10 years after your original post, here I am with the exact same mower and the exact same problem. Great video... it's passed the test of time! Thanks!!
Don, And again your videos are the best. No silly music, straight to the point and mostly, you speak VERY clearly . We appreciate your knowledge and mechanical skills greatly. You always stress sagety wjich is always needed around very dangerous equipment. Please keep you videos coming.
Thanks for the video. I have the same mower in the SP version, same engine. After some serious internet searching, I found the MTD shop manual for it. It recommends 0.003-0.005" for the intake (top) valve, and 0.005-0.007" for the exhaust (bottom) valve. Your videos have really allowed me to educate myself on maintenance and repair of small engine equipment, to the point that I can help out friends and neighbours to keep their equipment in good shape. We all thank you.
Dony, I just wanted to let you know that this video helped me fix a starting problem that I was having with a Honda knockoff engine on my tiller. One of the rocker arms was so loose that it was off to the side. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful videos. While there are a lot of TH-cam contributors for small engine repair I know that I can trust what you say. Thanks again. Blessings to you and your family
I'm so glad that you set valves the same way I have done it for 40 years, all this finding TDC and the screw driver in the plug hole is a big waist of time,. That's one big ATTA boy for doing valve adjustments old school style.
really nice video Don! you always explain things very well, so even the people who don't live in canada or the usa can easily understand you. your videos are great man :)
The adjusting the valve clearance, you do exactly how I do for years. Not by bringing piston in TDC. Some of these cubcadet engine comes without the auto compression release. What a recoil some time!! Long back I injured my hand. Even now I get pain on my under shoulder. The issue with the push rod guide, I pinch a 8mm nut to oval and brace it to the plate. No engine spares are here in Kuwait. It will last till the life of the engine. Not a quality work. But worked.
Thanks!!!! I have this same model of mower and I've been surfing the web, asking repair men, even had it in a repair shop and they never could fix it! After watching your video and 10 minutes I was back in business!! Thanks again!
Great video. Right to the point. Simple and easy to understand. Used technique to set valves on Honda GVX engine. Starts with ease now. Thanks so much.
Your video was a big help! I have a Honda HRZ 216 that wasn't starting. Had good spark and fuel. The valve clearances were way loose. I tightened both to .004 like you did in the video and it purrs like a kitten now! Thanks for posting.
You should add, "Solve Snapback - Not Key" to the title. I searched for a solution to my Cub's snapback forever after I found the key in perfect condition until I started to suspect the valve timing and found your video. I did just as you demonstrated and now it is back to operating perfectly. - Tina's Husband Curtis
Thank you so much for this video. My dad has the same model and he hit something while cutting his law and the engine was doing major kick backs. I replaced the flywheel key and still major kick backs so o followed this video and now it's running smoothly again.
I love the video and how easy it was to do that adjustment on the valves and I probably need to check that on one of my mowers. Thanks for the video tip and I will remember it. I hope you and your family have a nice weekend and it isn't cool there yet. We are still having hot days here in Arkansas where you perspire like we did in July.
Your videos are very helpful and your comments are very helpful also. I think I will start doing some repairs on my lawnmower before the season starts. Thanks for your inspiration.
wow, i didnt know this was the issue with my riding mower,..... the first crank was always really hard to turn over.. works great now tho thx don!! cheers
Dony i repaired a Troy Bilt here a while back with the same engine.It had a blown head gasket.Went to order 1 and discovered that there were none to be found in the States.I searched the internet with no luck in finding 1.Had my local MTD dealer order it and i finally got 3 months later.Customer was calling like everyday,man it was a pain.The only nice thing about it was it came as a kit which included the head gasket,rocker cover gasket,head bolts,and the valve seal.Just a little story i thought i would share with you.Later
dony, I have seen a lot of your videos and they are absolutely fantastic. Are going to get into dirt bikes at all? We need someone like you in the dirt bike world. thanks for your valuable videos.
brilliant, my old honda 214 has been tough to pull over, tried taking the recoil apart a couple of times and it didn't fix it so i think this will solve it hopefully. thanks
Hi Don. Been watching a lot of your older videos. You look a little younger in them 😊. I do like the way you get straight onto to problem with no mucking around. Cheers 🦘🇦🇺
hi, this is one way to adjust the valves, in my latest video I do it the way you mentioned. best to follow the manual's recommendations, if it was too hard to pull then I would go to .004
Another great video Dony ! when i purchase any new mowers , snow blowers or any power equipment the first thing i look at is the engine. I won't buy anything unless it's a trusted brand name like briggs & stratton , kohler etc. it may cost more but in the long run you save money i just don't trust those chineese throw away motors !
