I’m pretty sure a valve job will fix this issue, when you lap the valves and grind material off their faces, they will sit farther down in the valve seats and as a result they will reduce the clearance between the lifter. Also the exact clearance specification on these Tecumsehs are 10 on the intake and 10 on the exhaust.
I have the model 10682 mower with the same valve issue. In addition to that, the transmission just started growling and sometimes barely engages. It might be time for retirement. I'm sad, it's been a great mower. I enjoy your videos...excellent job with tons of details. You helped me troubleshoot mine without the work. I appreciate you.
Man, a lot of you must have more time, money and patience than I do! The deck has been patched, the wheels are worn, the valves are toast, the cam lobes may be rounded, and I’m sure there’s more. This old girl is ready for the parts bin. Run it till it dies and say good night. Another excellent video. Cheers
Reseating the valves until the clearance is in spec would work. I used to race karts with Briggs flathead engines, and I would do this after every race. But I was a teenager, had plenty of time, and this kept me out of trouble. The slight improvement in power was worth the investment in time for racing. Personally, I'd adjust the lash as described above, but I have the tools to do it. If I didn't have the tools, given that it's a mower engine, I'd leave it as is.
If you got rust holes in your mowing deck just keep running it. Keep changing the oil and adjust the value lash. Keep it going for as long as you can. Way better than the brand new lawn mowers my dad always bought lawn boys used for many years from are local small engines repair shop he paid 75 to 100 they always ran awesome I like the lawn boys a lot.
it’d be great to save this engine and the mower. I don’t have any experience working on Tecumseh engine. Getting a used Honda GCV online can be done for about $50 and is the easiest way to get this mower working again for years to come. On the other hand you can get another used mower needing carburetor work for the same money and use the old one for parts. It’s a tuff one! As to saving money my advice is to make a deposit in a bank.
I am fixing up my brother old craftsman lawn mower 6.5 needs a little bit of work but it's worth it to me. It runs but runs a little bit ruff. Definitely clean the carburator or just visual inspection definitely have to change oil I think fix the bars I think they are just loose. My wife and I are getting a house I don't mind fixing things and learning in the process. Like your video very good information.
I was thinking the same thing. Swap engine or nothing. The work involved for the engine work. Would be fine if it was yours, and you really like Lawnboy. You could always swap for a Honda engine. I personally hope to see that mower again.
Can and tappets. Probably worse on the tappets I'm used to seeing valves grow. Perhaps a lapping witn a feeler gauge might help bring those worn tolerances in closer. If you keep the engine, I'd have some fun with it.
I would just use it as is since it still runs fine. But years later if it broke down due to that issue, i would just find a replacement engine to install on (preferably another Tecumseh) My lawn boy mower that had that engine runaway issue when I first got it still runs perfectly fine albeit the transmisson still doesn't work. Lol. I have since installed a fuel shutoff valve on it to close and drain the gas out of the carb when it put it in storage for the winter. Especially cause I heard that carburators on those specific engines go bad fast if you leave old gas in there for too long.
If it was mine, I would attempt to fix it. This ol' Tecumseh lasted this long. They are very durable motors and if fixed will continue to keep on mowing.
Keep using it. It will likely give many more productive seasons of use, I would like to have seen it perform in wet, clumpy grass for a better assessment.
I’d probably try lapping the hell out of the valves until they met the clearance specs. If you have access to a valve grinder that would be quicker but if you use lapping compound and a cordless drill I bet you could get it pretty close (close enough for the compression release to work anyway). Amazing that the handlebar release mechanism on that Insight mower hasn’t crapped out and fallen apart, those mowers and Toro Super Baggers were notorious for handle failures. I’ve fixed a bunch over the years, then when the parts became unavailable I rigged them for people lol!
