Tearing down and inspecting a Troy-Bilt Mower Engine that is smoking and knocking.
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Thank you for watching. This free mower was found on the curb and smokes a lot because it's burning oil. In this video, we tear it down to inspect it for damages. The outcome was a bit unexpected.
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Had the same problem with my mowers except they weren't knocking. All i did was do a valve job on them and cleaned the valve seats and they run like new again and they will only smoke if they set for a while. I usually use some diesel fuel as a parts cleaner. I also go to the store and buy some scotch brite pads to clean the valves. Works great
thank you James Hedrick for the tip
I’ve been waiting for this video too. For the sack of your viewers curiosity. Would be interesting to replace the piston, rod and gaskets to see how the engine turns out. I know it’s around a $100, may not be successful but like me and most of us would be very interested to see how the engine performs when going down that route. You must agree it would be a great video idea and good for you channel. Kind Regards from Perth WA 🦘🇦🇺
Oh absolutely Tyrone Clarke. I'm just weighing my options
Troy built mowers are like an entry level mower in my book, toro and Honda are the more premium mowers. Now i gotta ask, have you ever had engines blow up when you ran them, i had a very old 1997 craftsman lawn mower, Briggs n Stratton engine and I believe it was 5 hp. It was okay, but i was mowing, made a loud bang and shut off. The oil was gushing out and their was a nice big hole in the engine wall. And when i tore it apart, the ring on the piston was toasted. Lots of carbon build up. And just not in good condition. And this was a trash find we had found.
Nice to see you save a mower from the trash. No I personally haven't had that happen to me yet
Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!
Glad I could help!
Ah,, the simplicity of the Briggs flathead engine! When 16 yrs old (in 1969!), I replaced a broken connecting rod in a 2.5 hp Briggs for my neighbor. It cost me $5! Oh, how times have changed.
you got that right.
Side note about plastic camshafts. These cams were known for failures as the molded on "cam lobes" will spin freely on the shaft. I m surprised that this one did not fail as I noticed some of the dirty, slugged oil would contribute to excessive friction on the cam lobes causing failure. As you have stated, regular oil changes will prevent engine failure. My 20+ Toro with regular oil changes is proof of longevity. Great video
thank you for sharing your experience with your mower. Good maintenance pays off
Nice video, thank you for your time.
I think it is too late , but it would be interesting to get the engine assembled and measure the compression and all. (just in sake of curiosity)
Thanks again, it is actually nice to watch videos and get more experience without getting your hands oiled :)
thank you Vladimir Maliaev
I have never been so into a lawn mower video :/ seriously I loved it !
thank you I appreciate it.
Just had this one recommended to me. This is where I draw my line. This things so far gone it's definitely not worth fixing. New engine would probably put the whole mower over what you could sell it for and mowers are plentiful. I'm trying this same experiment with buying all the tools and doing a geo metro overbore. I'm figuring out just how hard this is to do the hard way. None of my equipment is good enough and the milling machine I have isn't true at all. Pretty much just gave up until I can do it right to save myself from ruining the bores.
wow nice project, hopefully you can get it going
Slap a new one on there and call it a day even if the engine doesn't match you can still make profit.
You are absolutely right
Mm yes slap like brbr deng
That would be an easy call to fix it because I have a good Briggs Quantum sitting on my bench. Been there for years!
thank you Brian Andrews, I've got a briggs that I'm holding onto as well.
Enlarge the bore of about 4mm in diameter and put a cast iron sleeve. New rings and connecting rod and you are done. Ofc check the price for this kind of job. If selfmade it can be worth it since is simple to make. But consider tolerances and fittings. Depends just on that
thank you Francesco Porpiglia
it is by far the best way to do things as long the casting thickness is sufficient to support the overbore required to install that sleeve,. in the past, I looked to do that but I resigned beacuse i figures that the remaining thicknes of the cylinder wall was nit sufficient to support such an overbore. In the other hand, I had no success boring the cylinder to install an oversize piston, I figure that the cylinder was chemically treated after the honing to give it wear properties. There is another solurion is to have the cylinder bore coated with NIkASIL so it last much longer than the original bore.
