Lawn boy 5236 has trouble starting

[rev20]

I forgot to say that there are two crankshaft seals (#40) -- one on top, one on the bottom.

I'm very curious about how your Lawn Boy got to Kenya. If you talk to a mechanic or parts dealer, could you ask if they were ever imported?

On the metal tag with the model number, is there a city name -- where the mower was made?

Sorry for the late reply. On the plate is written "Outboard Marine Corp. Bruges Belgium". I doubt if they were imported back then, most likely he brought it home with him (he used to tour different countries) from Europe.
A mechanic will be coming to look at it this Thursday, so we'll see how it goes.

 

[Two-Stroke]

Sorry for the late reply. On the plate is written "Outboard Marine Corp. Bruges Belgium". I doubt if they were imported back then, most likely he brought it home with him (he used to tour different countries) from Europe.
A mechanic will be coming to look at it this Thursday, so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for that bit of info. I never knew that LBs were made in Bruges. I've been there a couple of times and it's a beautiful old city.

Please ask the mechanic if he sees many of those.

 

[Phototone]

Power lawnmowers in Kenya are not very common. The only ones I have seen in the stores are what here in the states we would consider entry-level Briggs & Stratton engined ones, selling for about twice the cost (when you convert Kenya shillings to dollars) as they do here. It appears you are missing the shroud on the top, or perhaps you took it off for the photo? I doubt if you have ethanol in Kenya. My wife is from Kenya and I have traveled there several times.

 

[rev20]

Thanks for that bit of info. I never knew that LBs were made in Bruges. I've been there a couple of times and it's a beautiful old city.

Please ask the mechanic if he sees many of those.

Hi there,
I did take the lawn boy to the mech. The problem turned out to be a leaking seal and jammed/stuck rings (that's what he called them). We realized they were stuck coz they weren't moving at all when the blade was turned by hand (with mower upside down and exhaust plate removed). For the seal, there were oil/gasoline drops on the exhaust plate which indicated that it was leaking. The whole thing will take me back close to $100 which is why I have to wait for the end month so I can fix them. :wink:
Concerning these types of mowers in Kenya, the mech had no idea where they came from. He also noted that there are very few around left.
BTW, you seem interested in Kenya, are you from here yourself?

Power lawnmowers in Kenya are not very common. The only ones I have seen in the stores are what here in the states we would consider entry-level Briggs & Stratton engined ones, selling for about twice the cost (when you convert Kenya shillings to dollars) as they do here. It appears you are missing the shroud on the top, or perhaps you took it off for the photo? I doubt if you have ethanol in Kenya. My wife is from Kenya and I have traveled there several times.

Phototone,
Gud to hear you have a Kenyan wife; ask her one day to cook you Ugali (or chapo) and I promise you won't forget that delicacy for years to come!
I had removed the shroud so I could take the picture well. We don't have ethanol in Kenya (last time I came across it was in a lab a decade back); I am using petrol/gasoline mixed with oil in a ratio of 32:1.

Thanks guyz for your help. Hopefully, the Boy will be up and running come next week!!!

 

[Two-Stroke]

...
Concerning these types of mowers in Kenya, the mech had no idea where they came from. He also noted that there are very few around left.
BTW, you seem interested in Kenya, are you from here yourself?


...

No, I'm from the USA but I'm just very curious about how a LB got to Africa. This is the first I've heard of one outside of the US or Canada.

Please let us know how this repair works out.

 

[Phototone]

My Kenyan wife cooks Ugahli quite frequently. This (for those who don't know), is a thick corn meal mush made from white corn meal and water, cooked until thick enough to be held in the hand. It is a staple, and is served with meat and vegetable side dishes, all to be eaten by fingers.

 

[robinb66]

actually i was watching a episode of dr who, the new one and they were in the uk filming and pretty sure i saw one in na background shot, so who knows.

 

[slimbo]

:thumbsup: im gonna have to look for a recipe for that chow

 

[franchi]

Hi:

Your mower is one of my all time favourite mowere! I am still using a 5239 for all of my hand trimming.

I think that you may be over priming te engine when it is cold thus the starting difficulties. Mine take 3 or 4 primes when cold and none when warmed from running.

Glad you got the problem solved. Take good care of that machine and it will last you a very long time!

Stay well,

Franchi

 

[rev20]

Finally got the seal, rings and bearings replaced. After fixing it, the boy started up without any troubles and I managed to mow a good chunk. The only problem I seem to be having at the moment is that the mower has trouble starting when hot. For example, say I am mowing an area with tall grass and it sputters and dies. When I try to restart it, it completely gives up on me and I have to wait until it's cold to start it again.
I have no idea why it's behaving like this. Has someone experienced this before?
Also, it's becoming really hot (like you can't place your hands there) especially underneath the flywheel (either the carb or the thing adjacent to it).
Almost forgot: I should also add that the flywheel seems to brush against the magneto coil on one side.