace with the stock bolts. Tighten and you are done; no muss, no fuss.
You were very helpful. Thanks
Thanks, Robert.
I just bought a new one off Amazon. $20 works perfect now
Yeah yeah yeah..not a mechanic by any means..watched this video because my lawnmower was doing this..same mower btw..u explained it perfectly..I did everything you did and in like 15 mins. was mowing again..so glad I found an ez diy video like this instead of pay someone..kinda feel dumb cause it was so simple..thank you for the help
Thanks, Bud. Glad you got your machine running good again!
Did this with the exact same mower with little help when warmed up. Changed the NGK plug and runs like it should.
Nice job clear precise thank you for the insight
Thanks, Kyle.
I use a bread tie wire for the really small holes. I have the same engine on my Troy bilt mower and it runs great, one of the best engines I've had.
Yes, Hondas are very reliable, most of the time.
GREAT VID
Excellent video! The chickens are quite entertaining 😁
Thanks. Viewers either love those chickens, or hate them....
My Honda mower is surging after 1-2min. I will try this. Thank you sir.
Right. It runs fine for a minute or two while the choke plate is closed, but as the choke plate opens, you're getting too much air and not enough fuel. I hope a good carb cleaning fixes this for you. Good luck!
Very good video!
Thanks for taking the time to put together, what's the green attachment on the mower?
Nice! Thanks for sharing this informatin/video!!
Great video, thank you so much!
Thank you.
LOVE the ROSTER
My comment would echo others on here. I have the exact motor. It was so easy to follow your video. Thanks!
Thanks, Wynn.
Just fixed another one of those Hondas last Saturday. Main jet was sealed up with ethanol residue. You should add a good inline fuel filter on those. Plenty of room.
Great videp, very helpful
Dude, fishing line or a small wired bread tie works great for clearing holes.
I have a Craftsman lawn mower actin the same way. I assumed there was a problem with the governor or the governor spring. Now I know what to actually check. I'll let you know if it fixes my problem. Thanks
Right. A surging engine is almost always due to sucking too much air or not enough fuel. Clean out that carburetor main jet, and you should be good to go!
Thank you !!!! Perfect
My friend has a Honda engine in her push mower too. Ive rebuilt it 4 times now. The last time I pulled everything, fuel tank to carb, to stop the surging. It helps for a while, then starts doing it again. After last time I told her we're getting a new carb.
I took the carb off and stripped it down to zero part's, cleaned it and put it on. Worked fine for about an hour, then started it again. Insane.
I'm either missing something in cleaning it and the obstruction comes back,,not sure. But, like urs, it ran beautiful after each cleaning for about an hour sometimes longer, then started surging again. You're right, these carbs have no adjustment s, no internal gaskets, diaphragms,etc. Very easy to clean. And works great, for about an hour when first started after cleaning but its crazy that it still surges. I've fixed many mowers by rebuilding the carbs, never had this issue. Thanks, hope urs stayed fixed.
Another trick you can try is to get some tiny micro drill bits and drill open the main jet one tiny size bigger. I've done this one successfully with a Honda engine. It simply needs to get more fuel. There are videos on YT out there to show how to do this. Good luck.
@@Buckwsr The thing that i wonder is, the machine ran perfect for so many years,, I'm assuming. With the jet size as is. You'd think just making it,,,, factory?, Again, would make it original, again. Strange. Ive never had a Honda mower engine before, but have cleaned Brigg's and other's and they work fine. For 20 bucks u can get a carb, filter, plug, fuel lines etc. I'm gonna go that route . Drilling the jet, seems sketchy. Though ur right, it's been done. What sucks is, I clean the carb, runs great. I drop it off, she uses it 1 day works great next day , surge's again. 🤪. Another thing I found is the filter is, in the fuel line,,, inside. Thats new to me. Thanks
@@peterford9369 try changing out the fuel filter yet?
@@UserUser14880 Yeah, when i did it last time I pulled the tank, found out the fuel filter is in the hose and just put a new hose on with in tank filter. Ran great for me to mow about 20 minutes. I took it to the owner, she said it ran great for about 2 hours and started surging again.
