Hi guys I just wanted to Introduce to you my other Channel "Kirkman's Academy" - which i'm just getting started. It's a go-to channel for simple explanations for hard to grasp subjects such as physics, maths and chemistry etc. Here is the link: www.youtube.com/@kirkmansacademy/videos . Thank you so much for looking, and if these topics interest you then I hope to see you the there. Many thanks indeed. Craig 😊👍
I've worked on small engines for close to 40 years , and I have found that continued cleaning of the foam air filter with fuel not only disintegrates it but can plug it . I only use Dawn dish soap . The same thing happens when customers clean adapter filter with fuel or tip it to the carb side to clean the deck . Once they have gas in them a few times they can plug almost all the way . Also I've found like hairs in the pick up tubes ( mostly older ones ) that I later determined to be fuel filter fibers as the fuel is filtered so many times before its purchased. Hope that's helpful as well .Great informational video .😊
Your video is well worth watching, I found a spring missing, filter blocked, and the diaphram done for. Now my 25 year old mower is singing, instead of groaning! Peace be unto you.
Good stuff. When I took off my air cleaner I put a towel over the carburetor intake, and sprayed down the entire throttle control linkage thoroughly with Brake Kleen. Then I removed the towel and started it with the air cleaner off. I gave it about 15 squirts of Gumout carburetor cleaner into the bowl, letting the engine recover to idle in between squirts. Spraying the Gumout in while the engine was running seemed to clean out the ports and valves. I also keep a suction bulb (turkey baster) on hand to suck out bits of grass debris that get into the fuel tank.
Best and most detailed video I have come across! I have fixed many of this, and had some issues here and there, and clearly You have pointed to all places where I never looked at :-) Thank You!!!
Outstanding video! I've watch about 50 of these Briggs and Stratton engine diagnostic videos. I have had my mower for nearly 10 years and it has never run well for more than an hour after a carburetor rebuild, then I just put up with the surging until the next rebuild. Your video is the first i've seen that mentions the manifold intake so I pulled the housing off and found a couple of decent fractures along the manifold. I've just replaced the manifold, the mower runs without surging, with a much lower RPM, and seems steady and stable. Brilliant result. Thank you very much! I was actually just about to get rid of the briggs mower and buy a honda mower. There are loads and loads of repair videos on briggs engines but very few on the honda machines which leads me to believe there is very few problems with them. Great video though, thanks for sharing your knowledge!
I work on Honda motors in great numbers in my role as mower mechanic at a city council. If you can provide clean oil, fuel and air to your Honda, on an ongoing basis, it with outlive you and your family. Briggs & Stratton are a cheaper motor with a few issues. This guy appears have had terrific experience with them.
Aha, I changed the diaphragm last year but the problem persists, now I realise there's a multitude of things I didn't check! Thanks for taking time to share your experience
Many thanks for excellent video. Replacing the diaphragm solved the surging problem in a oner. £2 from Amazon and about 20 minutes to change and straight forward for any competent amateur mechanic. Thanks again.
I hate Briggs and Stratton engines for their carburettor setups, it's just a constant pain in the rear with those! Btw due to the high ethanol content of new fuels, try adding some two stroke oil to the fuel before putting your mower away for the winter. It needs to be about a 15:1 mix using a fully mineral two stroke oil, this will coat all the parts of the fuel system in a thin layer of oil which will prevent corrosion that often results in fuel systems that have been in contact with ethanol and then drained.
Nice video showing the alternatives. My Briggs was doing the surging on a Hayter and I went through all the cleaning and diaphragm replacement only to find that it was still surging … then came the solution … the air filter hadn’t been secured properly so was getting different mixtures and after a quick tightening of the filter with a screwdriver all was well again … but it just showed me how you can miss the obvious.