That mower died because of lack of oil changes . My neighbor just bough a new craftsman mower and told me there is a sticker that reads never have to change the oil . I told him dont believe that and if you want your investment to last more that 5 years change the oil every season like you have been doing already on your last mower that lasted 15 years . There is no such thing of a magic lawnmower that doesn't need maintenance
You are absolutely correct about that
Those are the new Briggs EXI series motors. Pretty shit design. I find them under powered any ways. Nothing will ever come close to the reliability and simple design of these old Quantums
@@QuaabQueb you're right, the older quantum were great
Great job I really enjoy and appreciate your videos very helpful thank you
Thanks for watching!
It's a toss up with this engine. Some machine shops can bore the blocks and fit a cast iron cylinder liner. You would have more than it's worth in it at that point. Add a rod and piston.... you know the deal. Sell the parts and get a used engine for another project. I really enjoy the videos and you do a precise job of explaining the why's and how's. Thank you for being a knowledgeable presenter.
all very good points
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE thank you. Worked on small engines with my father-in-law for 5 yrs. I do have a bit of practical experience so not just throwing stuff out there. We had engines sleeved many times. Some successfully some not
@@rickeymitchell8620 I really do appreciate the insight. do you know why some of sleeving didn't work?
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE shoddy machining on 2 that I remember. Sleeve was pressed crooked in another. Even if it was assembled the head wouldn't seal. Still why add labor and effort to a bad block.
Hey inside house garage. I will give you a magic bullet treatment. Piston soak with e85. You want to go heavy with it too. fill the cylinder and allow it to go out of the exhaust valves and intake valves, and get into contact with the ports, top of compression chamber, top of piston, rings bottom of crankcase etc... It works really really well. Its mostly about contact time with the solvent so let it soak for like 12-16 hours. The longer the better. Let me know what you think.
I'll let you know.
Wow you were right about what you told me on the last video
I know right
This is where a good used parts hoard pays for itself .
you are absolutely right about that.
Very informative being so thorough so thank you. As for what I'd do, well I'd probably junk it and look for something in better shape. Keep whatever parts are useful to you.
Glad it was helpful and I appreciate your time, rob12449.
If the deck, wheels and transmission are in good shape I'd hold on to it. A trash pick with a good engine but a rusty deck, may come down the road (literally) and presto change-o! With a few bolts and maybe a new blade you'll have an easy flipper.
I've got a plan for this one soon, thank you Bundaberg Bogan
I'm excited for the next video, will you be posting tomorrow? I'll be there. 😀
I'll be posting a video tomorrow. but it won't be about this mower.
Been waiting fr this video
Thanks
I would see what is available and go from there. Trying to find one with electric start could be a challenge.
Advise using a plastic or a rubber mallet on the fly wheel if you’re going to do that so you don’t damage the threads on the thing I’ve done that once and I regretted it
For content purposes and curiosity, I'd try one of the Harbour Freight engines. Just to see how good or bad they are for the money.
Later...
I don't know if you've looked recently but Harbor Freight doesn't sell their lawnmower engines anymore. Only other place near me would be a Northern Tool
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE no I haven't been there in a year or so, since I got my bottom box. Sorry...
Thanks for the follow up. If this was my personal mower, or planning to keep it as a loaner, I probably would re-build. You would be hard pressed to flip it and make a profit with the hours you have in it. How do you value your time?
extremely high, about $30/hr. I have a few ideas for this engine but I don't know if people will agree with me.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE who cares what anyone thinks, except you. Do what you want and see what you might learn. I learn a lot more from my struggles than from my successes. I think I’m having fun. Otherwise it is like a job, and I already have one of them. When it is finished you will have experience so that in the same set of circumstances next time you will take a better decision. I enjoyed you video.
Definitely find a another motor to put on it.
Yes I'm hoping to find one soon.
Man that was an interesting situation you had there. Wow.
I know right
I envy somewheres where you can simply find mowers that the motor is bad but the rest is decent. I've got a ton of used mowers with motors that run...problem is the decks are so rotten its stanced like a honda civic at a car meet.
lol.. nice.
