Hard starting LB 8231 ????

[franchi]

Hi all:

I have a LB 8231 mower that is difficult to start when the mower is cold. It hot starts on the first pull as it should.

Here is what I have done to the engine:

The spark is very hot.

The fuel primer emits a copious amount of fuel when the primer bulb has been pressed.

I have not checked the cold compression with a gauge but it appears to be sufficient.

There are no air leaks in the carb area or engine area.

I assume that the engine seals are good as it starts very well when hot and runs well.

Should I install the air cleaner? I am attempting to run the engine sans the air cleaner. Perhaps the air cleaner is needed to make sure that the priming gasoline charge does not escape from the carb. I have never had to start a LB engine with the filter fitted to the carb.

Any suggestions for getting a quick cold start?

Tia,

Franchi

 

[bertsmobile1]

We did not get Lawn Boys down here as they could not compete with the superior locally made Victa's.
However if this is a two stroke model the there is a better than average chance that the crank case seals are gone.
Poor cold starts with easy hot starts are typical of bad seals

 

[unclelee]

We did not get Lawn Boys down here as they could not compete with the superior locally made Victa's.
However if this is a two stroke model the there is a better than average chance that the crank case seals are gone.
Poor cold starts with easy hot starts are typical of bad seals

I seen a picture of a victa one time....lol...superior to a Lawnboy???? I would hesitate to make such a bold claim. After all, could we compare a Volkswagen to a Rolls Royce??? Lol my 1953 Lawnboy can still mow a nice lawn...and when your grandsons new Victa is in the heap....my Ol 1953 Lawnboy will still mow a nice lawn.
Lee

 

[bertsmobile1]

Don't go back that far but my sister still uses dads 1962 Victa, running perfectly, used at home till he was 80 & went into a nursing home then went to sisters place where it is still the only mower she has.
Still on original bore I do a service most Boxing days when I drop in for Chrissy dinner. ( blades every second year, fuel lines & filter every 10 years)
My oldest one I use daily is a 1973 Power Torque side throw utility , also still on original bore.
Lawn Boys were brought in till around mid 60's but never made volume sales down here.
Really only bought by expat Americans.
To be fair, they got pretty heavy import duty as did everything from non Commonwealth ( Empire ) countries.
So it was no surprise that the US banned the import of just about every Australian made mower we tried to export.
They bring bigish money on the collector market now days so we are most likely importing more used ones now than new ones then.
Thought that line might bait one or two Lawn Boy fans.
Enjoy your mowing.

 

[unclelee]

Good advice on checking the lower seal.
I thought you were trying to work up a lawnboy fan..lol
I don't want to high jack the tread.and get it off subject...but I will say that I have seen some finely restored Victa mowers....I like the wide white wall tires on the older ones.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Actually the wheel is cream with an attached black tyre and red bearing seal ( hub cap if you like ) , very stylish and now very expensive.
Very 1960 & done to highlight that they had gone from a steel wheel to a "space age" plastic one.
Most one this forum seem to be here because they appreciate old mowers.
Back in 1950 Australian designers went to snorkels on mowers because it is on the large a dry & dusty summer.
The old oil bath filters simply became full of mud .
For the same reason Honda never got much of a foot hold either.
A bit like Florida we can get a full foot of grass in a week mid season, then two days latter it is brown & dust dry.