very good video! on one of my b/s engines I had to go by the method of ccw rotation + 1/4" down stroke of the piston, adjust both tappets there because there must be some thing slightly touching one of the push rod paddles. now it appears to be ok. talk about hard to start I could pick up the whole mower because of the maladjustment, regards
I don't know if this was mentioned in another video so I apologize for repeating it. The reason he sets the lash in steps and tightens the keeper nut is because the keeper locks the adjuster by pressing it against the stud threads. This make the valve lash smaller than when the nut is loose and he gets a true reading. If you have a lot of lash you can use around an 0.006 feeler and spin the adjuster until snug. Lock the keeper down and check with a 0.004. You should be in the ballpark.
i took a riding mower to a shop for valve adjustments.....it worked great........6 weeks later same thing happens....they said this time it was the camshaft needed replacing......how can you tell when it's the cam......btw.....it was a 9 yr old 15.5 hp Murray i'd bought new and this was the first time i' had ever had an engine issue with it
I have a B&S 22 hp V-Twin. Does the same method - of opening one valve on one cylinder while adjusting the other - the same on the V-Twin as the single cylinder?
I'm working on a mower just got it today and it is over 10 years old and sat all of those years how do you think I should tackle that to get it running
Great video but to all that's watching the stud may turn and you need to tighten the stud before you make any adjustments or you'll never get it set right !
I have a tiller that dam near takes your arm off when you start it already checked the key way that was ok do you think it could be valve adjustment to never has been any work to it bought it new about 10 year's ago thanks for your help. Sam
I find it easier to turn the crank until valve overlap on the compression stroke and then turn one more revolution and adjust both valves. But that is my preference. Dony's way works just as well. :)
Dony - you just gave me a great idea on how to fix a lingering problem on a friend's mower - thanks! Had another question - I have a Honda GX340 motor (horizontal shaft) out of an old pressure washer. Can I run it by itself (nothing attached to the drive shaft) without worrying about it shaking itself to death? Are these motors internally balanced? I know you shouldn't run some engines (like vertical shaft lawn mower engines) without a blade, but can you do this with the Honda GX engines?
Do you have a video of a flywheel key replacement?
here it is th-cam.com/video/FwBMBRk852M/w-d-xo.html
Thank you!
10 years after your original post, here I am with the exact same mower and the exact same problem. Great video... it's passed the test of time! Thanks!!
You're the best small engines guy on TH-cam, hands down.
Thank you for the video. It helps me adjusting my Briggs and Stratton OHV.
Don, And again your videos are the best. No silly music, straight to the point and mostly, you speak VERY clearly . We appreciate your knowledge and mechanical skills greatly. You always stress sagety wjich is always needed around very dangerous equipment. Please keep you videos coming.
Thanks for the video. I have the same mower in the SP version, same engine. After some serious internet searching, I found the MTD shop manual for it. It recommends 0.003-0.005" for the intake (top) valve, and 0.005-0.007" for the exhaust (bottom) valve.
Your videos have really allowed me to educate myself on maintenance and repair of small engine equipment, to the point that I can help out friends and neighbours to keep their equipment in good shape. We all thank you.
Dony, I just wanted to let you know that this video helped me fix a starting problem that I was having with a Honda knockoff engine on my tiller. One of the rocker arms was so loose that it was off to the side.
Thanks so much for all of your wonderful videos. While there are a lot of TH-cam contributors for small engine repair I know that I can trust what you say.
Thanks again. Blessings to you and your family
I'm so glad that you set valves the same way I have done it for 40 years, all this finding TDC and the screw driver in the plug hole is a big waist of time,. That's one big ATTA boy for doing valve adjustments old school style.
I don't have a lawnmower I just find your videos interesting :-)
parts list 1.gauges 2.black rtv silicone tools 1.wrenches
ALSO check for damaged parts. got it thanks for the video! keep doing a great job Dony!
really nice video Don! you always explain things very well, so even the people who don't live in canada or the usa can easily understand you. your videos are great man :)
Nice job Donny. You make it so simple for your viewers.