Note H.G it it is very important to always remove head bolts in a cross pattern manner this is important because it keeps both mating surfaces perfectly flat and if taken of incorrectly it may result in a warped mating surface .This rule applies to any thing held down with bolts especially under pressure I always used the cross pattern when taking apart any engine even 2 stroke engines!
thanks for tip, for your information this engine is still in pieces.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Okay thanks for the reply I think that it is just good practice to remove any bolts or nuts in a cross pattern , but excellent work ethic and explanation looking forward to seeing this mower running again
When I watch your videos , honestly I learn a lot so when I am tasked to fix a small engine I use the information contained from your video combined with what I have learned as well and I must say the results are beautiful, thank you H.G
thank you I appreciate your tips, yes I'm still looking into my options for it.
thanks again
love your vids man they are so good you know your stuff
Thank you Hunter McCrea
Mower with rusted frame and good engine = $25. Good engine on your good frame = $150 in the spring time.
you're exactly right!
It’s funny and ironic when people typically complain about these plastic parts. The typical reason they’re inside the engine wasn’t because of them.
sure
That's a Briggs & Stratton engine! Originally came out as the Quantum or L-Head engine. These are some of the most reliable and well built engines out there. Too bad they stopped making them. Especially this last generation with the auto-choke carburetor that did away with that terribly designed primer bulb built in to the air box. All other engines on the market do not measure up to simplicity and reliability of the Briggs Quantum! Troy-Bilt is just a brand name, they are actually an MTD brand just like Cub Cadet.
Thanks for the information
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Quantum is my favorite engine. I prefer the primer bulb version to either the manual choke or auto choke versions. Prime gas hits the carb throat and it will fire. The auto choke sometimes sticks when they age especially when stored under non ideal conditions.
New, because of how unsure the next used engine will be. Sucks cuz I was looking forward to a rebuild.
I know right. it just wasn't in the cards. Although I have thought about doing a budget rebuild. Replace only the rings and hone the cylinder.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE if you can find oversized piston rings and a piston that fits that rod. Just gotta see what's available
@@quacktony you're right
I personally would put a used Quantum on it or just part it out. IMO the mower is not worth putting a new motor on.
this is very true, I just want to make sure I don't throw away a perfectly good deck.
Could go with a new engine to begin with or try the $100 option and see how it works out.
Looking at a spare engine I have laying around.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE yeah just make sure the Crankshaft is the same size length and inch wise and you should be right etc.
@@Patrick4959 you're absolutely right
I would buy a new engine but the choice is yours if you want to buy new or used
Still making my mind up
It’s doing that because it’s a piece of junk those engines don’t typically last the aluminum cylinder bore and cheap Parts cause this type of problem especially because it has a short piston skirt which in turn the piston will rock back-and-forth in the cylinder wall causing scuffing which in turn causes to burn oil and severe piston slap hence the knocking sound
very good explanation of the problem. I appreciate your comment.
I used to work on small engines on my down time and I’d get a lot of mowers that had that problem and they were 1 or 2 years old I told the customer they don’t make things like they used to I’d show them the parts a plastic crank gear and a 90% plastic cam shaft I said it’s All about quantity versus quality it’s sad you pay more for something cheaply made when you used to get a good mower for about 100$
I hope the customer understood how things have changed over the years.
Scrap. It after you put a used engine on it and the two front drive wheels at the minimum you can buy that mower used for $80 to $100
quite possibly, however I already have an engine waiting that was already free, and I plan on rotating the good tires to the front and the bald ones to the back.
All the internal parts it needs new cylinder sleeve or excessive honing new crank rod and piston new rings and needs the valves re-seated / lapping after cleaning them and there seats ..... a decent used engine would be cheaper and less work
yes you are absolutely correct about that.
You can get oversized pistons for that engine depending upon its age as they're obsolete for some of them unless you can find an aftermarket oversized stainless steel coated piston,it all depends upon how much money 💰 you want to spend on it, they're are 0.10" (0.25 millimetre) & 0.20" (0.5 millimetre) oversized pistons available for them on eBay,it depends if you want to bother spending about $200 AUD on new pistons, rings & machining,my 33 year old 3 horsepower Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine (148ccs) which is similar to the one in this video was in a lot better condition when I rebuilt the engine,it was just beginning to burn oil with about 1.13 millimetres (about 0.045") post ring gap which is over Briggs and Strattons 0.8 millimetre (0.032") minimum reject size.
