Recent content by Auto Doc's

Snow blowers don't do well with rocks; it likely bent the auger/rotor. You need a visual inspection to see what is going on. Stay away from any moving parts. Machines don't feel pain, humans do.

Removed the air cleaner and backing to see the actual choke plate. You may have to pull the entire upper fan shroud off. The linkage rod that operated the choke may have popped out of the clip at the bottom or top. Take a couple of pictures from about a foot away when you get it apart.

Was the throttle cable takes off of this at some point?

That is my point to the OP.

Hello A., Keep in mind that paint often darkens with age, so a getting perfect match will be tricky.

https://www.hustlerturf.com/parts-lookup

You need to provide us with the engine model and type number information that is stamped into the rocker cover on the engine. Techs don't like to play guesses off of minimal information.

I had a similar problem with a Kohler recently and I had to measure the air cleaner and searched on eBay to finally find a match.

Hi Scrubcadet10, Check out James Condon and his generator repair videos online. He tackles some pretty interesting carburetor surge problems.

Hi Fred, Take the fuel line off the mower and look through the fuel line with it stretched out straight. If you can see through it, that is good. These junk pencil style filters are often shoved into the fuel line end or in the fuel outlet nipple of the tank. I usually discard them or punch...

Hi StarTech, I get parts cost plus 30% in cash for evaluation before I will conduct any repairs. If they refuse to agree with that, I will not allow them to leave it with me while they make up their mind. One or two thought I was crazy but eventually came around after they had gotten burned...

Hi S., Sadly, some people cannot comprehend simple instruction these days, or much more beyond simple breathing. Don't worry though, soon everyone will have battery operated mowers that will simply activate when the grass gets 3 inches tall. Camera sensors will control it, and people can...

Hello M., Welcome to the forum. No one has a crystal ball to see exactly what mower you have. Honda has made thousands of different push mowers over the years. Do you have the Model and series number? Engine number information? You have a fuel issue, but that is just a guess. Likely the fuel...

Hello H., I would say you took a wise approach to avoiding removing the fuel bowl. People often forget about the top plate access on these dual throat Nikki carburetors. If you do have to pull the carburetor off later and open the bowl, make sure you have a good rebuild seal kit. These...

Hello T., Glad to hear you are making positive gains on this project. I have also found many times that verifying all settings prove to be a good thing. I keep My Generac generator (same engine, just not a mower) connected to my house inlet adapter on my back deck and run it once or twice a...

Get the correct carburetor for the application. There is no "rigging" the new one to work.

Hello Oz, The first mistake is ordering from Amazon. They are a worldwide warehouse dumping ground. You are better off going to Parts Tree or Jack's small engine. Saving a few dollars and free shipping is not worth the aggravation.

Hello D., This mower model shows to be made from 1990-1993. We would need the product label information to confirm. These B&S engines require a combination of functions to shut the motor down as quickly as possible. The ignition switch has to short/ground out both coils and also cut power to...

You should be at idle when shutting down.

Hello F., The first thing that comes to mind is the fuel shutoff solenoid is not working or has a bad connection. It is located on the bottom of the carburetor fuel bowl. What engine does this have? If it is a Briggs and Stratton, we need the numbers that are stamped into the top of the valve...

It was just a simple question and not an attack on your character. I'm always open to learning new things.

Where do you get your information from? Is there any industry verified and credible sources you base this claim on?

Hello T., You already have another posting for this same machine. Why a new posting? That creates confusion for the folks trying to help you. Please try to show continuity by only having one posting per machine you need help with. On to the reply.... A homemade solvent mix I have used for...

This is a rear bagger model. https://www.hondalawnparts.com/oemparts/l/hpe/5c0f08e087a86612d83732e8/hrx217k6-hya-parts

Hello L., Your problem favors a progressive fuel starvation. Everything from the tank fitting to the carburetor is suspect. The fuel lines and line fittings will trap debris and starve the engine for fuel. 90-degree line fittings are the worst about this. Lines are often taken for granted to...

Hello N., I have been servicing my equipment at the beginning of the cutting season for many years. It also provides an opportune time to address any little problems and correct them before they become big ones.