Can I ask what the cleaning solution is that you use I know that you put it on there before and told us but I have dementia and I'm sorry I just don't remember thank you
It's frustrating when something is "half gone".... if the motor had a bent crankshaft or something, it's an easier call. The deck isn't exactly pristine either. I agree that it's a tough call.
did you happen to check the engine compression? Also when installing a new carb on a not new engine, you might need to adjust the carb to get it to work.
you can buy valve stem shims in various sizes i would measure the distance you need to fill then order the sizes you need have done this a few times on quad bikes with good results
You would be lucky to find a Tecumseh engine with no nocking in it at all, those oil pans are usually very adequate and will last forever as long as there is oil
It IS interesting when we get to thinking alike. When I saw the carb side I knew what the main problem was and at the last knew that we both had hit the same wavelength. I'd run it as long as it'd run, which would knowing how I felt about the engine maker would be years for pure spite and then swap it out for a flathead but the patch on the deck decrees that it'll be like our old 85 Craftsman rider and have more patches than deck. That's when I swapped the old fossil loader man at the crusher with a birthday card for his Sweetie for a good deck. And that old flathead still ran when it left here and I WAS sorry to see it go BUT it was time. Our Buick made it 26 years before it died and my 89 S-10 is still going but the rust is holding hands. So when it's time, it's time and with a motor that's lasted this long I'd rather just set the valves than try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear with a partially new silky sow as in cam and valves and no telling what else after you opened it up. Just ain't worth it to me. A flathead? Yes. Blessings to thee
I d take regular fiberglass insulation, the pink stuff and resin and make patches. All I was trying to do was stop up a hole. Almost had a fiberglass deck before it was over and done!@@HomeGaragechannel
If you do end up fixing it you may as well get the entire rebuild kit for it cause it was low on oil due to the flywheel side crank seal. Also a long video would be a nice change to watch on your channel.
@@HomeGaragechannel i watch 30 to 45 minute videos all the time on other channels of people rebuilding old small flathead engines all the time. I bet a few of your subscribers wouldn't mind watching a video thats a bit more than 11 minutes long. I know i would watch it.
I wish I could do that myself, however I really don't care for long format videos myself. 10 to 15 minutes is my attention span, and 10 to 15 minute videos take about 10 to 15 Hours to produce. So a 30 to 45 minute video would take me over 30 hours to make. With a full time job, that's simply too much time.
That's pretty bizarre. Those valves usually have no clearance and have to be ground not that way. I'd question if someone did a valve job and took off too much. However as it ran I would use it as is and not do anything.
If what I am seeing on the deck is what I think I am seeing, I wouldn’t spend any more time or money on this mower and I would recommend to retire it immediately! Is that large black area on the deck a large fiberglass patch covering over a large rust hole? If so, I am calling that mower done and recommending that your coworker either purchase a new mower, have a look at your selection of used and repaired mowers, or purchase a newer but good condition used mower from someone they trust. Rusted through decks are a “point of no return” for me. I don’t feel that the risk to personal safety is worth continuing to use a mower with a severely compromised deck. Other’s may disagree and say it fine; which is true: everything is always fine until something happens to make thing not fine anymore! Sooner or later, as long as the engine is still running and the blade is still spinning, something is going to happen! When it does, I sincerely hope only this dying mower is the casualty. If it were my mower, I would pull and fix the engine in my spare time for fun, but that “holey” deck is going to “that big scrapyard over yonder”!
How married is this person to this particular mower? Unless it has sentimental value as "dad's hammer", tell them to just continue to use it as-is...while keeping an eye out for a newer--and *non-Tecumseh*--roadside giveaway (or cheap marketplace listing) to begin the next chapter...nothing lasts forever.
I’m pretty sure a valve job will fix this issue, when you lap the valves and grind material off their faces, they will sit farther down in the valve seats and as a result they will reduce the clearance between the lifter. Also the exact clearance specification on these Tecumsehs are 10 on the intake and 10 on the exhaust.
I agree
@HomeGaragechannel do that
I have the model 10682 mower with the same valve issue. In addition to that, the transmission just started growling and sometimes barely engages. It might be time for retirement. I'm sad, it's been a great mower. I enjoy your videos...excellent job with tons of details. You helped me troubleshoot mine without the work. I appreciate you.
I appreciate you watching and yes sometimes there's way too much information and details in them.
I am sorry to hear that, I feel you.