Nice video! I’ve just refurbished a LawnKing and replaced the carb seals etc and governor springs. I found Micks Mowers videos were brilliant. You have done a great summary on things to keep an eye on! It’s so rewarding when you fix your own mower and it works as good as new and it’s 17 years old! 😊 Thanks 🙏
Superb video ... best on here regarding these lawn mowers ... extremely helpful and not long winded like all the others. Also you've taken the time to add the links ... thanks saved me lots of faffing about :)
Fantastic video explaining everything very well, I have this issue on my 450E engine and recently it's started cutting out when hot but it will restart with a bit of extra priming. Liked and subscribed
Excellent. Solid ECE information. Of note. Finding small leaks. I use carb cleaner to spray lightly around possible cracks or gasket areas. If RPM increases, there is one area to repair. Just a quick shade tree diagnosis.
Finally! A video for my old Weedeater lawnmower! This the exact engine and carb. I think mine just needs the foam filter thoroughly cleaned...possibly replaced if it's getting too frayed and old. The mower just started surging. I didn't clean the air filter last year at all and there is a lot of dust generated in my lawn. Thank you for listing all the possible culprits!!❤
dark yellowish color of the fuel may also mean someone is pissing in the tank.....Absolutely FANTASTIC explanations in all your videos, if we had them 40 years ago we would have been able to fix more small engines rather than beating on them with a wrench.......
Great video and information! I have the exact same carburetor/gas tank layout. Mine surges without the rocking back and forth. I will follow these instructions and see if it resolves it. Thank you!
I had same problem. Then I switched to shell vpower petrol and add redex. New plug. Clean air filter. Pressure washed machine. Wd40 on wheels. Didn't dismantle anything. Run fine now for 2 years, oh and new oil too. Vw t cross oil. 5w30. Excellent
Great video with the set-up I have (very similar at least). I've done most of the things (from other videos that weren't anywhere near as clear). New filter, governor springs, gaskets and clean-up. It runs like it's got a turbo but still some hunting. I see some others commenting below about the E10 fuel. I think I'll replace the fuel next since I can't remember whether it's E5 or E10. Keep up the good work. I wish I'd found your video before a lot of the others that I watched!
Thanks iv just found one of these on the side of the road, it's in very nice condition but it is surging. I picked it up and have started moving my lawns. It started first pull, it didn't have much fuel and was surging and then stopping. It won't run with the air filter of, but it started when I put it back on . Tomorrow I'm going to get more petrol but clean the tank out and the air filter check ✔ everything you said to like the gadget between the carb and the tank and the primer if iv got any issues I will get new parts as 5his seems to be a very good mower and picks up the grass very well were my current mower an electric ECO Mower is not very good at picking up grass. When I get this morrison working correctly I will use my two mowers week about to inharnce my lawns
Thank you so much for this video. I have done 90% of what you suggested but the mower still surges, I’m now off to try the 10% of that I hadn’t thought of! I did replace one govener spring but my govener looks very slack compared to your vide so that’s place number 1 I’m going to look.
I had this surge issue and I just started pulling on the governor because it was old and I didn’t care if it broke and it came out of it runs amazing and has for the past few months lol
I have two petrol cans one with standard fuel and the other with super or highest octane . When the mower hunts I add the high octane fuel to its tank and that has fixed the problem for me.
I've bought a second hand mower with this engine on & changed all obvious things (primer bulb, air filter, spark plug, diaphragm & gasket) but still seems a bit spluttery when running. I did notice the plastic retaining ring that holds the o-ring in place on the fuel intake pipe that connects to the carb is missing, would that cause this kind of problem? Thanks.
HI ! Do you have video about this model briggs and stratton , how to adjusment valves ? My model is the same like on this video and I have problem with start... I check carburator , every thinks is fine , but it very hard to pull rope when I try to start... I think that walves is problem .... THANKS FOR GREAT VIDEO !
I completely changed the carb and the tank. I also have a new air cleaner. When i put the air cleaner on the mower engine is surging. With the aircleaner off engine runs smooth at full RPM. What could be the issue?
Something to add about the primer bulb, if it is the clear silicon type, modern E10 petrol can 'eat' at the silicon also it makes rubber petrol feed and return hose brittle. Another reason to drain fuel from the tank, BUT also to start any engine and let the carb' run out of fuel when over wintering.
