Electric! LOL. Nice jab at the end. With basic care, I mean no tools required for air filter and oil changes, these little engines can last a long time. Nice video.
I know people tend to put those newer Briggs engines down but I really like them. They’re simple to work on, much more efficient than the good old flat heads and they’re really quite trouble free for the most part. I’ve always had very good luck with them and I always keep a couple around to use on decent decks with worn out engines.
Back when I was still working at the L&G shop, I had two five gallon buckets full of those plastic carbs that were melted by fuel. Internally. The fuel bowl was warped badly.
I live in Florida and a lady friend lives in Atlanta GA. She found a 1 yr old Toro mower in the trash with a sign attached FREE NEEDS CARB WORK. She put it in her SUV and brought is to me on a visit. The "bright red Georgia clay" clogged the air filter and the carb. I had a new mower with a new filter and a can of brake clean. Amazing how owners won't do maintenance on these machines.
@@timewa851my car doesn't need regular valve to rocker clearance adjustment. It is one of the first OHC V8 engines to use hydraulic pivots to automatically set this. As for my mower, it hasn't done enough work to warrant this job. It has only about 5 hours of work in total.
Re: 20 yrs. comment. I take exception with your comment that those engines won't last 20 years. Other than some recent freebie acquisitions, all my stuff is 25+ years old and I don't consider myself a maintenance fanatic .I know of many people who never changed oil though they did add as needed. At one time mowers were so cheap, people would trash them in lieu of the effort to maintain them and paying shop charges for repairs was totally out of question compared to replacement purchase price.
B&S has stated a 10-year lifespan target for these engines. Of course that will vary, but their argument is the mower itself is likely to be worn out around 10 years as well. These aren’t built for longevity like the old ones.
Had this issue with a kawasaki FJ180V engine. Checked the flywheel key first but it was the excessive valvelash that caused it to jank back on the pull rope.
Good video, I just had a Honda 13 hp that the valves were so far out that it hurt the persons arm that was trying to start it. It belongs to an Amish customer and the valves were over 20 thousand to loose. After adj. the valves it ran great. Thanks
Yes! Another gas-powered Toro from the good old days is given more life. I REALLY want to like electric mowers, but just can't see one worth the hassle at this point. The Milwaukee one seems to have good power to cut through anything. If I had to pick an electric one, I suppose I would start there. I have like 12 Makita batteries, so you would think Makita mowers would be my logical choice. I hear bad things about Makita mowers, though.
I for one am surprised Toro went from Kohler to Briggs. Kohler seems to be improving while Briggs seems to be getting cheaper. At least in my humble opinion. Thank you for wonderful content.
Question: Did you also check for a partially sheared flywheel key? That is what I immediately think of when the starter rope kicks back, but I don't have experience with OHV small engines. Thx
yes I thought about it but there were no gouges in the blade to show a hard strike, that and after the adjustment it didn't do it anymore. IF it had I would have checked it.
Did have one pull out of my hand once, before I knew better. Pulled on it with no blade on it. Left a black and blue and yellow mark on my forearm for at least two weeks..
20 years for a mower now a days I doubt it. They aren’t made to last like they use to. The rwd toro newest transmission Aren’t good plastic gears . But easier to replace
As we all age. We grow tired and just want to stop doing what we all have known forever. Basically burn out. I have reached that point as well have seen the same story over and over again day after day. I get it. Electric lawn mowers are not the answer though as the batteries have a chance to burn your house down, and as far as where the compounds to make the batteries come from we are going backwards, and approving black slavery again only this time in Africa. That's where the term " blood batteries " comes from.
the biggest one for me is the weight between them. The older ones are much heavier than the new ones. But the main difference from my point of view is of course the OHV versus Side valves
Question: I would have looked at blade for damage & prob. the timing key 1st. My thinking is if the timing was slightly off (Pull back on rope) this would also affect the valve lash adjustment (Gap)..then I would go to the valves....am I wrong in this? would the timing key affect the valve gap?? Never ran into it, but the thought arised see this..What do you think...I'm interested
not sure, but I don't there's a direct connect to sheared key and valve lash. Reason: sheared key changes the reference point of the flywheel and no the crankshaft
Yeah, that makes sense! I've never ran into one that pulled back from valve lash out "YET"!! but have had more than a few with the key moved..Out of habit I always look at the blade 1st thing I do when someone asked to look at there mower. Esp. if they got Kids that use it..They think they can mow Rocks/Tree stumps/Dog bones Etc-etc...Yup but as usual, Great video!!