Man, a lot of you must have more time, money and patience than I do! The deck has been patched, the wheels are worn, the valves are toast, the cam lobes may be rounded, and I’m sure there’s more. This old girl is ready for the parts bin. Run it till it dies and say good night.
Another excellent video.
Cheers
I see your point
I remember lawn boy used to be everywhere, but no they’re pretty rare at least in my area also Tecumseh is my favorite kind of engine
yes, 2 stroke stuff is not good for the environment
Reseating the valves until the clearance is in spec would work. I used to race karts with Briggs flathead engines, and I would do this after every race. But I was a teenager, had plenty of time, and this kept me out of trouble. The slight improvement in power was worth the investment in time for racing. Personally, I'd adjust the lash as described above, but I have the tools to do it. If I didn't have the tools, given that it's a mower engine, I'd leave it as is.
I like the way you put it
You got that right about money 🤑 doesn't grow on trees 🎄🎄
Yes Sir!
@@HomeGaragechannel yeah buddy 😎👍
If you got rust holes in your mowing deck just keep running it. Keep changing the oil and adjust the value lash. Keep it going for as long as you can. Way better than the brand new lawn mowers my dad always bought lawn boys used for many years from are local small engines repair shop he paid 75 to 100 they always ran awesome I like the lawn boys a lot.
You are absolutely right about that. I like your perspective
I am a self taught small engine nerd. I take picture or video of everything I work on if I haven't done it before. They are a lifesaver.
you got that right
I've always wondered what is that wire going into the back from the
probably a control wire
After 21 years I gave up my ‘03 Lawnboy SilverPro Duraforce. Got an EGO and have zero regrets. 👍🏻✌🏻
Nice choice
it’d be great to save this engine and the mower. I don’t have any experience working on Tecumseh engine. Getting a used Honda GCV online can be done for about $50 and is the easiest way to get this mower working again for years to come. On the other hand you can get another used mower needing carburetor work for the same money and use the old one for parts. It’s a tuff one! As to saving money my advice is to make a deposit in a bank.
agreed, and I'm still on the look out
I am fixing up my brother old craftsman lawn mower 6.5 needs a little bit of work but it's worth it to me. It runs but runs a little bit ruff. Definitely clean the carburator or just visual inspection definitely have to change oil I think fix the bars I think they are just loose. My wife and I are getting a house I don't mind fixing things and learning in the process. Like your video very good information.
thank you and good luck with the mower and the house. You're getting a great start on things.
Hello home garage I am still watching your vids after all this time since you had 2,000 subs love to watch ur videos and keep up the good videos
Awesome to see you still here and thank you!
Another excellent video, I learn so much watching your content. Thanks!!
thank you!
Interesting issue. Not a common problem I've run into before. Great video. Thanks for posting!
Thanks for watching!
I was thinking the same thing. Swap engine or nothing. The work involved for the engine work. Would be fine if it was yours, and you really like Lawnboy. You could always swap for a Honda engine. I personally hope to see that mower again.
yes that's the plan at the moment and more than likely it'll be back next year.
I guess I just changed motor and be done with it. Thank you for the video and happy new year's
Happy new year!
With the frame as it is so I think it’s time to retire it, he can use it as much as can then replace it.😊
I think you might be right
These old Tecumseh engines are out there for sale. Any engine from the LEV80 to LEV120 from a push mower will work.
thank you for sharing that
Love the Komodo dragon skin graft😂
hey I like the way you described that! Thanks!
Can and tappets. Probably worse on the tappets I'm used to seeing valves grow. Perhaps a lapping witn a feeler gauge might help bring those worn tolerances in closer. If you keep the engine, I'd have some fun with it.
now that's certainly an idea.
I would just use it as is since it still runs fine. But years later if it broke down due to that issue, i would just find a replacement engine to install on (preferably another Tecumseh) My lawn boy mower that had that engine runaway issue when I first got it still runs perfectly fine albeit the transmisson still doesn't work. Lol. I have since installed a fuel shutoff valve on it to close and drain the gas out of the carb when it put it in storage for the winter. Especially cause I heard that carburators on those specific engines go bad fast if you leave old gas in there for too long.
thank you and it might come down to that.