Hi StarTech, Maybe AI will be introduced on this site like so many others. Then the OPs can read a laundry list of wild (A) guesses based on an algorithm instead of working knowledge. Face it, we are in a time where regurgitated garbage and misinformation are considered fact.

Hi L., Put them on eBay.

Thanks for the info woodstover. Is that all of Canada now? I've been told there were different areas that were 50Hz. I'm down here in deep South Texas and I don't visit other parts of the world like a use to.

Hello T., I suggest you remove the deck and then get the frontend high up in the air so you can observe the pedal linkage and shifter operations. There is likely excess debris that is affecting the proper movement of the components.

Yep, I had to tell a customer recently to quit flipping his push mower over to sharpen the blade because that old break-in sludge would kill his engine. He would not listen to reason, so it cost him an engine in one season of mowing.

Just to clarify, both valves are set to .004" now? If so, that should be sufficient.

It's in the manufacturers playbook to only sell new equipment and bury the repair information under a vail of secrecy and confusion. Only the "authorized dealers" are allowed access to the "top secret" repair information. When I worked as a service manager at the local John Deere dealer, we...

Hi V., I've seen pictures but never seen one being used. I think they were a short-lived option that did not take off with the public. A company call Massimo make a universal snow blower for ATVs and UTVs, so that might be an option to look into.

You can buy the kit on eBay and they are not hard to install if you follow the instructions. The dealer was socking it to you on the labor plus the parts markup.

New engines from the factory already have assembly oil coating all of the internal engine parts before the crankcase is initially filled. To me it is not necessary to put oil in a cylinder that will likely disrupt the spark plug from firing. Proper oil level and changes from day one is the...

Hi StarTech and TSM, I'm glad we have a few experienced folks on this site like yourselves. I am also grateful that y'all are bringing up some of the very points concerning a surging problem aside from tinkering with a governor. This past season, I have had to pull several engines and open the...

Hello J., We need the product label information off the machine along with the engine product label information. Problems like this are what make the Technical Service Manual worth the investment. Everything else is just guessing and people spit balling armchair theory and telling "once upon a...

Hello Folks, The first thing people think when they see a governor arm moving back and forth on an engine with a surging problem is the governor needs to be adjusted. Wrong! It's not the governor causing this problem. The governor is only reacting to a carburetor problem. For some odd reason...

Hi Rivets, I seldom see Tecumseh in my area, but I have dealt with a few small B&S models with replaceable seats. Usually when I get those, they are salvage or yard sale finds that have been sitting for years with old gas in them.

Plexiglass is not stabile and usually not true "flat" level. You need a perfectly solid flat surface has possible to get the head truly flat on the gasket mating surface. Amazon just sells the gasket; they don't make them. I have not had any problems using them though. I advise you to get a...

Hello H., I only mentioned that I suspect them. I base this on the lower quality control standards usually associated with cheap parts.

Hello M., I think the difference in climate matters a lot. I'm down here in deep South Texas and fuel stabilizers are just not as effective. I trust Sta-Bil through the few months of cooler weather that we do get, but not any longer than that. Much of the time we are in the mid 90's to 105...

Hello H., I know auto shops will cut oil filters open has part of a diagnostic step, but I have never seen anyone bother with cutting open a small engine one. I suspect that many "white box" generic oil filters have been the death of many engines. In a majority of cases, I have even seen new...

Hello MParr, AI is no friend of mine. It is like a clueless infant child trying to direct people's lives based on a mix of mostly garbage inputs it has gathered. It is a data farming program and only gathers what appears to be the most popular opinions, then it reasons that they must be...

Hello M., StarTech found what you need to make this work. For some reason I was thinking these did not need a regulator.

The one design I forgot to mention is the carburetors with the Viton seat insert that has to be pressed in. I have not found a good way to clean them, and they are a pain to work with if a new seat has to be installed. Most of the ones I have come across have the needle stuck badly from old...

Need a better picture of the head. You can carefully get the left-over material off the head with a razor blade. After that you need to resurface the gasket face of the head using a true flat surface like a tempered glass table and 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Scrub the head gently across the...

Any progress on this?