Now the oil consumption is down although it didn't burn as much oil as the engine in the video & it has more power 19 months after I rebuilt the engine !
Thats a bit too much to spend a Lawnmower engine rebuild.
That's only if you would bother,I spent $50 AUD on a rebuild including new piston rings,a crankcase gasket & the bottom crankshaft oil seal - that's it, she's going great now.
I do have an old 1985 model 4 horsepower Briggs engine that I want to restore but,it's Just buggered after having a 2 millimetre (0.080") piston ring gap & there are few other parts which need replacing,it runs a steel sleeve in the cylinder but !
@@RussellBooth1977 nice!
Lots of info; thanks. Still a Troy built so scrap and move on??
Quite possibly. The deck is the best I've seen for this year
I would go with a new engine. The deck appears to be in good shape. It drives me nuts to see things thrown away that still have life in them.
I know right, thanks for your time.
You can buy a brand new quantum for $120 online. Can't say it would be worthwhile unless you're keeping it for yourself.
could you send me a link?
Sorry to hear and see this. Motor was electric start so it was worth saving. Can you swap over the Electric Start components to a non ES motor?
Sure can, the recipient engine just can't be too old
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE
Right On! I’ve never paid too much attention in my own endeavors. I know for a fact that you can’t swap everything over from a Honda since it’s built into the block. The block is actually shaped different 🤬
@@pattayperformance you are absolutely correct
New engine
that's my idea
Is there any hope in having a machine shop sleeve the cylinder? I know that is an option for larger engines and I had one that cost me $16 dollars to have one cylinder sleeved. However that was a few decades ago as well. But that is an option. If you have a donor piston from some other damaged engine, you could have this engine sleeved to fit that piston. That would reduce the total cost. It just depends on how much you are willing to restore this engine. JMHO
I would think the cost has gone up considerably in the last couple of decades. The other thing is the shops around here wouldn't even consider it worth their time.
Was it ran low on oil honestly if it was a mower I was going to keep I would just add Lucas oil and use it till it blows
Thats probably what I should have done
No idea, it’s your called
It's a tough one
Plastic cam shaft wonder how long they thought it would last ? Long enough for you to buy a new one by time it wears out is the answer
As long as the oil is good, for quite some time.
They have to buy new mower. What think about Exmark mower 30 inch
that's a lot of mower to have for residential use. are you considering commercial work with it?
I’m thinking about buying one that’s commercial mower I’m using for residential that someone have 1 3/4 acres
Exmark mower moves fast 4 + miles per hour while you’re walking with it
@@heathwilson2572 I hate to say at almost 2 acres, that's going to take some time at 30".
@@heathwilson2572 I would go with 50 or 60" zero turn.
Did you ever rinse off and determine what the “sand” was that you found in the bottom of the crankcase? I would have put a magnet on it to at least see if it came from the engine itself. If it was actually sand, how do you think it could have gotten into the crankcase?!!! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this video, which shows much more than the usual small engine quick fix. I’d forget about replacement parts that would still result in an engine with issues. I’d try for replacing the engine with a functional used engine.
you are absolutely right, with these engines being so plentiful, it's just easier to just replace it. No, it wasn't sand, and it wasn't metal. I'm still not sure what it was.
Wouldn't have bothered with the engine in that condition. Unless there's some sentimental value to the mower (like it's something a family member passed down to you)...it would have been more cost effective to do an engine swap and call it good.
you are absolutely right Daniel Walker.
You can buy them engines cheaper than you can do about any kinda repair work like that to em. Thier buildin em like wrist watches. When somethin about em goes wrong you throw em away and buy another one
You do know when using the honing tool that you have to put oil on the stones and on the cylinder right?
I use spray lube instead.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE spray lube may have not need enough lubrication. Next time if you can try 2 stroke oil or 10w30.
I'll try thanks
I can see why your engine smokes. It’s got problems.
But my engine just likes to smokes because it bags up grass or weed all day.
