My Lawn Mower Repair Thread (56k warning)

[hanyoukimura]

A little Goo Gone goes a long way:

I also got the Toro started today using fresh fuel mix to prime it. It did fire up and ran for a few seconds so that's good. Tomorrow or Tuesday I'll empty out the old gas and replace the fuel line and filter. I may have to clean the carburetor too but we'll see.

Today I spent most of my afternoon actually using a lawn mower rather than fixing them though! Ended up using the Honda. Have to say, I really like this mower. It so much quieter than most mowers, the blade clutch is really handy and it bags very well. For a mower that hasn't been serviced at all since I acquired it, it sure does a good job! For now at least I'm going to keep it I think. Maybe next time I'll get to try the Toro though. :smile:

 

[hanyoukimura]

Well I got my first repeat business today. :smile:

I came home to find that one of the first lawnmowers I fixed and sold last year had come back for servicing.

This little guy:

Owner said that at the end of last year the rope had broken (lucky for me the spring hadn't) and he wanted it tuned up.

So instead of working on the Toro I worked on this. As it turns out it had a few problems. The cylinder was full of oil and there was water in the gas. I had to pull teh carburetor off and clean it out. It wasn't too bad, but I did notice something I had missed the first time I had cleaned it. The vent hole was clogged.

(this isn't the actual carburetor)

Also the gasket sealing the air filter/primer element was in poor shape. So I replaced it and cleaned the vent hole and the rest of the carb.

All back together now, and it seems to run better than it did when I sold it, lol. Idles nice and smooth and starts up first pull (used to take 4 pulls). All I need now is to pick up an air filter and finish cleaning the deck.

Service cost: $45. I think he'll be happy with it.

I'll try to snag a couple photos before it leaves tomorrow.

 

[Two-Stroke]

You should get repeat business. You do good work and people appreciate that.

You mentioned quiet mowers in a previous post... the two-cycle Lawn-Boys with the muffler under the deck are not only quiet but the sound make is very smooth and pleasing. It's one of many things I like about those old mowers.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Busy day today.I got an email from a buyer for the Craftsman yesterday. He really wanted the Scotts but it was out of his price range. He asked if I could deliver it and throw in some extra money for gas. A bit of a drive at an hour, not something I normally do, but he seemed nice and the ride was lovely (I love going on drives through small towns and country side, especially in Spring). Right as I was about to go he changed his mind and decided to Spring for the Scotts for $160 (I took $15 off the price).

So I drove it down and we talked for a bit. He had an electric mower prior and I explained to him use and care, washing the deck, using high test gas, using fuel stabilizer (marine not the useless red stuff), especially when storing it, etc. I went over the Scotts mower and hung around while he mowed tall grass in the front yard. It was very pleasing to see my project go to work and work very well. So he loved it, and I enjoyed seeing it go to work, powering through the grass. Hopefully it gives him years of happy service. :smile:

He also had something for me, the electric mower he had been using. He said one day it died and wouldn't work afterwards. It's a Black and Decker CMM1000. Apparently he said it has a recall out, so I might get luck and get it fixed or replaced. Who knows but if that came to be it would be sweet. :biggrin:

While I was down there I got an email about someone interested in the very mower I was originally going to deliver. So this evening he came by and picked that up for $120 and says he'll drop off his old one at some point. I guess he paid like $200 for it last year from someone who fixes mowers, it wouldn't start shortly afterward, and the seller refused to do anything. Unlike that guy, I don't have a problem standing behind products I fix, but I did explain to him that its important to maintain equipment and winterize them.

Finally, I had just enough time to pick up the elusive 497725S air filter front that Yard Man, and a new recoil spring assembly for the Poulan Pro (it snapped the other day when the rope broke). I finished up the Yard Man, although I need to test it tomorrow and make sure it cold starts before letting the customer know its ready. Here's a few quick pics.

So busy and fruitful day overall.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Today I picked this gem up:

Unfortunately it may end up being merely a parts mower. The engine has no compression and the deck's rust is more than surface. If there's only the one small hole I found it may be salvageable, but I dunno.

Still, there's some good parts on it. A set of hub caps, two good wheels, drive components, engine parts, handle bars, cables, bag (although the design is weird), etc.

 

[hanyoukimura]

A mower I sold last year returned for service. He told me that at some point last year it wouldn't start without holding the governor and eventually not at all.

So after my failure with the Toro I decided to have a look at the carburetor...

 

[Parkmower]

Is that gunk buildup from one year? Amazing!

 

[hanyoukimura]

Less than 1 year and the thing is that's not gunk, its rust.

 

[Two-Stroke]

Less than 1 year and the thing is that's not gunk, its rust.

It's amazing to me that people think that it's OK to leave a mower out in the rain.

 

[hanyoukimura]

All of the mowers I have are in the garage, and in the winter my mowers go in the warm basement. :tongue:

Of course I spoil them. They get washed after each use and detailed regularly. Just like my car!