Hello Folks, Carburetor cleaning can be a chore, but sometimes it takes more than just good carburetor cleaning and a round in the ultrasonic bath. I try to save what carburetors I can to avoid aftermarket copycat versions. For those that hate Nikki carburetors, I will simply say don't open...

Hello M., Most common problem is a wrong, worn or stretched belt. Also, they pullies will wear a groove in them after many years, and a new belt will not grip properly. I don't recommend modifying any pullies. Replace only.

Hello M., Hands off of the governor. The governor only has one job and that is to keep the engine from exceeding high RPM and blowing itself apart. Simple test: Use a spray bottle with water and start them engine. Let it run for a minute, then spray each exhaust pipe to see which one burns...

Hello S., Amazon has B&S replacement, but they are proud of them. They also have lower cost ones, but I do not know the quality. The main thing about these bushing is to grease them regularly...

Hi sgkent, Don't take it personally. Many who visit this site are only looking for the immediate "fix" to their dilemma, not a correct or permanent one. Some of the suggestions make me laugh, but I don't take them personal.

Hello S., In 50 years of dealing with and equipment or automobiles, I have never seen extended oil changes also mean extended engine life. So yes, this does equate to a sales tactic to make customers think they are saving money by extending (putting off) needed oil service maintenance. I even...

Hello B., Remove the air cleaner and operate the governor rod on top by hand. Watch the plastic lever end for hitting or hanging on the left side (looking at the carburetor inlet opening end). B&S had a shop bulletin on this a while back for this carburetor design.

Hello G., Welcome to the forum. We need all the product label information of the machine to be able to help you with anything other than wild guesses. The old days of simple problems have long passed.

I recommend you remove the ignition coil and clean everything really well with brake cleaner. Once clean, look for signs of cracking in the casting. This is oil creeping from somewhere such as a crack, or casting porosity pinholes. It may also help to apply shop air pressure through the plug...

Hello S., I think the last 2 on your list have a slightly better filtering media inside. Yes, some of it is marketing, but I give the OE manufacturer benefit of the doubt because they have a higher quality control standard than the aftermarket. B&S makes their own oil filters You would have...

Hi StarTech, Both a good general purpose aluminum welding wire.

Hello B., You didn't give much information to go on with your posting I take it you are referring to a Champion Mountfield rider. From the sound of it, this engine has destroyed itself internally. Usually, the crank pulley is held on by a recessed Allen head set screw.

I have a friend who worked for Walmart as a floor planning manager. Every inch of space that has potential to sell an item is utilized. If items fall out of popularity with one store, they will ship them off to other locations to keep them selling. People have to understand that Walmart...

Hello M, Welcome to the forum. 48V is intimidating to many folks unless they deal with golf carts often enough to understand them. These electric riders are still a very new experience for many of us. I work on a lot of different equipment, and the same principles of electrical diagnostics...

Shop manager says, "we fixed the noise" Non-inquisitive owner say "okay" and simply leaves with the machine. They probably ask everyone there except the shop cat. And the cat is the one who ate the rat hiding under the panels. LOL

One of these should do the trick: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Flexible-Four-Claw-Grabber-Tool-for-Retrieving-Small-Items-in-Tight-Spaces/17808321637?classType=VARIANT

Hello C.G., Thanks for the video. Teryl Fixes All and Chickanic also made some similar videos. I have had the best results with Ethanol Shield and Star Tron in recent years. I use it in customers generators and for winterizing their other equipment. They have given me nothing but great...

I understand. Do you have any grandkids that are mechanically inclined? Is there a reputable independent repair shop or hobby mechanic in your area? I have no use for dealer shops because all they typically have are guys for new equipment setup. Or they have people with no actual practical...

Hello S., Your Aftermarket carburetor is creating most of the poor running issues. Just because it fits does not mean it works correctly. Aftermarket carburetors are a crap shoot. Secondly, the governor has nothing to do with the engine surge. The governor has only one job and that is to...

What are the numbers on the engine. I recommend removing the cylinder head. You need to make sure you install the appropriate length insert to match the plug used in the engine. Here is a good video...