That is a rare one indeed dont see that many tecumseh engine like that unless a ohv engine.
If it was mine, I would attempt to fix it. This ol' Tecumseh lasted this long. They are very durable motors and if fixed will continue to keep on mowing.
well said, that's what I would like to do.
Keep using it. It will likely give many more productive seasons of use, I would like to have seen it perform in wet, clumpy grass for a better assessment.
you are correct that would be a true test for sure
carbon between valve and seat , or between stem and guide ? warped valves ? might retro fit some lash caps , then grind stems down .
I like your idea!
I would just replace it with a Briggs 6.25 engine. They are reliable, easy to work on, and they are everywhere. You can usually get one pretty cheap.
great choice!
I’d probably try lapping the hell out of the valves until they met the clearance specs. If you have access to a valve grinder that would be quicker but if you use lapping compound and a cordless drill I bet you could get it pretty close (close enough for the compression release to work anyway). Amazing that the handlebar release mechanism on that Insight mower hasn’t crapped out and fallen apart, those mowers and Toro Super Baggers were notorious for handle failures. I’ve fixed a bunch over the years, then when the parts became unavailable I rigged them for people lol!
that's a very good idea, and it may come down to it.
I reckon lapping the valves might work or simply replacing the valves.
I think you're right
How do i store a grass trimmer trough the winter?
inside the garage, with no fuel in the tank, or the lines and carb. Others have recommended that the take be full, but it's up to you.
Even if the valves are lapped to sink them deeper, it's obvious that the cam lobes are rounded or the lifters are worn. A donor engine would be ideal.
you are absolutely correct
I thought you'd play taps in the background at the end would have been cool way to go out 🙂 🎺
yes you're right about that idea!
Go with brigs, I never liked techumish. Plus the ease and parts availability for brigs is so easy, and plentiful. Happy Holidays everyone
thank you, that seems to be the consensus
what do you use to clean the mower before spraying it with a hose? seems to work very well
He uses Harbor Freight degreaser
harbor freight degreaser and a paint sprayer
Can I ask what the cleaning solution is that you use I know that you put it on there before and told us but I have dementia and I'm sorry I just don't remember thank you
no problem and my short term memory is getting bad too. I'm using the yellow bottle of degreaser from harbor freight and a paint sprayer to rinse with
It's frustrating when something is "half gone".... if the motor had a bent crankshaft or something, it's an easier call. The deck isn't exactly pristine either. I agree that it's a tough call.
yes it's not often you get a mower with this issue
i just put a new carb on a ryobi bp42 blower and it still wont work
it has fuel spark and compression
i dont get it
did you happen to check the engine compression? Also when installing a new carb on a not new engine, you might need to adjust the carb to get it to work.
yeah im actully about to do that@@HomeGaragechannel
hopefully you get a good reading
you can buy valve stem shims in various sizes i would measure the distance you need to fill then order the sizes you need have done this a few times on quad bikes with good results
really? I'll have to look into it. Thanks!
You would be lucky to find a Tecumseh engine with no nocking in it at all, those oil pans are usually very adequate and will last forever as long as there is oil
I have to agree with you on that
It IS interesting when we get to thinking alike. When I saw the carb side I knew what the main problem was and at the last knew that we both had hit the same wavelength. I'd run it as long as it'd run, which would knowing how I felt about the engine maker would be years for pure spite and then swap it out for a flathead but the patch on the deck decrees that it'll be like our old 85 Craftsman rider and have more patches than deck. That's when I swapped the old fossil loader man at the crusher with a birthday card for his Sweetie for a good deck. And that old flathead still ran when it left here and I WAS sorry to see it go BUT it was time. Our Buick made it 26 years before it died and my 89 S-10 is still going but the rust is holding hands. So when it's time, it's time and with a motor that's lasted this long I'd rather just set the valves than try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear with a partially new silky sow as in cam and valves and no telling what else after you opened it up. Just ain't worth it to me. A flathead? Yes. Blessings to thee
I like the " more patches, than deck" part. And yes you're right, when it's time, it's time.
