Small Engine Issue

[Opie Knievel]

Some of these carbs have a kit that you can buy to rebuild them. Make sure you have all of the numbers from the engine and any numbers that might be on the carb itself. There are so many versions of these little engines. That goes for buying gaskets too.

 

[foxtrot]

Thanks Opi - will do

 

[foxtrot]

Finally got around to working on my generator today, of course it was 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Ha.

I wound up ordering most of the replacement parts from Amazon & picked up the smaller non-specialized items from the local hardware store..

I first removed the shroud that was covering the carburetor and analyzed the situation. My first observation was that the fuel runner (intake) was missing a bolt and that the entire intake/carb assembly was loose. This was the reason the damn engine was running so lean! I probably could have replaced that bolt and that would have fixed things but I figured while I was there.... I replaced all three gaskets, redid carb, fuel line, filter and clamps. After the reassembly, I added a small amount of fuel and it fired right up on the first pull! The thing ran smooth as butter, not a bad result at all for such an old unit!

Thanks for all of the tips!

 

[axisg]

good news ! I am also elbows deep into a B&S from my Toro Personal Pace Mower. I figure I bought it used 10 years ago so the deck will need some attention before it rots out. Still runs great but it will get a carb cleaning at the least

 

[foxtrot]

good news ! I am also elbows deep into a B&S from my Toro Personal Pace Mower. I figure I bought it used 10 years ago so the deck will need some attention before it rots out. Still runs great but it will get a carb cleaning at the least

It's fun and rewarding work - great way to save a few bucks too by getting as many years as possible out of your machines. I work with many guys that scrap their machines in lieu of repairing them! Their loss, my gain - ha. I purchased my troybuilt lawn mower and generator ~10 years ago from guys that I worked with who purchased new machines instead of repairing. Me being a single income household, always looking to save a buck..

 

[axisg]

Story of my life right there. Wife figures I should open a shop like that show "Ricks Restorations" when I retire. I have fixed stuff for years but I have a hard time selling them afterwords because everyone wants new when the old one breaks. Makes for a poor business model.
I am sure my neighbor actually bought a new mower this summer because he couldn't figure out what to do when he lost one of the bolts holding the folding arm of his mower together. Seen him awkwardly mowing his lawn and couldn't help but notice it was only bolted on one side. I offered him my 3gallon bucket of old bolts and he declined in favor of duct taping the arm together. 2 weeks later he had a brand new mower

 

[Opie Knievel]

I am sure my neighbor actually bought a new mower this summer because he couldn't figure out what to do when he lost one of the bolts holding the folding arm of his mower together. Seen him awkwardly mowing his lawn and couldn't help but notice it was only bolted on one side. I offered him my 3gallon bucket of old bolts and he declined in favor of duct taping the arm together. 2 weeks later he had a brand new mower

That's just sad. He would rather spend over $100 on a new lawn mower than to put a bolt in the handle???? I don't understand people like that.

 

[Texas82GP]

I'm so grateful to my dad for teaching me how to do stuff yourself. I'm so glad I'm not a helpless guy that pays someone else to do everything or has to just throw it away and buy another one.

 

[Longroof79]

It's amazing what people discard due to lack of maintenance on their equipment. I have two lawn mowers that were both kicked to the curb, if you will.
One was half taken apart because they were unable to diagnose the problem. It needed a carb rebuild which consisted of a diaphragm, a few gaskets, and a cleaning. I also changed the oil, new plug, and it runs alike a charm.
A few months ago, one of my neighbors was throwing out a Bolens pushmower. It was covered with dirt and grass clippings. I saw it as a challenge. It even had a full tank of gas.
First thing I did was gave it a good cleaning with some Purple cleaner. It looked like brand new. The air filter was clogged with dirt...washed it out, pulled the plug and cleaned that.
It started right up and runs like a champ.
The last time I bought a new mower was over 20 yrs ago. I've since put that one to the curb for someone to take. It was gone within the hour. It still ran too, but was getting tired.

I also found my weed whacker the same way. Bought a carb kit for that, cleaned out the gas tank and lines and it runs fine.

 

[foxtrot]

Story of my life right there. Wife figures I should open a shop like that show "Ricks Restorations" when I retire. I have fixed stuff for years but I have a hard time selling them afterwords because everyone wants new when the old one breaks. Makes for a poor business model.
I am sure my neighbor actually bought a new mower this summer because he couldn't figure out what to do when he lost one of the bolts holding the folding arm of his mower together. Seen him awkwardly mowing his lawn and couldn't help but notice it was only bolted on one side. I offered him my 3gallon bucket of old bolts and he declined in favor of duct taping the arm together. 2 weeks later he had a brand new mower

"Ricks Restorations", could be a great niche business model because while we live in a ' throwaway society' there are still people who like reuse and saving a few quid. Lawn mover story is really sad but I've also seen similar stories..