Hi Rivets, If it like the one I have, the chassis model and serial numbers are hidden behind the rear deck flap where the bagger attaches. (Toro hid them) "B", The engine should have the stamped numbers in the valve cover, or they will be laser etched on the side of the block (opposite side...

Pull the upper fan shroud, then operate the stop/go lever while watching the bracket at the flywheel brake where the cable attaches to it. The shut off switch is there also. After years of use, the cable stretches slightly, and the cable retainer tends to give a little bit. All of this will...

From the looks of the pulley, the belt got stuck from rust and "glued" itself to the pulley. This is not unusual in high humidity conditions or with a machine that sits out in the weather a lot.

Hello A., On rare occasions I have found the counterweight anchor bolt broken and parts laying in the sump. That means there is damage to the journals the weight rides on. Best you can do is open it up and verify the damage. In my opinion it will cost more to fix it than buying another engine.

Hello C., Broken rings and it needs a replacement engine. L head engines do not act the same as an OHV engine.

Hello R, Welcome to the blog. We need the number information stamped in the valve cover. If problems are with the rider itself, we would need the product label information. Your description is a classic sign that the valves are out of adjustment after breaking wear. The repeated straining...

Hi StarTech, Heck! When did the battle ever stop? I've seen a lot of equipment run hard and abused by owners who bragged about how good their oil is. What they are really saying is they "got away with it" because the machine has not blown up yet. Oil technology has come a long in the past 40...

Hello C., Welcome to the forum. Whenever you post about a machine you are working on, we need the product label information off the machine. Usually, it is under the seat or on the seat base. For anything engine related, we would need the numbers off of the engine itself. The engines are...

Hi L., Most fuel related running problems start with the fuel tank. The carburetor cannot do its job if it is not getting good fuel flow I suggest you remove and empty the fuel tank, then remove fuel line fitting to clean it and the fine screen on it really well and inspect the tank for rust.

That is usually the way they sound before the rod breaks and ventilates the engine block. These Courage engines were a failure waiting to happen. He might want to consider repowering it with a V-twin Command engine or look for another rider.

I would try a new plug. Often times a plug will show fire in the open air but not work under cylinder compression pressure.

This is a private label build with the CAT paint and labels on it. RATO engines mostly show to be European built, but like a contact Chinese clone engine like many others.

Hi Scrubcadet10,

Maybe an Amazon or previous DIY repair attempt strikes again scenario. Gasket is correct but housing mount area is wrong. The example that StarTech provided is what should be on this.

https://diagramweb.net/img/john-deere-lx188-wiring-diagram-8.png

The diagram shows a dash marked box around the interlock module, that usually means there is more wiring to this interlock module than the diagram shows. Has the 15A fuse been checked? Do you have a basic test light and a multimeter?

There is not a vast difference that would cause an issue in the hydro system. It only gets critical when it comes to the use in a diesel engine, especially in colder climates.

Sorry, if you expected perfection, you were duped. These mowers are built in mass production with little attention to details. Aside from that, who really runs a race to cut their grass and get it done correctly?

One thing is for certain; they are choking off the air flow to the bowl vent from the sound of the situation. I have run into this a couple of times with engine swap situations where parts were mixed up in the process.

I agree, Parker motors are not the issue, that is why I suspect an additive has been put in the oil and likely being continually added.

Hi L., These days (and for the past 20+ years), machines are manufactured to minimum specifications to save money. That means they are keeping figures on what will make it just past the expected warranty period before the manufacturer is no longer liable. It is not a matter of oil changes in...

Thanks Ibrahim.

A product known as POR-15 is great, but the surfaces have to be cleaned and lightly sanded for the best results.

Hello chuckpen, Being that some "landscaper" DIY has been trying to "work" on it. Be careful to check the oil in the system. Too many people think that adding a little brake fluid or power steering stop leak to the hydraulic motor oil will swell the seals and stop leaks. All it does is keep...

Hello T., This has to be about the shortest post that I have seen yet. What have you checked anything? Do you know how to test anything? StarTech provided a diagram. Let us know what you find

A couple of pictures would be helpful. Lots of parts are no longer available for this engine through a couple of parts sources checked.