I would clean the 12 volt starter on that engine and sell it on Ebay. Then buy a used engine for that mower.
That's a great idea
I know this video is old but what did you end up doing?
I never put I back together. The price for a new block was simply too much in comparison to just getting a used engine. I haven't gotten back to it but I plan to once the season cools off.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE ok well I hope it goes well!
new engine.
Thanks!
I would just get a new engine for it
Do you mean a new or used engine ?
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE probably a used engine, maybe find one for cheap or rob one off a cheap mower
@@Troygehring that's a great idea.
it is easy to fine a good second hand motor for 50$
I think you're right.
Way too much damage...time for a new mower!
you got that right.
Hey, I have a problem with my Husqvarna 360BT blower. The unit I've noticed runs lower at full throttle than it should. I've watched your videos long enough to assume it needs a carburetor adjustment. So this is where my next problem is. I can only see the screw to adjust the idle speed (which I changed). And now I cannot find the adjustment screws for the throttle. I noticed the difference when I was cleaning maple seeds off the grass and I had to basically be right on top to move the debris. If possible, could you make a video on where I can adjust it, or send me a video link? Thanks.
so unfortunately the carb on that blower doesn't have any other adjustments other than idle.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE ok, thats unfortunate. Do you know what might be causing the issue? This thing is less than 1 year old.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE here’s a video of it running
th-cam.com/video/1rnrNxMuxgg/w-d-xo.html
@@Ca31_Buff what kind of fuel do you use? brand and octane rating? what kind of oil do you use?
@@Ca31_Buff thank for the link that really does help out. Have you checked the spark arrestor screen for a partial blockage?
Repower from the parts hoard
you got me backed into a corner here, you are absolutely right tho
Easy find another used engine
my thoughts exactly
used engine swap =P
You got it
It’s a safer bet just to put a new engine on it
you are absolutely right about that.
As long as I put a Briggs engine with the same block, I can move over all the components for the electric start.
All of this part replacement($$) You would be better off buying a new mower.
you are very true.
Replace the engine. No question.
absolutely
Replace the engine
Part it if you can or f8nd a good used engine. Get something out of it for all the work.
possibly, I do have a mower with a bad deck, that would well for this one.
Not worth the time and effort, more's the pity. For the sake of some maintainance it could have been running for years to come. Easy come easy go to some people i guess. A second hand flathead and flip it maybe?
Cheers from Vic, Aus.
Thank you harrothepilot
Yo sup
Hello
You don't know why your engine smokes I'll tell you why it cannot chew it's a joke I'm retired auto mechanic an old man came into the shop he asked me how come his car was smoking I replied calmly don't you know why your car is smoking you told me no I told him because he cannot chew tobacco he laughed he's a very nice customer my aunt came in one day and the car was making a whistling noise so she asked me why is my car whistling I told her because it could not sing it was an old Rambler car ended up having a bad head gasket so I replace the head gasket everyone daycare
Abandon all hope on this engine and slap on a new/ used engine and call that good
the words of a very wise person, yes you're absolutely right
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE that's the most logical option to do.
That engine is scrap, it isn't worth the effort.
Get a used one, with same length cranck and let us see the process of putting it back together
sounds like that's the plan so far.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I'll look forward to see it😁
The reason I said get the right crank length is because i took of a briggs quantum from a klippo mower, wich had knock. I then swapped with another quantum, and did it up, only to realize that the crank was 2-3 cm longer than the original. Damn that was annoying 😅
Engine is too far gone to be saved sadly.
You are absolutely correct
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE What do you do with engines that are too far gone? Such as the connecting rod and block?
@@cdos9186 so far just keep them for later projects
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Happy to hear you are very economical and caring!
Find a used Briggs for it. You can sell some parts if you want. Don’t buy a Chinese engine
Which engines are the Chinese ones?
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I believe the duromax engines are chinese. Harbor freight predator motors are too. I like harbor freight horizontal engines but I don’t know much about their vertical shaft engines. I think there is also an engine called “Wholesale” which I don’t know much about
@@colesteffens5402 okay thanks for the information.
It’s funny and ironic when people typically complain about these plastic parts. The typical reason they’re inside the engine wasn’t because of them.
once again, sure