Would the same issues causing surging also contribute to the engine cutting out when warm? You raised some things for me to check for surging such as confirming flush contact between carburetor and gas tank, and the integrity of the intake manifold. ... I have cleaned the filter, the carburetor (can blow through all intakes), the fuel tank, added fresh fuel, replaced the carburetor diaphragm and gasket, replaced the plug and replaced the magneto.
I purchased a Hyper Tough push-mower from Walmart in 2020. It came with an unusual 20" blade. I replaced the blade with a generic high-lift blade. The added air-resistance on the blade seemed to solve the "surging" or "hunting" issues with the Briggs & Stratton E-series engine, which uses the air flowing from the fan of the flywheel to regulate the govenor system. Was a pleasant surprise, for me.
Finally found the issue. I replaced the magneto but the problem persisted. I had failed to align the magneto with the flywheel so the engine was not "timed" properly. After alignment no more surging, no more stopping after warming up, no more adding gas to finish the lawn.
Could I ask for a video of the governor when the engine is running correctly. And I bit of slow motion footage as well if possible. This would be the most helpful video ever. Manny thanks
Is there a name for the red caseing on this very type of mower - I have one fore about ten years now - a real work horse but the case has developed serious rusting where the case and the handle bolt together. Its a second hand mower I bought for £20 quid and still going strong!!!
Fuel aging I usually empty tank before winter storage or leave a little in tank with a splash of redex and run off engine for few minutes saves problems upon new season work
I put paper tape on the carb's sealing area closest to the block, it fixed the leaky gasket surging problem. BTW - The appearance of oil around that area is from the gas, a hint the gasket leaking .
The large throttle return spring is not fitted to my mower, just a light spring attached to the plastic bell crank lever and hooked into the middle hole in the upstanding plate. Was the larger spring deleted. My mower runs fast sing hitting a GPO post hidden in the grass on the verge in front of my house. My mower is a Qualcaste with a Briggs and Stratton 158cc engine, about 4 years old.
I think that If your mower has never had that spring then of course it doesn't need one, but as for hitting the post resulting in faster running, well, maybe this has impacted the throttle mechanism at the front and moved it to a faster position. There should be a small lever facing out front, see if by moving that from one side to the other slowly, you hear a change in RPM. Only do this if you feel competent and confident to do it. Otherwise I would take it to a profession repair center. I hope this helps Craig
To clean a steel fuel tank empty it make a mix of 1 Part Molasses and 2 to 3 parts water. Leave it in for a couple of days shake occasionally empty and flush severa times it will TOTALLY remove any Rust or Gunk leaving the tank looking like Blued Steel.
Hi. Well I personally don’t get too caught up in fuel specs with my Briggs engines. I find they run and last well on an average ethanol fuel. I do realise though that some people I know have had trouble with the diaphragms, which they attribute to ethanol but I can’t really say for sure that this damage has definitely without any doubt that it has caused the damage. There would have to be an independent study conducted to prove there assumptions, but I’m not saying it’s not possible though. I this helps a little
Great video Craig. I have a Mountfield 414, stripped it and cleaned it with carb spray, put it all back together again, and it is still surging and hunting. Am I missing something? Checked the spark plug with multimeter, all fine, plus checked the ignition coil with multimeter, all fine there too. Bulb was pressing fine, no leaks and whilst stripping the carb down I could see the petrol seeping out when bulb was pressed. Filter was also cleaned too. Any other suggestions?
The recommended revolutions per minute (RPM) for a Mountfield pedestrian lawnmower can vary depending on the specific model and its engine specifications. Generally, lawnmowers operate within a range of 2,800 to 3,200 RPM. It's always best to refer to the user manual or contact the manufacturer for the precise RPM recommendation for your particular Mountfield lawnmower model.