Hello L., That hole is supposed to get filtered air if it has the correct air filter. Your parts picture is the wrong one according to parts tree: https://www.partstree.com/parts/briggs-stratton-692579/ The air cleaner housing should have a matching hole to the carburetor. The carburetor has...

Hi Forest#2, I use a similar method with the steel farm tractor fuel tanks except in a larger scale and I use 4-inch short pieces of various sized chains as tumbler material. Regardless of tank size, the rattle and shake by hand method gets old really fast. It is much easier to strap them to a...

Hi Rivets, The only thing that comes to mind is verify it has the correct heat range spark plug. 2-stroke engines are very critical about the plug part number. Just because it threads in and the engine runs, does not mean it is the correct heat range. I've learned this lesson a few times, but...

Hello Ozcub, You pose some interesting questions. I take the dash to mean from 10 "to" 30 viscosity, ranging from cold to hot. Lake Speed Jr. has a site called the Oil Geek and I am sure you can find much more in-depth answers about oils there. https://www.youtube.com/@themotoroilgeek

Hello C. I don't buy the story either. Did the engine lock up? I suggest the engine low pressure switch is what shut it down, that's why they have one. The shop needs to put the new oil cooler lines on it, fill it with oil and verify the condition from there. I am not afraid to say that...

Hi Rivets, According to the engine numbers this is a two stroke and an "odd bird". I think they were a collaboration build with Komatsu back then. I recommend you remove the muffler and see if it is heavy from coking up. I see that quite a bit on many two stroke engines, especially if people...

Hello C., If you are tight of funds, only replace the obvious bad parts. Otherwise.... "Never seen anyone get half a haircut". (A phrase an old tech used when I was a just starting out many years ago) I recommend any/all bearings that have been exposed and used the way these have been...

Hi Slomo, SAE has outlasted its usefulness in modern engines. If you are in a cold climate, 10W 30 is the better choice. The manuals that state SAE 30 were printed 50 years ago when that oil was used in practically everything. My 1963 JD 3010 calls for SAE 30, but I refuse to use it when...

Hello C., Sounds like a bad bearing #8 in the part view https://www.partstree.com/models/21199-toro-30-timemaster-walk-behind-mower-sn-400000000-402081999/rear-wheel-height-of-cut-assembly-3/

That tells me he is not going to invest in anything worth having. Oh well.

Hello C., I agree with you, a good heart to heart talk is needed. What is the overall condition of the rest of this mower? I'm afraid if this engine continues to be ran, you will truly witness firsthand the meaning of "exploded view". A good used engine might be an economical solution instead...

Hello Hello C., Kohler manuals online are pretty easy to find. Don't wild guess this job without printed repair data. This sounds like an engine that has been run until it just would not run anymore. That is not a good thing. The dry connecting rods likely shut it down, then it cooled down...

Hello H., "W" rated oils mean better flow characteristics below 32 degrees F. and improves lubrication to very cold parts. Take 10W-30 oil as an example: When the oil is cold it acts as a 10-weight oil, it's thin and flows quickly. Has is warms up its viscosity gradually transforms to a...

Hello D., We need the numbers off of the engine fan cover or side of the block to reference what engine you have. Some parts for Tecumseh are becoming hard to find. Most starters can be repaired if the bushings are not worn out. An aftermarket starter may be available. Once again, you will need...

Hello R., The fuel pump should suction fuel out of any clean container using a separate hose. It does not require a lot of fresh fuel or a whole separate tank. If there was a chance of water initially, the carburetor will need to be cleaned and blow out the main jet. Fuel cannot get past even a...

Most hydrostatic transmissions I work with take 20W50 oil. Maybe this link will help: https://www.partstree.com/models/71283-17-44-hxle-toro-lawn-tractor-sn-240000001-240999999-2004/

Hello T., These old cast iron engines were easy to rebuild as well. They were a minimal design with only a couple of crank seals and gaskets. You might consider a light cylinder honing and putting a new piston kit or at least a set of rings in this Tecumseh.

Hello R., Time to back track from the tank to the carburetor and test for a blockage. Can you disconnect the fuel line from the pump to the carburetor, and it pumps fuel when you crank the engine? It should have a steady flow while cranking. If it is not, then you have a line sucking in air...