The adjusting the valve clearance, you do exactly how I do for years. Not by bringing piston in TDC. Some of these cubcadet engine comes without the auto compression release. What a recoil some time!! Long back I injured my hand. Even now I get pain on my under shoulder. The issue with the push rod guide, I pinch a 8mm nut to oval and brace it to the plate. No engine spares are here in Kuwait. It will last till the life of the engine. Not a quality work. But worked.
Thanks!!!! I have this same model of mower and I've been surfing the web, asking repair men, even had it in a repair shop and they never could fix it! After watching your video and 10 minutes I was back in business!! Thanks again!
Great video. Right to the point. Simple and easy to understand. Used technique to set valves on Honda
GVX engine. Starts with ease now. Thanks so much.
Donyboy, You're videos are the best. The detail you give is easy to understand. Thanks for posting these videos.
Great vid. Something that more people should know how to do. But if they want to set them out at the curb I'll keep picking them up.
Well done sir. Detailed and to the point. Thanks!
Your video was a big help! I have a Honda HRZ 216 that wasn't starting. Had good spark and fuel. The valve clearances were way loose. I tightened both to .004 like you did in the video and it purrs like a kitten now! Thanks for posting.
that was the fix for my valves, now my lawnmower is working,and easy to pull over thanks Dony Art in Alberta
Thank you so much for ALL of your videos. Thoroughly enjoy them and learning a lot.
best lawn mower repair channel on tube bar none. auto TU
I just saw your video and you are a MASTER !!!
I did this recently it made a huge difference!
You should add, "Solve Snapback - Not Key" to the title. I searched for a solution to my Cub's snapback forever after I found the key in perfect condition until I started to suspect the valve timing and found your video. I did just as you demonstrated and now it is back to operating perfectly. - Tina's Husband Curtis
Thank you so much for this video. My dad has the same model and he hit something while cutting his law and the engine was doing major kick backs. I replaced the flywheel key and still major kick backs so o followed this video and now it's running smoothly again.
I love the video and how easy it was to do that adjustment on the valves and I probably need to check that on one of my mowers. Thanks for the video tip and I will remember it. I hope you and your family have a nice weekend and it isn't cool there yet. We are still having hot days here in Arkansas where you perspire like we did in July.
thanks man, greetings from Canada!
i have that exact mower and followed ur procedure and i can now start it AND keep my arm intact lol thx again fer another great vid donyboy
I did this on my INTEK V-Twin and it runs nice. Thanks.
Your videos are very helpful and your comments are very helpful also. I think I will start doing some repairs on my lawnmower before the season starts. Thanks for your inspiration.
Nice job and easy to follow guidance. Good close up photography for ease of visual clarity. Thanks for sharing!!
Glad it was helpful!
Another good video, thanks Don
great vid dony u teach me new things on every video u make :)
wow, i didnt know this was the issue with my riding mower,..... the first crank was always really hard to turn over.. works great now tho thx don!! cheers
Super informative. Have a good weekend Don.
Great video! Very clear and easy to follow!
Dony i repaired a Troy Bilt here a while back with the same engine.It had a blown head gasket.Went to order 1 and discovered that there were none to be found in the States.I searched the internet with no luck in finding 1.Had my local MTD dealer order it and i finally got 3 months later.Customer was calling like everyday,man it was a pain.The only nice thing about it was it came as a kit which included the head gasket,rocker cover gasket,head bolts,and the valve seal.Just a little story i thought i would share with you.Later
Nice tutorial Dony. Have a great weekend.
I've learned something new today! Such a great job you do for us all! Thanks as always!
Thanks for the info 👍 I can fix my mower hopefully!
Hello David, your video is among the best I've seen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such an effective way!
Great video Dony! Best I've seen on valve adjustments. Thanks so much!
thanks
have a good weekend pete!
Thank you for another quality video!
Yes thank you
dony, I have seen a lot of your videos and they are absolutely fantastic. Are going to get into dirt bikes at all? We need someone like you in the dirt bike world.
thanks for your valuable videos.
brilliant, my old honda 214 has been tough to pull over, tried taking the recoil apart a couple of times and it didn't fix it so i think this will solve it hopefully. thanks
Thanks Don for an excellent video!
That looks and sounds like a pretty decent engine.
Have a Smashing weekend!
dude absolutely great video!!!!!!!
thanks bear
Great video, Thanks for the Knowledge.