@@jameschuke4104 Thanks. About ready to give up. Every time I bring it home, work on it for a couple of hours ,runs fine. Take it to her, runs great for a couple of hours, then messed up again. 😱
Frustrating, cause when I fix my stuff, works for a long,long time. I don't know what she does to it. Cause I do it for free. Aggravating. Thanks.
Thanks for video. Followed along until you got to the jet and cleaning the various holes. I don’t seem to have that piece in my carb. Is that possible with a Honda troybilt 160cc?
I cleaned the rest and still surging…
What would it be if you cleaned the carb and it continues
I have a Honda powered lawnmower that I have run for over 15 years. Its stored every winter and starts up readily every spring. I use non-ethanol premium gasoline and at the end of the season I add a few ounces of automatic transmission fluid and then run the tank dry. The ATF protects the jets and passages as the remaining fuel evaporates over the winter. The following season I add fresh gas and then drain a few ounces of fuel out of the bowl drain to get rid of any old fuel and the ATF. Starts right up, every time.
I've heard of using non-ethanol gas...if you can get it...but the Transmission fluid is a new one for me! Good job taking care of your equipment!
Can an air cleaner not installed correctly cause the sputtering? I bought a machine on Facebook and changed the carb and plug but it still sputters some. The air cleaner cover is screwed on only. Seems to need to be replaced..already in the mail though. Thanks for the video!
So I had the same problem did exactly that even before I caught your video and still surges after I warmed it up so I bought a new carburetor put that one in and it surges.😢
Thanks!
Super tutorial about how to deal with a surging mower engine! Buck's a great teacher for us DIYs
Thank you so very much, Brian!
Mine starts right away and run for about a minute and all of the sudden the RPM and engine speed just rocket up and running so loud where I had to shut it down otherwise, I’ll blow up. Can you advice what to adjust? I have the same exact governors arm and the lower spring.
Recommend CLEANING the engine prior to opening her up. That block is filthy. It's also in your engine manual as a YEARLY maintenance item. Clean the bock and cooling fins YEARLY. All mowers require this as they are AIR COOLED.
Need video on changing fuel filter inside gas tanks
Thanks! Be careful you don't drop the needle when you take the float out.
You could try opening the fuel mixture screw half or maybe one turn, just fixed a 1960s mower with the same problem.
Most carburetors today have no adjustment. I'm sure your 1960 mower does, however.
I would add to that if the choke plate is not fully open after warming up you'll have surging and stalling. The little wax operated auto choke plunger device may be failing or linkage problem.
As it's a Japanese motor, I would suspect that screw on the carb was JIS not Phillip as you said. With the right screwdriver you might have found it easier to undo.
I bought similar lawnmower TB490 brand new from box and it was surging from first start
Haven't had this problem for years. I switched to non Ethinol gas years ago for everything I own. Now more crumbling fuel lines on weed eaters as well.
Having the same problem when it cranks up but stupid question to the pros but is white lithium grease okay to use if I don’t have any carb cleaner?
Grease is not a good option. Carb cleaner is easily available at walmart or any auto parts store. You could also use brake parts cleaner, maybe even mineral spirits (paint thinner).
It looks like to make it easier to reassemble, you could insert a non threaded pin in the bolt holes, put everyhing in place, then replace the pins one at the time while holding it all in place.
Good tip, thanks.
Quick question would a little bit of fuel injector help clean it ?
To fix it right you've got to use some kind of pick or wire to physically clean the small jet. Carburetor cleaner itself....or any other solvent...will not alone adequately remove the hardened varnish built up on the sides of the jet that restrict the flow of fuel. You've got to do some scraping or rubbing, in addition to the carb cleaner, to properly remove it.
Sounds like the bowl may be loose - tighten up the 10mm on the bottom and it will tighten the carb and it won't be pulling in air from around the fuel bowl. Had to do it on my Honda Today - I also had a fuel lock too.
You didn't show carb reassembly.