Hello C., Micro corrosion creeps into connectors over time and usually it is a matter of disconnecting and reconnecting the terminals to scrub to new metal and reestablish proper contact. This sounds like what happened. A product known as DeoxIt D5 works wonders to prevent future problems. Do...

Hello T., The HM100 is a 10HP rated engine, but an 8HP would still do the job on a log splitter. These were heavy cast iron blocks and held up very well for a lot of years. A lot of this depends on matching the crankshaft dimensions. Length, diameter and with or without a taper on the output...

Hi Mike, Get the product label information of the factory label or plate, then go to parts tree and look up the parts diagrams. The exploded view of the parts can tell you a lot about how it is assembled.

Hello S., Synthetic is an improvement because it reduces both fluid friction and heat that are associated with conventional oils. As for if it will use more oil, that is yet to be determined on a 31-year-old machine. I suspect it may actually use less oil. On a side note: I hope you have kept...

Hello GMM, They quit making a repair connector with the diode on the red wire for this style stator a few years ago. I would not go through the expense of replacing that style stator because it was not meant for an electric PTO application. You have a "leaking"/open diode on the red stator...

Hello T., So, now it's a no start? Or is a no cranking condition?

What are you describing as "bypassed"? Like I mentioned, I cut the plunger tip off of the solenoid on mine.

Hello H., You forgot to them give them a "lifetime warranty" and beg them to take it off your hands. LOL. Trying to sell used equipment has become a real challenge these days. I take cash only, no check and no credit cards. Sales have been slow, but I tend to be strict about asking potential...

Hello T., This likely has a bad pulse diaphragm in the side or parts were not put back correctly. Here is an aftermarket carburetor that is compatible...

Hello Fixer, Welcome to the forum. Not all models had an "official" voltage regulator. Briggs and Stratton used several different charging system configurations. We need the rider product label information, and the engine valve cover stamped number or label information to be able to...

Hello R., The fuel shutoff solenoid (anti-backfire valve) can be connected either way. It is individually insulated internally. One problem that is common is the shutoff solenoid can go bad, or they are bad right out of the box on replacement carburetors. Personally, on my own equipment, I...

Here is an aftermarket kit I found: According to the instructions, the heat shield part number is 24 265 09-S...

Is this engine on a machine, or is it a project you are building? The engine side of the harness is very limited to only a few wires and usually connects to a gang plug for the machine it is installed on. Pick one that is correct...

Hi Star Tech, I've only seen a few that even had the update change. I think the heat shields were the most important factor. I made some templates of a set years ago and only ended up making 1 set of the heat shields. I'm not even sure what happened to my templates.

Hello L., 545 hrs. and about 12 seasons of use. I think you discovered the "lifetime" limit of that particular engine. I see similar models around here that seldom survive over 350 hrs. It is mostly due to lots of sand and poor customer maintenance habits. I recently had a fairly new Cub Cadet...

Hello T. Is this blue smoke from the exhaust or is it coming from the engine valve covers at the bottom and going onto the exhaust pipes? Kohler had a valve cover upgrade kit that included heat shields and replacement covers. I'm not sure they still have them available. If it is only from the...

Hello J., Thanks for the resolution and closure. We see way too many disappear, because they actually fixed them, or got frustrated and gave up.

Hello P., You should have continued with your previous thread/posting where you left off that you going to order a new carburetor. At last count, you are dealing with 1 machine and have at least 3 separate thread/postings. It creates confusion. These assorted choke levers basically pull...

I don't think it was a scam but rather trying to save more misery and put you on a known working machine that he had for sale. I frequently buy, refurbish and sell a few mowers when I can. Others are just parted out because they are beyond economic repair. I let customers test mow and let...

Hello RevB, Gasoline aircraft engines do have the same operating principles as automotive and small engines. The big difference is that most automotive engines from the early 70's to present use an EGR system and/or specialized computer timing and fuel injection controls to prevent excess in...

Hello RevB, You are correct. Generac just builds the generator heads and only some of their own engines. The carburetors are outsourced from other companies such a Nikki.... Nikki builds the OE carburetors to match engine CFM calculations and basic engine displacements. Most of the time, the...