i have an issue with the Classic 3.5 engine... The throttle response is really horrible, it has a new sparkplug, new oil, fully cleaned out the head, valves and the piston, i even ran it without the air filter (despite it being clean) to see if thats the issue, but still when i add throttle it takes a long time for the rpm to increase
My 450series Briggs and stratton lawnmower starts and runs but when it runs the primer bulb socks in why dies this happen and is this a start of a problem
There are several reasons why your Suzuki QuadRunner 4-wheeler might surge. The following are a few potential causes of the surging problem: Issues with the fuel system: Inspect the fuel system for any issues. It can be dirt in the carburetor, clogged fuel filter, or a broken fuel pump. Examine these elements and, if necessary, clean or replace them. Problems with the air intake: Surging may be brought on by a limited or blocked air intake. Make sure the air filter is installed correctly and is clean by inspecting it. Replace it if it is unclean or damaged. Adjusting the carburetor may be necessary, especially if the surging only happens at specific throttle positions. The air-fuel ratio could be either excessively rich or too low. To properly adjust the carburetor, see the owner's handbook or seek professional assistance. Surging may be brought on by vacuum leaks in the carburetor or intake manifold. Look for any leaks by checking the connectors, hoses, and gaskets. Any broken parts should be replaced or fixed. Surging can be caused by malfunctioning ignition parts like spark plugs or ignition coils. Look for wear or fouling in the spark plugs and replace them if necessary. Check the ignition coils for defects or damage. Adjusting the Throttle Cable: Ensure that the throttle cable is correctly adjusted and is not binding. A misaligned throttle cable can lead to surging and other abnormal engine behaviour. If you are unsure how to undertake the above then I do advise that you visit a competent mechanic or take the QuadRunner to a Suzuki repair facility for a complete examination and accurate diagnosis. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to properly recognise and address the increasing issue. I hope this helps a little Craig
My B & S Engine does'nt surge but runs very smoothly, before losing power for about 6 seconds..before returning to the standard Idle..the problem is worse when machine is stationary or being pulled backwards..Engine runs perfectly otherwise and is a 500E size about 5 years old...Solutions ?/.
hi the specialist could you { PLEASE } help me i have lost the three bolts that hold the starter assembly on could you please tell me the size thy are .or where to get them . THANK YOU.
Thank you for your question! A governor spring in a small petrol engine can glow and melt due to excessive heat. This can be caused by several issues, including: Overheating of the Engine: If the engine is running too hot, it can transfer excessive heat to nearby components, including the governor spring. This overheating could be due to a lack of proper cooling, low oil levels, or an overworked engine. Friction: If there is excessive friction in the moving parts near the governor spring, it can generate a significant amount of heat. This friction could be due to worn-out or improperly lubricated components. Exhaust Leak: A leak in the exhaust system could direct hot gases towards the governor spring, causing it to heat up and eventually melt. Misalignment or Incorrect Installation: If the governor spring is not installed correctly or is misaligned, it may be exposed to higher temperatures than it is designed to handle. To prevent this, ensure the engine is properly maintained with regular checks on cooling systems, lubrication, and the condition of the exhaust. Proper installation and alignment of engine components are also crucial. If you continue to experience this issue, it might be best to consult a professional mechanic to diagnose and fix the underlying problem. Thank you for bringing up this important issue! Craig
These are tips for the maintenance of the fuel system ... in particular running rich or lean. Very little about surging. Surely, surging is caused by the governor system - setting and tension of those 2 springs.
As an American the way you pronounce car-bur-retta is so different i honestly thought when you first said that you were talking about something different. Where I live its always been car-bur-ay-ter. I live appalachia too so some twang is added on there.
Whatever the the amount of fuel the engine is designed to run most efficiently on, reduce that amount and you will have lean running problems. Stands to reason
Hi guys I just wanted to Introduce to you my other Channel "Kirkman's Academy" - which i'm just getting started. It's a go-to channel for simple explanations for hard to grasp subjects such as physics, maths and chemistry etc. Here is the link: www.youtube.com/@kirkmansacademy/videos . Thank you so much for looking, and if these topics interest you then I hope to see you the there. Many thanks indeed. Craig 😊👍
This is definitely the best video on this mower, was able to find the problem and fix it within minutes! Thank you!
