Recent content by g-man57

I'm not sure what the plastic liner is - someone (above) posted that it's a 'splash guard' or baffle. Another person said it could be removed... I don't know. But, if you can get it out, here's a video from a guy who uses 'inventive' ways to clean grungy gas tanks. The tank is at the...

He said temp makes no difference. He's up at his cabin with tons of company. But next week I'll go down there and we'll try to track this thing down. I really appreciate all the comments. The starting fluid got me - but you guys have written a few things that can explain that. Thanks...

My neighbor has a 21" Toro Recycler with a 190 B&S engine. It won't start on any type of grade. Starts fine on level ground - runs/cuts... Does anyone know if that engine would have an in-tank fuel filter - chainsaw style? He towed it up his hill to my place and I gave it a shot of starting...

Open the low speed jet a little... Also, I know that a plugged air filter on a chain saw will cause it to surge or even die. But that's a small 2-stk - don't know if it causes the same problem on a larger 4-stk engine.

'Garden Tractor'. I think of that as a working machine. Something capable of pulling and driving attachments - mower, tiller, brush hog, plow, disk, loader, snow pusher, etc. Small farm equipment. I don't consider 'Lawn Tractors' to be capable of that. Yes, a LT will mow and maybe till...

I'm just a retired guy who likes to pick up non-running mowers cheap and fix, clean, them. I usually end up giving them away. I may charge a little if I need to spend too much on parts. I'm almost 80 now so I took my rear engine Snapper to the local dealer where I bought it. I burned up the...

Sorry, but I didn't read all the posts... But my theory of small engine repair - or any engine repair - is, check the simple things first. You said you did check the fuel venting... But I'd run it with no fuel cap and see if it still dies. It does sound like you're getting a vacuum in the...

I agree with some type of air leak into the carb. I'm going to include a video of surge by a very talented small engine YouTube heavyweight. Just my personal experience... If/when I find a small engine that has been sitting for some time I drain the fuel and then put in a pint or so of...

I have a Snapper RE - 28" with 12.5hp B&S. I bought it at an estate auction about 2012. LIke new back then - the tires still had all the 'hairs' on them from the molds. Came with the plastic grass catcher. No battery in it. I pulled the rope a little to make sure it wasn't stuck and had...

As many above have said, clean cable ends. My theory of small engine work, and I admit, I'm an amateur is to start with the easy stuff first. You could replace all the parts and have the same problem if the battery cables are corroded. Clean battery terminals and cable ends with the battery...

So synthetic fuel is 'not ideal for engines'. But synthetic pre-mix oil is? Did I get that right? Hmmm. As for 10% ethanol, in a small car (I've had Civics and Corollas), I got 10% less mileage with E10 than gasoline. My math tells me that I then burn just as much dyno with E10 as with...

I do use 'manufactured' fuel in small engines that get little use. My Toro/Suzuki 2-stk gets it as I use in only for a small portion of my yard. Pressure washer, small trim mower, chains saw. I don't use the chain saw like I did when I was younger. A friend recently bought a $1700 Stihl. He...

Last week I had a similar problem - on a much smaller scale. I pulled out two mowers from winter storage to clean them and get them started. The first was an older Toro with the Suzuki 2-stk. It's always been a hard starter. This year I put about a quart of 'fuel' (engineered 50:1) in it and...

Maybe get a new, strong, battery? I have multiple items with batteries in them - two mowers, tractor, two boats (2), car, truck, wheeler, etc. I never have to jump any of them. I keep good batteries in them. And, I have a two wire extension cable (Amazon search: SAE Extension Cable 2Pin) on...

I have an older Weedeater mower with a 4.5hp Tecumseh. I know, I know, really old school - but it has an aluminum deck - light as a feather. Just great for trimming. I had a similar problem. My mower would start on either and run okay. But without the either, after priming it would start...