My Lawn Mower Repair Thread (56k warning)

[Two-Stroke]

In my experience, the dealers are usually over priced on parts. I can get just about anything cheaper online. If you need something ASAP, the dealer is the place to go. If not, get it online.

Check out Mowers4u.com, they have some really good parts prices and shipping is $5.95 per order. Don't just put the part number in their search box, go to "Part Look-up" on the toolbar and put in your model. Or put in the brand and the part number. For whatever reason, the search box on the home page doesn't actually search the whole website and you have to pull up the diagram for your model to find some of the less common parts. I know their website isn't the best, but the parts prices are worth it! :biggrin:

Here's my list of parts sources for a typical push mower with a Briggs Quantum engine:

Primer bulb, air filter gasket, air filter - eBay
Carb kit (#K11-LMR) and float (#75-570) - Mowers4u
Starter rope - eBay
Spark plug - O'Reilly Auto Parts
Most gaskets - I make them myself out of Fel-Pro 3157 gasket material, bought at O'Reilly Auto Parts
Blade - Mowers4u
All Cables - I make them myself
Paint - Home Depot
Wheels - eBay


I can show you how to make engine brake cables and drive cables for about $5 each if you're interested.

Mowers4u.com looks good. I've put it on my Bookmarks for future reference.

Making cables DIY sounds like a great source of saving. I'll bet you could get the price way down if you buy cable in bulk. But how do you make and attach the fittings on the ends of the cable? Soldering?? That process might be a good thread. :thumbsup:

 

[primerbulb120]

I will start a new thread to document the prcess when I've got some spare time. :thumbsup:

I make the cable ends by drilling hole in the ends of nails, sticking the cables in, and crimping them. Then I bend the nails into a "U" shape and hook them up to the mower. Not as easy as soldering, but they're a lot easier to remove. :laughing:

 

[hanyoukimura]

I will start a new thread to document the prcess when I've got some spare time. :thumbsup:

I make the cable ends by drilling hole in the ends of nails, sticking the cables in, and crimping them. Then I bend the nails into a "U" shape and hook them up to the mower. Not as easy as soldering, but they're a lot easier to remove. :laughing:

Looking forward to that thread!

Funny thing is that a lot of times the local dealer's prices are actually on par or better than a lot of the prices I see on line. Not always mind you, but for things like gaskets, primer bulbs, and diaphragms they're quite good. Haven't been there yet this year.

 

[Vervepipes]

I buy from a wide range of hardware stores here, each has a better deal on something. Some parts I buy from Aliexpress, takes time to get here but some prices are super cheap.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Wal Mart actually solid a set of handle bar bolts and plastic knobs for super cheap, but they stopped selling them because reasons. Next best deal is Tractor Supply for those locally.

 

[primerbulb120]

There's a cheap set of handle knobs on eBay: ebay.com/itm/Arnold-490-900-0061-Universal-Mower-Handle-Bolts-with-Knobs-/300951308718?hash=item46121889ae:g:8r4AAOSwwpdW9Fwn

I get my primer bulbs for about $1 each here: ebay.com/itm/5PACK-BRIGGS-STRATTON-LAWN-MOWER-ENGINE-CARBURETOR-PRIMER-BULB-694395-496115-/391166251330?hash=item5b13535142:g:BbcAAOSwpDdVdRSo

Diaphragms and holding gaskets: ebay.com/itm/5-Sets-Carburetor-Diaphragm-Gasket-Kit-for-Briggs-Stratton-495770-795083-5083H-/271925955709?hash=item3f500ccc7d:g:hRoAAOSwLVZVpFOS

 

[hanyoukimura]

Things have been much slower this year than last. By now I would have fixed a dozen or so mower, but I just haven't had the time.


That being said I finished the Murray and I recently not one but five mowers, one of which is a real treat.

First up, the Murray:

The new acquisitions are a Lawn Boy, a Poulan Pro (identical to one I had before), a Self Propelled Craftsman and some small push mower, either a Poulan Weed Eater or Craftsman. All this for only $9!

The Craftsman is likely a mess with some telltale cobbing going on, including a sheet metal screw through one of the shroud mounts.

The silver mower pissed gas out of its rotted fuel line and the deck is cracked at the back left wheel, hence the problem there.

The Poulan I'm not sure but the zone control cable is broken to start.

The Lawn Boy is is a newer model with ReadyStart. Since its in the best shape I fiddled with it first today while dinner was grilling. Unsurprisingly it had bad case.

However the carburetor is otherwise in excellent shape. Cleaned it up and put the carb back on, will clean the tank and try starting it tomorrow.

Also found the chute door was bent on once side.

It's plastic so I've propped something against it to see if it bends and stays back in place.

Finally we come to the main event. Found this for sale on CL for $10. Owner said it was his father's who bought it new then stored it in the basement in the 90's. Said he wanted to give it to a good home.

Its complete, pretty much all original, and in awesome shape especially considering its age. This is my new favorite machine right now and I will most certainly be keeping it. My biggest problem is deciding if I want to restore it or get it running, clean it up, and leave it be otherwise.

 

[primerbulb120]

Things have been much slower this year than last. By now I would have fixed a dozen or so mower, but I just haven't had the time.


That being said I finished the Murray and I recently not one but five mowers, one of which is a real treat.

First up, the Murray:

The new acquisitions are a Lawn Boy, a Poulan Pro (identical to one I had before), a Self Propelled Craftsman and some small push mower, either a Poulan Weed Eater or Craftsman. All this for only $9!

The Craftsman is likely a mess with some telltale cobbing going on, including a sheet metal screw through one of the shroud mounts.

The silver mower pissed gas out of its rotted fuel line and the deck is cracked at the back left wheel, hence the problem there.

The Poulan I'm not sure but the zone control cable is broken to start.

The Lawn Boy is is a newer model with ReadyStart. Since its in the best shape I fiddled with it first today while dinner was grilling. Unsurprisingly it had bad case.

However the carburetor is otherwise in excellent shape. Cleaned it up and put the carb back on, will clean the tank and try starting it tomorrow.

Also found the chute door was bent on once side.

It's plastic so I've propped something against it to see if it bends and stays back in place.

Finally we come to the main event. Found this for sale on CL for $10. Owner said it was his father's who bought it new then stored it in the basement in the 90's. Said he wanted to give it to a good home.

Its complete, pretty much all original, and in awesome shape especially considering its age. This is my new favorite machine right now and I will most certainly be keeping it. My biggest problem is deciding if I want to restore it or get it running, clean it up, and leave it be otherwise.

Wow, that Craftsman is one neat mower! The previous owner sure gave it a good home when he sold it to you! :wink:

 

[hanyoukimura]

Had some time before sunset to work on the Lawn Boy, its up and running now. I love Briggs engines, they're so much less finicky than Tecumsehs.

Depending on plans tomorrow I'd like to reattach the chute door. Seems to be back in shape now.

Yeah they took quite good care of it. The seller claimed the oil and gas had been drained from it when it was put away. The tank is empty, we'll see what the carburetor looks like. There is some milky looking oil in there though. I'd want to take some steel wool to the handlebars and see how much chrome is still on them. Would really do a lot for the aesthetics too.

 

[Vervepipes]

Very nice unusual mower you have there! The Craftsman guide I use says that it was built by Rally/Roper Lawn (American Yard Prod.). It has features on the engine that I havent seen before.