I've worked on small engines for close to 40 years , and I have found that continued cleaning of the foam air filter with fuel not only disintegrates it but can plug it . I only use Dawn dish soap . The same thing happens when customers clean adapter filter with fuel or tip it to the carb side to clean the deck . Once they have gas in them a few times they can plug almost all the way . Also I've found like hairs in the pick up tubes ( mostly older ones ) that I later determined to be fuel filter fibers as the fuel is filtered so many times before its purchased. Hope that's helpful as well .Great informational video .😊
Your video is well worth watching, I found a spring missing, filter blocked, and the diaphram done for. Now my 25 year old mower is singing, instead of groaning! Peace be unto you.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Craig 👍
Changed out gasket and rubber pump bulb today on 20+ year old Ibea mower (B&S Quattro 40,
Wow ta for the shout mate.. your too kind.. good to see a step by step video.. hope all is good my friend
Yeh all well thanks mate. Hope you are to. I'm pleased you like it. I hope the weather improves to get people out and about again. 👍👍
Good stuff. When I took off my air cleaner I put a towel over the carburetor intake, and sprayed down the entire throttle control linkage thoroughly with Brake Kleen. Then I removed the towel and started it with the air cleaner off. I gave it about 15 squirts of Gumout carburetor cleaner into the bowl, letting the engine recover to idle in between squirts. Spraying the Gumout in while the engine was running seemed to clean out the ports and valves. I also keep a suction bulb (turkey baster) on hand to suck out bits of grass debris that get into the fuel tank.
Ok, awesome 👍
Best and most detailed video I have come across! I have fixed many of this, and had some issues here and there, and clearly You have pointed to all places where I never looked at :-) Thank You!!!
Outstanding video! I've watch about 50 of these Briggs and Stratton engine diagnostic videos. I have had my mower for nearly 10 years and it has never run well for more than an hour after a carburetor rebuild, then I just put up with the surging until the next rebuild. Your video is the first i've seen that mentions the manifold intake so I pulled the housing off and found a couple of decent fractures along the manifold. I've just replaced the manifold, the mower runs without surging, with a much lower RPM, and seems steady and stable. Brilliant result. Thank you very much!
I was actually just about to get rid of the briggs mower and buy a honda mower. There are loads and loads of repair videos on briggs engines but very few on the honda machines which leads me to believe there is very few problems with them.
Great video though, thanks for sharing your knowledge!
There can also be surging with a Honda but Steve's Small Engine Saloon shows how to fix that one.
I work on Honda motors in great numbers in my role as mower mechanic at a city council. If you can provide clean oil, fuel and air to your Honda, on an ongoing basis, it with outlive you and your family. Briggs & Stratton are a cheaper motor with a few issues. This guy appears have had terrific experience with them.
Aha, I changed the diaphragm last year but the problem persists, now I realise there's a multitude of things I didn't check!
Thanks for taking time to share your experience
Many thanks for excellent video. Replacing the diaphragm solved the surging problem in a oner. £2 from Amazon and about 20 minutes to change and straight forward for any competent amateur mechanic. Thanks again.
I hate Briggs and Stratton engines for their carburettor setups, it's just a constant pain in the rear with those! Btw due to the high ethanol content of new fuels, try adding some two stroke oil to the fuel before putting your mower away for the winter. It needs to be about a 15:1 mix using a fully mineral two stroke oil, this will coat all the parts of the fuel system in a thin layer of oil which will prevent corrosion that often results in fuel systems that have been in contact with ethanol and then drained.
Nice video showing the alternatives. My Briggs was doing the surging on a Hayter and I went through all the cleaning and diaphragm replacement only to find that it was still surging … then came the solution … the air filter hadn’t been secured properly so was getting different mixtures and after a quick tightening of the filter with a screwdriver all was well again … but it just showed me how you can miss the obvious.
I had several lawnmowers. They all ha B&S motor. Finally I bought Honda. No problems anymore.