As a kid, we rarely, if ever, had trouble with Briggs and Stratton engines, but Hondas seem to have a lot of carburetor issues. Are they junk or is ethanol a real problem?
Hello, thank you for a awesome video. I followed it to a T! Started my TB240 up and it ran great for about a minute then it started the surging again. It ha a new plug and filter. Do you have any other suggestions on what the problem is? Thank you so much for your time and help! I do appreciate it.
Youve got to physically scrape with some kind of tool that main jet, which is the first thing to come out when you use a screwdriver to remove the jet. Carb spray is not enough to break down the hardened varnish on that jet. Scrape it with some kind of wire, pick, needle, guitar string, bread tie wire, something hard and pointy to really ream out that jet and clean the hardened varnish. I don't think I made that point very strongly in the video. But I would try that. After the first minute, when your automatic choke opened up, it started surging again as it was getting too much air and not enough fuel. Some people use micro drill bits to open up that jet a little bit. I've done that too. But most people don't have micro bit. Good luck.
@@Buckwsr thank you so much for your time and help. I will repeat the steps again. Have a great day.
@Buckwsr I took it apart again and the only thing I did differently was I used a small drill bit on the low speed jet with my fingers and Berryman B12 and spent a few minutes spinning the bit around and cleaning it out. I didn't want to reclean everything at once so I could figure out what if anything worked. I put it back together and it runs like it's brand new! I was so happy I put new wheels on the front because they looked like slicks. Thank you again so much! I greatly appreciate it. Thanks to you my mower is running great!
That is great news! Good job!
Since I have zero aptitude for this stuff how much should I expect someone to charge me to clean out the carburetors in my mowers? I have 8 mowers and only one of them working right now. The guy I go to charges me 100 bucks to clean the carburetors but then I get the mowers back and they are still not working properly.
thanks so much! i wasnt able to find any other videos like this.
so i put it all back together and fired it up and it worked fine as i tested it for about 5 minutes and then i turned it off so i could go get some water and actually mow the lawn and when i came back it took a few pulls to get it started. my mower is only a year old and its never taken more than one pull. even after it sat in the garage for 4 months.
but once i got it started it ran and performed fine.
but then i turned it off to walk thru the garage to mow the back yard and had trouble starting it again.
is that a coincidence ? or did i mess something up when i reassembled it?
im not sure what i should do to address the situation
Sounds a bit odd. I wonder if you got the choke linkages correct when you re-assembled....?
Would it make sense to run it dry before opening it to clean, so there's no gas in the "bowl" to drip out? Or is there some reason to avoid that? Thanks!
The Hondas usually have a fuel shut off valve, so close the valve, and than have a rag handy to catch the remaining fuel in the bowl that will spill out when you take it down. It's no big deal.
All that to mow a patch of weeds?? Haha but seriously thank you, this video was perfect to fix my issue!
Thanks, Jack!
I did this yesterday but the lawnmower idling high and the gas leaked all out of the engine y
Man I have cleaned my carb thoroughly and still have surge..maybe I have to do it again..I've even replaced my auto choke ad diaphragm.
Use a wire, guitar sting, fine pick, metal bread twist tie, or something to physically clean the small hole of the main jet. Carb cleaner alone, or other solvent, is not enough to remove the hardened varnish built up on that jet which impedes the flow of fuel. You've got to physically clean it.
My new Honda mower used only a few times, did the same thing the following spring. I was told even under warranty if they determined it was a fuel issue, and of course they would, repair would not be covered. I have seen multiple comments from multiple 'experts' suggesting, during the off season, leaving it full of fuel and an equal number suggesting leaving it dry. Back in the day, my now long gone dad never had such an issue. That was before the government got involved in saving us from ourselves by tinkering with the gas.