This happened to me in work with a Honda gx390 had a tight grip on it and smashed my knuckles into the recoil cover!! A friend then had a go and it peeled the skin of his fingers 😮
Blue thread locker on wheel bolts, especially with the newer Toro mowers. You did great with the one-pull start. Front wheels were a bit out of alignment as you already know. Still, keep your head up. You're the best small engine presenter on UA-cam. 😊
What are your thoughts on Tecumseh engines? i heard they can be pretty rough and im soon acquiring a lawnmower thats sat for years outside with one as a restoration project. Model LAV 153
@@AveragePootis the Tecumseh mount pattern is slightly off from B&S. So you only need to put one extra hole on your deck to convert! Ask me how I know! Just kidding. T are decent engines, but they tend to spit a conrod outta the crankcase after twelve hard years of mowing.
@@timewa851 That is slightly worrying, considering that the mower was owned by an old couple before it sat outside in the rain and snow for a bit over 10 years heh
I don't think that 20 years out of a small engine is totally unreasonable under the right conditions. I never had to set valves on a flathead nd didn't have an overhead long enough to do it either. The 420-V on the 4-footer compression release worked once nd I thought it had slung a rod but it was never hard to start anyway. The Predator on the splitter was a 13 horse and started very easily but it was new too. The battery jobs start bright up but we all know that story all too well. As soon as the dew burns off I'm going to see how it does with 10/11# of air in the tires instead of 30. Good fox and that's a nicely kept mower indeed. Blessings
I've got an 85 four horse on a Snapper and an 02 on a Coleman genset and neither one have had anything serious done to them. Oil changes are about it. The 20 horse opposed piston Vanguard had an adjustable jet carb bought for it and the fuel pump rebuilt and one air filter and starter bendix but oil changes from then on. Probably a battery.@@timewa851
I should have said this before. I like the ez2walk style variable speed. I tried the personal pace but it made a grinding nose when I wasn't walking and was super annoying.
"Small engines aren't meant to last 20 years"... I have a push mower that's 12 yrs old, and a zero turn (with a Kohler Command Pro) that's 20 yrs old. They're both running fine. So maybe they aren't meant to last that long, but they certainly can. I don't go to extraordinary means to make them last either. Just basic maintenance. I have a mower something like this one. It's a Toro, but it has a Briggs flathead engine. I'm not sure if the valves ever need adjusting. It's still running fine after 12 years. But I DO admit, it doesn't crank as easily as it did new. So maybe it IS time to look at the valves.
Hey bro what's up? To my understanding, I'm guessing that the owner did their best to keep this mower in tip top working condition. To us the viewers, it might look like a very simple repair but in reality not having the correct tools to repair your equipment is quite a challenge.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE to Ramadin's point, maybe it would make for a good video if you explained the tools necessary to do basic but critical engine work such as valve lash adjustments?
I'm not sure if that's necessary as you can see for yourself what tools are needed, basic hand tools, and a feeler gauge. Unless you were talking about specific tool sizes, which would only work if all the engines were made the same way
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE hey guys what's up? I just want to point out that most common folks may or may not have or have access to some of the tools necessary to repair their equipment. I personally is a tool junkie. I try to get as many tools or equipment as possible to make repairing my equipment as smooth as possible. I don't own or ever seen the feeler gage for sale in my country so far. In order to possess some tools I have to order them online and wait patiently for them to arrive several weeks later.
Electric! LOL. Nice jab at the end. With basic care, I mean no tools required for air filter and oil changes, these little engines can last a long time. Nice video.
I'm glad you got that at the end! thank you!