Nice video! I’ve just refurbished a LawnKing and replaced the carb seals etc and governor springs. I found Micks Mowers videos were brilliant. You have done a great summary on things to keep an eye on! It’s so rewarding when you fix your own mower and it works as good as new and it’s 17 years old! 😊 Thanks 🙏
Waawawawaaawswsswl
Superb video ... best on here regarding these lawn mowers ... extremely helpful and not long winded like all the others. Also you've taken the time to add the links ... thanks saved me lots of faffing about :)
Craig great video, clear, concise, well prepared, easy to follow and understand,
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Craig 👍👍👍
Fantastic video explaining everything very well, I have this issue on my 450E engine and recently it's started cutting out when hot but it will restart with a bit of extra priming. Liked and subscribed
Excellent. Solid ECE information. Of note. Finding small leaks. I use carb cleaner to spray lightly around possible cracks or gasket areas. If RPM increases, there is one area to repair. Just a quick shade tree diagnosis.
Thank you for your hints. I tightened up the bolts on the carb and it made a difference.
Finally! A video for my old Weedeater lawnmower! This the exact engine and carb. I think mine just needs the foam filter thoroughly cleaned...possibly replaced if it's getting too frayed and old. The mower just started surging. I didn't clean the air filter last year at all and there is a lot of dust generated in my lawn. Thank you for listing all the possible culprits!!❤
dark yellowish color of the fuel may also mean someone is pissing in the tank.....Absolutely FANTASTIC explanations in all your videos, if we had them 40 years ago we would have been able to fix more small engines rather than beating on them with a wrench.......
What a godsend! Mower fixed!
Great video and information! I have the exact same carburetor/gas tank layout. Mine surges without the rocking back and forth. I will follow these instructions and see if it resolves it. Thank you!
Brilliant. I hope all goes well. Let me know your result. Thank you for your feedback. I really appreciate it. Craig 👍
I had same problem. Then I switched to shell vpower petrol and add redex. New plug. Clean air filter. Pressure washed machine. Wd40 on wheels. Didn't dismantle anything. Run fine now for 2 years, oh and new oil too. Vw t cross oil. 5w30. Excellent
Thanks for sharing. 👍
Great video with the set-up I have (very similar at least). I've done most of the things (from other videos that weren't anywhere near as clear). New filter, governor springs, gaskets and clean-up. It runs like it's got a turbo but still some hunting. I see some others commenting below about the E10 fuel. I think I'll replace the fuel next since I can't remember whether it's E5 or E10.
Keep up the good work. I wish I'd found your video before a lot of the others that I watched!
Thank you. 👍👍👍
Cheers mate! This video has saved me so much time. I rapidly subscribed.🍻
ThNk you so much. I really appreciate it. Craig 👍👍
Simply excellent video thanks for all you do!!!
Many thanks for the video it was most helpful.
What an excellent video! Thanks so much!
Great number of really useful links.
Fantastic walk through, very helpful & for taking the time to make! 👍🏻
Thank you 👍
Thanks iv just found one of these on the side of the road, it's in very nice condition but it is surging. I picked it up and have started moving my lawns. It started first pull, it didn't have much fuel and was surging and then stopping. It won't run with the air filter of, but it started when I put it back on . Tomorrow I'm going to get more petrol but clean the tank out and the air filter check ✔ everything you said to like the gadget between the carb and the tank and the primer if iv got any issues I will get new parts as 5his seems to be a very good mower and picks up the grass very well were my current mower an electric ECO Mower is not very good at picking up grass. When I get this morrison working correctly I will use my two mowers week about to inharnce my lawns
Excellent video
Thank you very much!
Very good presentation. Thank you!
You are welcome! Craig 👍
Thank you so much for this video.
I have done 90% of what you suggested but the mower still surges, I’m now off to try the 10% of that I hadn’t thought of! I did replace one govener spring but my govener looks very slack compared to your vide so that’s place number 1 I’m going to look.
Awesome 👍
Thank you. I learned more in 10 minutes than I did in a year of schooling. Goes to show how good school is.
Jolly great info sir. Love to learn about small engines
I had this surge issue and I just started pulling on the governor because it was old and I didn’t care if it broke and it came out of it runs amazing and has for the past few months lol
Another Great video 👍
"God have mercy on the man,who doubts what he's sure of"
The Boss.