My first step in solving my immediate need was to install a less than $10 carburetor for my 10+ year old Sears mower with its B&S engine that wouldn't start after my last use. It had been sitting uncovered outside in the elements for a few years waiting for me to dispose of it, but I didn't think $10 was much of a risk as that was far less expensive to paying for the Honda fix. After all that time and even with a cheap knock-off carburetor the B&S ran like a champ. Wanting to try the Honda again the next mowing, I thoroughly inspected the operation of the surging Honda and noticed the throttle linkage moving in sync with the surging. What the heck, I'm too ignorant not to try something, so I put a screw clamp on the throttle linkage, experimenting with the position of the clamp to make sure it wasn't revving too high and finished the summer using it because it was newer - blade, features, etc.
Interestingly, I have an old Honda Accord inherited by my wife and rarely driven and it has the same surging. However, my Camaro the same age and about the same usage, never failed to fire the first time every time. Honda may be the largest and best engine manufacturer in the world, but it appears to me they are as high maintenance as a beautiful woman. With much the same starry eyed appeal.
In the coming days this year, I plan to follow the step by step instructions on my Honda in this well done video which I have saved in my ‘permanent record’ folder. 😉 🙂
The problem with your Honda mower is two-fold: First, EPA regulations require the manufacturer to design the carburetors to run very lean, and usually without any adjustments. Second, fuel formulated with ethanol will gum up and restrict the small holes and passages through which the fuel needs to flow. The result is that your engine surges constantly and runs poorly. You can either replace the carburetor....and sometimes those cheap aftermarket carburetor work just fine, sometimes not....or you have to clean all those tiny holes and passages thoroughly so as to restore full fuel flow through the carburetor. Some people like to take micro-drill bits and open up that main jet a bit on those Honda carburetors. Most people however don't own micro drill bits. Also, the throttle linkage connects to the governor arm on the engine, allowing the engine to open the throttle for more power when under load. Using a clamp to hold the throttle open is probably not your best fix in this situation. Thanks for the great note, and good luck!
@@Buckwsr Definitely on all points. This was my second full viewing and more to come as undertake the task. Thanks for the great info. 👍👍
Ok so my Toro recycler has new carb ( everything attached properly ) , new gas line , new filter g=housing and new coil. Was running good , surging a bit to start and leveled out to cut half the lawn before the drive control wire snapped. Fixed the wire with a bicycle brake cable and started up the beast to have a racing engine well above normal. So anyone out there know what other cure there is?
Kewl 🤟 thanks it worked
you know that there is a fuel filter in the fuel line from the gas tank to the fuel on off switch take the line off the tank and you will see it sticking out of the line.
thank your chickens for my headache.
Oh, I'm sure that surging up and down of your lawn mower was the real cause of the headache....
I have exactly the same carb on my Honda. Couple of questions. Are the small screws in the carb adjustable or are they just fixed down tight? Thanks.
There are no adjustments on this carburetor. And that's why it surges....emissions regulations have it set too lean from the factory, with no adjustments, so that you and I don't destroy the planet....
@@Buckwsr Ok that's jake. Help much appreciated.
I’m just a girl who doesn’t feel like she’d be able to get it back together if I take it apart. Is there something I can buy to add to the fuel that might have clean it without taking it apart?
Fuel additives are usually considered to be a means to preventing carburetor problems, but if your engine is already surging I'm afraid you'll have no choice but to clean out that carburetor, and specifically, use a sharp pointed instrument to clean that main jet. Carb cleaner alone won't do it. Use a paper clip, pin, guitar string, awl, or something hard and pointy to clean that main jet. That's your best bet to getting this running nicely again.
I don't understand why there isn't an inline fuel filter on these mowers. Gummed up or dirty carburetor seems to be a common theme
Just use 100% gasoline, i.e., rec fuel. If you can’t afford that, fill the gas can with C phone and the tank on the mower with seafoam and start it and let it run. Many times that cleans up the varnish.
But great video. I basically have to do this almost every time in the winter season when I use my snowblower. Thank you!
So you're saying a cell phone in my gas tank should solve it? I will definitely try that next time. Thank you.
@@Buckwsr Seafoam. Just noticed that. Hope you weren’t being an a-hole.
@@MikeyB_1972 I knew what you meant...just couldn't resist being a wise guy....
I knew you had to have meant Sea Foam, because there aren't any cell phones small enough to go into that gas tank! 🤣