Recent content by Tiger Small Engine

Life is really good, if the only issue is “thumb pads” needing replacement on a Honda self-propelled mower. I mean really good.

If it is a Nikki carburetor, more prone to have needle and seat and tiny o-ring problems, therefore leading to fuel getting into cylinder and mixing with engine oil. I hate Nikki carburetors.

Other possibilities: Battery is weak and on the way out. Voltage drop due to corrosion and bad electrical connections. Starter is borderline and on the way out.

Armor All won’t help that much. If you are storing the mower outside and the sun is beating down on it all day, the tires will suffer long term, as a result.

Yep, I change bushings to bearings also. These are reasonably priced, easy to install, seems to hold up, and better than a bushing any day.

Never heard of that Kohler model number (double check if correct). What made you use a multimeter to check ignition coils? Did you take them off of mower to check? Did you pull kill wires or spark plug boots to coils and plugs to see if any change in power? Sounds more like choke on...

On a 40 year old 3 horsepower engine, I am sure there is crankshaft play…

Sears Parts Direct-only one order from them and it was terrible. No communication, part took forever, just lousy.

Take the carburetor off and inspect it. See if you can free up the choke so it is fully opening and closing before buying a cheap Chinese carburetor.

The maintenance on a gas mower really isn’t a pain. What is painful is replacement cost of batteries in equipment after say 3 years. What is painful is people throwing out 3 year old equipment because the batteries cost too much. I could go on, but that will work for now.

Are the cops going to arrest a person for using an internal combustion engine? You act like you are happy about it.

Hunting and surging indicates lean condition. Either you have an air leak around carburetor intake, or carburetor is still dirty (most likely). Definitely drain old fuel and blow out tank, may have a little water in fuel, old fuel, debris.

Start by numbering the relays with a pen, then pulling them and swapping them around until the mower starts. If you have one that is bad, replace.

If an engine refuses to start (regardless of brand, etc.), one of the first things you can check is the spark plug. Is it wet, dry, condition, gap. Then put a little gas into the spark plug hole and put plug back in and see if it fires.

Potentially yes you damaged the transaxle. Always put hydro pump or hydro transaxle in bypass to push or tow.