Great video and also your diagrams for the carburettor as really good.
Excellent, well explained. Thank you.
Petrol was bad, great shout!
I have two petrol cans one with standard fuel and the other with super or highest octane .
When the mower hunts I add the high octane fuel to its tank and that has fixed the problem for me.
This is super helpful, thank you!
Thanks for your through explanation.
Thank you so much 👍👍👍
Thank you for the video 👍
Thanks great explanation well illustrated good on you
Thank you so much 👍👍👍👍👍
Great job on this
Really well made video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you so much 😀
Briggs & Stratton "Fuel Fix" is another helper.
Absolutely 👍
I've bought a second hand mower with this engine on & changed all obvious things (primer bulb, air filter, spark plug, diaphragm & gasket) but still seems a bit spluttery when running. I did notice the plastic retaining ring that holds the o-ring in place on the fuel intake pipe that connects to the carb is missing, would that cause this kind of problem? Thanks.
HI ! Do you have video about this model briggs and stratton , how to adjusment valves ? My model is the same like on this video and I have problem with start... I check carburator , every thinks is fine , but it very hard to pull rope when I try to start... I think that walves is problem .... THANKS FOR GREAT VIDEO !
Great video , I can find the link to show us how to change the carb gasket and pump
I completely changed the carb and the tank. I also have a new air cleaner. When i put the air cleaner on the mower engine is surging. With the aircleaner off engine runs smooth at full RPM. What could be the issue?
Any video or advice for this issue on 190cc Quantum with auto choke?
Something to add about the primer bulb, if it is the clear silicon type, modern E10 petrol can 'eat' at the silicon also it makes rubber petrol feed and return hose brittle. Another reason to drain fuel from the tank, BUT also to start any engine and let the carb' run out of fuel when over wintering.
Sir can u explain how reedvalve works in 2stroke engines please
I will look into that. Thanks. Craig
Would the same issues causing surging also contribute to the engine cutting out when warm? You raised some things for me to check for surging such as confirming flush contact between carburetor and gas tank, and the integrity of the intake manifold. ... I have cleaned the filter, the carburetor (can blow through all intakes), the fuel tank, added fresh fuel, replaced the carburetor diaphragm and gasket, replaced the plug and replaced the magneto.
I purchased a Hyper Tough push-mower from Walmart in 2020. It came with an unusual 20" blade. I replaced the blade with a generic high-lift blade.
The added air-resistance on the blade seemed to solve the "surging" or "hunting" issues with the Briggs & Stratton E-series engine, which uses the air flowing from the fan of the flywheel to regulate the govenor system.
Was a pleasant surprise, for me.
Finally found the issue. I replaced the magneto but the problem persisted. I had failed to align the magneto with the flywheel so the engine was not "timed" properly. After alignment no more surging, no more stopping after warming up, no more adding gas to finish the lawn.
Fantastic video!
Could I ask for a video of the governor when the engine is running correctly.
And I bit of slow motion footage as well if possible.
This would be the most helpful video ever.
Manny thanks
Ok Thank you. I will look into that soon. Craig
Fantastic video
Thank you very much 👍
Is there a name for the red caseing on this very type of mower - I have one fore about ten years now - a real work horse but the case has developed serious rusting where the case and the handle bolt together. Its a second hand mower I bought for £20 quid and still going strong!!!
Fuel aging I usually empty tank before winter storage or leave a little in tank with a splash of redex and run off engine for few minutes saves problems upon new season work
Great video
I put paper tape on the carb's sealing area closest to the block, it fixed the leaky gasket surging problem.
BTW - The appearance of oil around that area is from the gas, a hint the gasket leaking .
Great stuff.
I've open my throttle fully never had any problems with surging or hard starts. Good information tho
Brilliant, thanks so much
You're very welcome! Craig 👍
The large throttle return spring is not fitted to my mower, just a light spring attached to the plastic bell crank lever and hooked into the middle hole in the upstanding plate. Was the larger spring deleted. My mower runs fast sing hitting a GPO post hidden in the grass on the verge in front of my house. My mower is a Qualcaste with a Briggs and Stratton 158cc engine, about 4 years old.