I
d take regular fiberglass insulation, the pink stuff and resin and make patches. All I was trying to do was stop up a hole. Almost had a fiberglass deck before it was over and done!@@HomeGaragechannel
Was this a Tecumseh or something? I don't remember the last time I saw that style of valve on a push mower.
yes it's a Tecumseh but the briggs flathead is the same design
If you do end up fixing it you may as well get the entire rebuild kit for it cause it was low on oil due to the flywheel side crank seal. Also a long video would be a nice change to watch on your channel.
hey you make a good point
@@HomeGaragechannel i watch 30 to 45 minute videos all the time on other channels of people rebuilding old small flathead engines all the time. I bet a few of your subscribers wouldn't mind watching a video thats a bit more than 11 minutes long. I know i would watch it.
I wish I could do that myself, however I really don't care for long format videos myself. 10 to 15 minutes is my attention span, and 10 to 15 minute videos take about 10 to 15 Hours to produce.
So a 30 to 45 minute video would take me over 30 hours to make. With a full time job, that's simply too much time.
@@HomeGaragechannel yeah i understand. Maybe one day though lol.
yes some day!
a briggs flathead would be nice.
yes it would be
That's pretty bizarre. Those valves usually have no clearance and have to be ground not that way. I'd question if someone did a valve job and took off too much. However as it ran I would use it as is and not do anything.
agreed, I'm hoping they'll be okay to keep using this way, but if it pops, I know what I would do.
Hey bro what's up? If I had to make a decision I think that I would buy a used mower and end my headache for some time.
good choice!
Perhaps lapping the valves might bring the lash in a .
Yep that definitely a great idea.
I would keep using it until I saved enough for a replacement mower.
agreed
is this a tecumseh?
Yes Sir
Motor swap for a Briggs and Stratton
agreed
Run it tell you find a good doner
great idea
For an engine issue just get a harvor frieght engine or better off getting a donor mower for whatever price with a horrible deck just to get a engine.
the harbor freight engine has the wrong size crankshaft and would require a sleeve adaptor to work on this mower.
@@HomeGaragechanneloh another headache when getting a harbor frieght engine.
If this was my mower it would just be sitting in the garage without any fluids just to be on display.
I like this comment. I have thought about covering the entire deck with carbon fiber. Looks neat
If what I am seeing on the deck is what I think I am seeing, I wouldn’t spend any more time or money on this mower and I would recommend to retire it immediately! Is that large black area on the deck a large fiberglass patch covering over a large rust hole? If so, I am calling that mower done and recommending that your coworker either purchase a new mower, have a look at your selection of used and repaired mowers, or purchase a newer but good condition used mower from someone they trust. Rusted through decks are a “point of no return” for me. I don’t feel that the risk to personal safety is worth continuing to use a mower with a severely compromised deck. Other’s may disagree and say it fine; which is true: everything is always fine until something happens to make thing not fine anymore! Sooner or later, as long as the engine is still running and the blade is still spinning, something is going to happen! When it does, I sincerely hope only this dying mower is the casualty. If it were my mower, I would pull and fix the engine in my spare time for fun, but that “holey” deck is going to “that big scrapyard over yonder”!
you make a good point, and the patch is actually carbon fiber
Well there's your problem it's a lawn boy and it's got valves thriw that thing in the dumpster.
thanks
How married is this person to this particular mower? Unless it has sentimental value as "dad's hammer", tell them to just continue to use it as-is...while keeping an eye out for a newer--and *non-Tecumseh*--roadside giveaway (or cheap marketplace listing) to begin the next chapter...nothing lasts forever.
it's only sentimental in that they've had it for 20 plus years. And yes right now, they're going to keep using until it has a bigger issue.
those tecumseh engines are getting harder to find. If you can find a honda that would be alot better
agreed!
Lap the valves
thank you
junk it for parts.
you might be right
Hi mate. Your cleaning fluid works really well. What is the active ingredients. Store bought or home made. Cheers from a land down under 🦘🇦🇺
it's store bought from Harbor Freight, a local tool supply store here in the US. As for the active ingredient, it's sodium metasilicate pentahydrate