I know people tend to put those newer Briggs engines down but I really like them. They’re simple to work on, much more efficient than the good old flat heads and they’re really quite trouble free for the most part. I’ve always had very good luck with them and I always keep a couple around to use on decent decks with worn out engines.
Back when I was still working at the L&G shop, I had two five gallon buckets full of those plastic carbs that were melted by fuel. Internally. The fuel bowl was warped badly.
you are correct, light and easy to work on is always a plus
wow, I've never seen that!
@@georgepruitt637 I'll put 100 bucks in the that never happened column.
@@MUUKOW3 Well, Scott, you have been told the truth, and those are the facts. Whether you believe or not, is your problem.
I live in Florida and a lady friend lives in Atlanta GA. She found a 1 yr old Toro mower in the trash with a sign attached FREE NEEDS CARB WORK. She put it in her SUV and brought is to me on a visit. The "bright red Georgia clay" clogged the air filter and the carb. I had a new mower with a new filter and a can of brake clean. Amazing how owners won't do maintenance on these machines.
wow that was a great find!
Nice bolt cleaning tip 👌
Thanks 👍
Looks like a well looked after mower. Easy to set valve clearances.
asking a mower operator to check valves it like expecting a Honda motor vehicle owner to check their valves. Every 17,500 miles. : ) They don't.
@@timewa851my car doesn't need regular valve to rocker clearance adjustment. It is one of the first OHC V8 engines to use hydraulic pivots to automatically set this. As for my mower, it hasn't done enough work to warrant this job. It has only about 5 hours of work in total.
Yes it was
you got that right
I love how you go above and beyond to get it in top-notch shape. I always wondered how you get the paint to shine so nice
if you're curious I use car care products to polish the paint and make it pop
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE thank you sir!
no problem
Good valve adjustment. Seems like a decent mower, should last quite a while…if they change the oil and air filter.
agreed
Part of my routine maintenance is checking valves. Every OHV engine I have right now has good valve lash.
you're doing a great job!
Excellent compression and looks good as new. Great job as usual. I think my mower will out last me so we shall see.
LOL!!
Re: 20 yrs. comment. I take exception with your comment that those engines won't last 20 years. Other than some recent freebie acquisitions, all my stuff is 25+ years old and I don't consider myself a maintenance fanatic .I know of many people who never changed oil though they did add as needed. At one time mowers were so cheap, people would trash them in lieu of the effort to maintain them and paying shop charges for repairs was totally out of question compared to replacement purchase price.
B&S has stated a 10-year lifespan target for these engines. Of course that will vary, but their argument is the mower itself is likely to be worn out around 10 years as well. These aren’t built for longevity like the old ones.
nice, can't say much about that .
thank you for the information
You saved me some money with this one! GREAT! thanks!!
Glad I could help!
Had this issue with a kawasaki FJ180V engine. Checked the flywheel key first but it was the excessive valvelash that caused it to jank back on the pull rope.
nice work!
TY for Sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Good video, I just had a Honda 13 hp that the valves were so far out that it hurt the persons arm that was trying to start it. It belongs to an Amish customer and the valves were over 20 thousand to loose. After adj. the valves it ran great. Thanks
wow that's pretty far out of tolerance!
Never seen a valve clearance so far out , glad nothing internal happen
I've seen worse
Yes! Another gas-powered Toro from the good old days is given more life. I REALLY want to like electric mowers, but just can't see one worth the hassle at this point. The Milwaukee one seems to have good power to cut through anything. If I had to pick an electric one, I suppose I would start there. I have like 12 Makita batteries, so you would think Makita mowers would be my logical choice. I hear bad things about Makita mowers, though.
I do plan on getting one just out of curiosity myself
Another high satisfaction job.
thanks
I for one am surprised Toro went from Kohler to Briggs. Kohler seems to be improving while Briggs seems to be getting cheaper. At least in my humble opinion. Thank you for wonderful content.
you make a good point, and yeah , it's just business. Who know what kind of dealings they're doing behind closed doors.