Hi Don. Been watching a lot of your older videos. You look a little younger in them 😊. I do like the way you get straight onto to problem with no mucking around. Cheers 🦘🇦🇺
Thanks for the video, very much appreciated.
hi, this is one way to adjust the valves, in my latest video I do it the way you mentioned. best to follow the manual's recommendations, if it was too hard to pull then I would go to .004
Thamks Don once again , VERY helpful !!
simple the best. thank you very much sr
yes on a lot of them it works perfectly
Your videos are great. Thanks!
really good video mate, thanks muchly
Darn good video man
Another great video Dony ! when i purchase any new mowers , snow blowers or any power equipment the first thing i look at is the engine. I won't buy anything unless it's a trusted brand name like briggs & stratton , kohler etc. it may cost more but in the long run you save money i just don't trust those chineese throw away motors !
Thanks my problem is fixed
very good video! on one of my b/s engines I had to go by the method of ccw rotation + 1/4" down stroke of the piston, adjust both tappets there because there must be some thing slightly touching one of the push rod paddles. now it appears to be ok. talk about hard to start I could pick up the whole mower because of the maladjustment, regards
Thanks man I didn't knew this
I don't know if this was mentioned in another video so I apologize for repeating it. The reason he sets the lash in steps and tightens the keeper nut is because the keeper locks the adjuster by pressing it against the stud threads. This make the valve lash smaller than when the nut is loose and he gets a true reading. If you have a lot of lash you can use around an 0.006 feeler and spin the adjuster until snug. Lock the keeper down and check with a 0.004. You should be in the ballpark.
thanks tom!
thanks for the great video, I learned something new.
AdirondackNY I have a 139cc engine yard machine it's the same kind you fixed but smaller what is the valve adjustment on it
in general yes for most lawnmowers
WOW!
Heh, good! Aunt may's been wanting me to fix those valves for 3 days now
tip to those of you who don't have a set of feeler gauges: Printer paper and post it notes are also .004 thick and make good shims.
thanks man
Great vid as always :)
On my Cub cadet 159cc it's 10 for the intake and 15 for the exhaust I need to check mine.
You should tell the woman to just have her husband mow the yard. Ha! Thanks another good informative tip.
i took a riding mower to a shop for valve adjustments.....it worked great........6 weeks later same thing happens....they said this time it was the camshaft needed replacing......how can you tell when it's the cam......btw.....it was a 9 yr old 15.5 hp Murray i'd bought new and this was the first time i' had ever had an engine issue with it
Thank so much for the video
I have a B&S 22 hp V-Twin. Does the same method - of opening one valve on one cylinder while adjusting the other - the same on the V-Twin as the single cylinder?
Many thanks Don.
I'm working on a mower just got it today and it is over 10 years old and sat all of those years how do you think I should tackle that to get it running
Thanks working good now great 👍
Great video but to all that's watching the stud may turn and you need to tighten the stud before you make any adjustments or you'll never get it set right !
you can, the parts here were a bit oily anyways but good question
thanks
Well I hope your wife gets better and remember to never lose hope.
Nice an though doc , thought you would put it up on the mo-jack table. Best. TU
I have a tiller that dam near takes your arm off when you start it already checked the key way that was ok do you think it could be valve adjustment to never has been any work to it bought it new about 10 year's ago thanks for your help. Sam
Thank you for this, it was very helpful!
Do I have to do this after a fixed period of time?
When measuring the lash do you push the rocker arm down on the rod (right side from our view). Mine pivots on the nut
thanks, I will start mentioning tools required for each video
I find it easier to turn the crank until valve overlap on the compression stroke and then turn one more revolution and adjust both valves. But that is my preference. Dony's way works just as well. :)
yes that is one way I will show in another video
I have done it both ways Dony, I didn't know about the Valve Overlap until I went to school this past year.
Dony - you just gave me a great idea on how to fix a lingering problem on a friend's mower - thanks! Had another question - I have a Honda GX340 motor (horizontal shaft) out of an old pressure washer. Can I run it by itself (nothing attached to the drive shaft) without worrying about it shaking itself to death? Are these motors internally balanced? I know you shouldn't run some engines (like vertical shaft lawn mower engines) without a blade, but can you do this with the Honda GX engines?
gr8 vid, I have never had to adjust one on a mower, but good to know, do you have video on a Flathead briggs quantum engine .
Thanks, I didn't realize that!
you're welcome
Question, if you don't have the aluminum rod to tell which valve is which how do you know which is intake and which exhaust
thanks for asking, she is still very ill and debilitated,
If you take out the spark plug, it will be easier to turn the engine for adjusting gaps and also see the condition of the plug.