Engine 8237 won't start

Moran73

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Have spark(observed on externally grounded plug),not getting fuel unless I choke it with a rag,new float, carb carefully cleaned. Will run for 5-10 seconds when choked with rag. Had been getting harder and harder to start but after started would run flawlessly for a half hour and even restart. Float bowl full when carb pulled. I've run out of options and would appreciate any help offered. Bob
 

robinb66

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Try checking. Your crankcase for leaks might also check your reeds
 

Moran73

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Thanks - my prime suspect is a plugged exhaust. Now if I could only get that tapered fit collar off to get to the muffler -
 

earthworm

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Until yesterday, my plastic carburetored 8237 would not really start either. If I used ether, she run for 2 to 4 seconds, for the PO, she start and run at full bore, putting some hard hours on the poor old engine.
I "cleaned" the carburetor , but this helped not.
So I went to work on the governor - evidently, this MUST be right in order for starting to occur. Having little idea of what I was doing, I disassembled the governor assembly and reassembled..The settings were pure guesswork !
To my surprise, the LB started right up with one pull and 5 squeezes.
Its running is at 80-90%.
Now I have a holey deck, wobbly wheels , and worn out handle brackets to contend with. This must be one high mileage mower !
And, YES, a clogged exhaust will do in a two-stroke(and any engine for that matter), but poor high end running will also occur as well as hard starting and overheating !
 

Moran73

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Glad yours is running again. On the advice of an old-timer experienced Lawn Boy repairer I decided to go after the exhaust ports. Got the blade and holders off with an impact wrench but could not get the collar with the square platform off. It's apparently a taper fit and you shouldn't use a puller because the plate will bend resulting in a wobbling blade or worse will separate from the collar. Took it to a Lawn Boy shop who told me it was likely to be destroyed on removal and since a new collar is only around $10 I'm awaiting destruction/eventual replacement ( after I clean the exhaust ports). Now my question for you is how do you "adjust" the governor which I always thought was just that blade that stood in the breeze and was just spring-loaded and not adjustable. If the governor was my problem all along I'm ready to have mixed feelings about the fix after my struggle with the blade collar. Bob
 

earthworm

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I believe that the exhaust has to be cleaned every so often.....as part of preventative maintenance.
The 8237 gov. spring tension is adjustable, using the quarter sized ratchet wheel. And I can be done with the machine running.
Read the repair manual as I did...it is helpful.
I think the square hub can be pulled with a special gear puller and a vibrating air hammer..
This is how I disassembled the Saab drive axel...I did it sitting down and holding the joint and I vibrated off the shaft....its a tight fit, but no taper....so I really do not know if this would work.
 

Moran73

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Wasn't much carbon in the exhaust port. I'm looking elsewhere for the culprit.
 
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