I don’t like the vacuum choke system on the kohler mowers
I bought an Ego electric mower but sold it because the cut quality and suction just didn't cut it. I bought a used Toro Personal Pace to replace it.
nice choice!
No,my 3 horsepower Briggs and Stratton powered lawnmower is very easy to pull over & start !
nice
Question: Did you also check for a partially sheared flywheel key? That is what I immediately think of when the starter rope kicks back, but I don't have experience with OHV small engines. Thx
yes I thought about it but there were no gouges in the blade to show a hard strike, that and after the adjustment it didn't do it anymore. IF it had I would have checked it.
My personal pace mower is 23 yrs old and runs perfect
Nice!
Did have one pull out of my hand once, before I knew better. Pulled on it with no blade on it. Left a black and blue and yellow mark on my forearm for at least two weeks..
Ouch!
good tips
thanks
I just got a toro recycler for FREEEEEE!!!!!! Greta vid
nice
20 years for a mower now a days I doubt it. They aren’t made to last like they use to.
The rwd toro newest transmission Aren’t good plastic gears . But easier to replace
yes, things have gotten to a rather "cheap" state and it's unlikely things will last that long..
As we all age. We grow tired and just want to stop doing what we all have known forever. Basically burn out. I have reached that point as well have seen the same story over and over again day after day. I get it. Electric lawn mowers are not the answer though as the batteries have a chance to burn your house down, and as far as where the compounds to make the batteries come from we are going backwards, and approving black slavery again only this time in Africa. That's where the term " blood batteries " comes from.
well said
What's the main difference between older model Briggs and Statton vs newer ones?
the biggest one for me is the weight between them. The older ones are much heavier than the new ones. But the main difference from my point of view is of course the OHV versus Side valves
Just out of curiosity, why do you feel that doing it that way as opposed to using the top dead center method is easier? Thanks!
finding TDC can be tricky and if you're off by a few degrees it will make your adjustments off too. Doing one valve at a time is almost a sure thing.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Oh ok, gotcha! Thank you.
Just do it what ever turns you on
No big deal
Question: I would have looked at blade for damage & prob. the timing key 1st. My thinking is if the timing was slightly off (Pull back on rope) this would also affect the valve lash adjustment (Gap)..then I would go to the valves....am I wrong in this? would the timing key affect the valve gap?? Never ran into it, but the thought arised see this..What do you think...I'm interested
not sure, but I don't there's a direct connect to sheared key and valve lash. Reason: sheared key changes the reference point of the flywheel and no the crankshaft
Yeah, that makes sense! I've never ran into one that pulled back from valve lash out "YET"!! but have had more than a few with the key moved..Out of habit I always look at the blade 1st thing I do when someone asked to look at there mower. Esp. if they got Kids that use it..They think they can mow Rocks/Tree stumps/Dog bones Etc-etc...Yup but as usual, Great video!!
thanks
When you say you rotate the engine, does that mean you turn the blade on the bottom?
This happened to me in work with a Honda gx390 had a tight grip on it and smashed my knuckles into the recoil cover!! A friend then had a go and it peeled the skin of his fingers 😮
ouch!
Thanks for this video.
You're welcome
Blue thread locker on wheel bolts, especially with the newer Toro mowers. You did great with the one-pull start. Front wheels were a bit out of alignment as you already know. Still, keep your head up. You're the best small engine presenter on UA-cam. 😊
that works too and thank you I try my best .
What are your thoughts on Tecumseh engines? i heard they can be pretty rough and im soon acquiring a lawnmower thats sat for years outside with one as a restoration project.
Model LAV 153
I think they're awesome and would put a lot of time, and a little bit of money into fixing one.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE good to hear, i have heard some bad stuff about them. It will be an interesting project
@@AveragePootis the Tecumseh mount pattern is slightly off from B&S. So you only need to put one extra hole on your deck to convert! Ask me how I know! Just kidding. T are decent engines, but they tend to spit a conrod outta the crankcase after twelve hard years of mowing.
@@timewa851 That is slightly worrying, considering that the mower was owned by an old couple before it sat outside in the rain and snow for a bit over 10 years heh
They were good engines in their "day". But their day is over.
The retract on the coil
I don't think that 20 years out of a small engine is totally unreasonable under the right conditions. I never had to set valves on a flathead nd didn't have an overhead long enough to do it either. The 420-V on the 4-footer compression release worked once nd I thought it had slung a rod but it was never hard to start anyway. The Predator on the splitter was a 13 horse and started very easily but it was new too. The battery jobs start bright up but we all know that story all too well. As soon as the dew burns off I'm going to see how it does with 10/11# of air in the tires instead of 30. Good fox and that's a nicely kept mower indeed. Blessings
the flatheads spoiled us. still run a Quantum from year 2000. Still needs no valve adjust.
I've got an 85 four horse on a Snapper and an 02 on a Coleman genset and neither one have had anything serious done to them. Oil changes are about it. The 20 horse opposed piston Vanguard had an adjustable jet carb bought for it and the fuel pump rebuilt and one air filter and starter bendix but oil changes from then on. Probably a battery.@@timewa851
I've only seen a few flatheads need to have the valve lash adjusted and it was not easy by any means.
RIGHT!@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE
What's your favorite type of self propel, variable speed, one speed, personal pace or a Honda style self propel
Snapper, commercial style.
I like the personal pace system with is a variable speed type.
good choice
I should have said this before. I like the ez2walk style variable speed. I tried the personal pace but it made a grinding nose when I wasn't walking and was super annoying.
nice choice
What is the lubricant you were using?
lithium grease
That little air noise when pulling the cord is normal right…? My briggs 675 does the same thing
as far as I know , yeah
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE thanks. Never known of a mower doing it before, was a bit disconcerting at first.
"Small engines aren't meant to last 20 years"... I have a push mower that's 12 yrs old, and a zero turn (with a Kohler Command Pro) that's 20 yrs old. They're both running fine. So maybe they aren't meant to last that long, but they certainly can. I don't go to extraordinary means to make them last either. Just basic maintenance.
I have a mower something like this one. It's a Toro, but it has a Briggs flathead engine. I'm not sure if the valves ever need adjusting. It's still running fine after 12 years. But I DO admit, it doesn't crank as easily as it did new. So maybe it IS time to look at the valves.
very nice, and good work
What a coincidence I got one exactly like that two days ago for free.
nice find!
Great video 👍🙏👍🙏
thank you!
Hey bro what's up? To my understanding, I'm guessing that the owner did their best to keep this mower in tip top working condition. To us the viewers, it might look like a very simple repair but in reality not having the correct tools to repair your equipment is quite a challenge.
you make a great point, and this is about the best scenario I could think of, just check the oil, and filter and that's it.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE to Ramadin's point, maybe it would make for a good video if you explained the tools necessary to do basic but critical engine work such as valve lash adjustments?
I'm not sure if that's necessary as you can see for yourself what tools are needed, basic hand tools, and a feeler gauge. Unless you were talking about specific tool sizes, which would only work if all the engines were made the same way
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE hey guys what's up? I just want to point out that most common folks may or may not have or have access to some of the tools necessary to repair their equipment. I personally is a tool junkie. I try to get as many tools or equipment as possible to make repairing my equipment as smooth as possible. I don't own or ever seen the feeler gage for sale in my country so far. In order to possess some tools I have to order them online and wait patiently for them to arrive several weeks later.
from memory in my knowledge not really etc.
. my thoughts on this matter is.the fly wheel key May be out of time
that's a good thought
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE 👍👍
Looks nearly brand new. Too early for this kind of a problem. Toro makes Junk these days as they all do apparently.
The mower is 7 years old.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE How is that red paint looking brand new and the wheels so white?
@@Guillotines_For_Globalists He typically does a good cleaning with degreaser. A good cleaning with it really makes the mower look nearly new again.
I make the paint shiny using car care products and yes like MixingGBP says, I cleaned the wheels using a really strong degreaser
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I wasn't aware that you cleaned them up prior to working on them.
Electric lawnmowers or junk