I think that If your mower has never had that spring then of course it doesn't need one, but as for hitting the post resulting in faster running, well, maybe this has impacted the throttle mechanism at the front and moved it to a faster position. There should be a small lever facing out front, see if by moving that from one side to the other slowly, you hear a change in RPM. Only do this if you feel competent and confident to do it. Otherwise I would take it to a profession repair center.
I hope this helps
Craig
Add a bit of Seafoam fuel additive to the gas tank. Problem solved. Have used it on my mowers and snowblowers with good results.
excellent video...
Thank you. I really appreciate it. Craig
Great!!! from Italy
To clean a steel fuel tank empty it make a mix of 1 Part Molasses and 2 to 3 parts water. Leave it in for a couple of days shake occasionally empty and flush severa times it will TOTALLY remove any Rust or Gunk leaving the tank looking like Blued Steel.
What fuel specs should we fill using briggs stratton lawn mower and engine oil?
Hi. Well I personally don’t get too caught up in fuel specs with my Briggs engines. I find they run and last well on an average ethanol fuel. I do realise though that some people I know have had trouble with the diaphragms, which they attribute to ethanol but I can’t really say for sure that this damage has definitely without any doubt that it has caused the damage. There would have to be an independent study conducted to prove there assumptions, but I’m not saying it’s not possible though. I this helps a little
Nailed it!
Great video Craig. I have a Mountfield 414, stripped it and cleaned it with carb spray, put it all back together again, and it is still surging and hunting. Am I missing something? Checked the spark plug with multimeter, all fine, plus checked the ignition coil with multimeter, all fine there too. Bulb was pressing fine, no leaks and whilst stripping the carb down I could see the petrol seeping out when bulb was pressed. Filter was also cleaned too. Any other suggestions?
get rid of the mower, go in, sit down and celebrate with a cool newcastle Brown....
I have a Mountfield just like that, can you tell me what rpm it should be running at?
The recommended revolutions per minute (RPM) for a Mountfield pedestrian lawnmower can vary depending on the specific model and its engine specifications. Generally, lawnmowers operate within a range of 2,800 to 3,200 RPM. It's always best to refer to the user manual or contact the manufacturer for the precise RPM recommendation for your particular Mountfield lawnmower model.
hammer throw dude
I also hear a popping noise when running, any idea what could be causing that?
i have an issue with the Classic 3.5 engine... The throttle response is really horrible, it has a new sparkplug, new oil, fully cleaned out the head, valves and the piston, i even ran it without the air filter (despite it being clean) to see if thats the issue, but still when i add throttle it takes a long time for the rpm to increase
My 450series Briggs and stratton lawnmower starts and runs but when it runs the primer bulb socks in why dies this happen and is this a start of a problem
thank you
Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it. Craig 👍
Hi there I have surging on my Suzuki quad runner 4 wheeler any ideas what it might be?
There are several reasons why your Suzuki QuadRunner 4-wheeler might surge. The following are a few potential causes of the surging problem:
Issues with the fuel system: Inspect the fuel system for any issues. It can be dirt in the carburetor, clogged fuel filter, or a broken fuel pump. Examine these elements and, if necessary, clean or replace them.
Problems with the air intake: Surging may be brought on by a limited or blocked air intake. Make sure the air filter is installed correctly and is clean by inspecting it. Replace it if it is unclean or damaged.
Adjusting the carburetor may be necessary, especially if the surging only happens at specific throttle positions. The air-fuel ratio could be either excessively rich or too low. To properly adjust the carburetor, see the owner's handbook or seek professional assistance.
Surging may be brought on by vacuum leaks in the carburetor or intake manifold. Look for any leaks by checking the connectors, hoses, and gaskets. Any broken parts should be replaced or fixed.
Surging can be caused by malfunctioning ignition parts like spark plugs or ignition coils. Look for wear or fouling in the spark plugs and replace them if necessary. Check the ignition coils for defects or damage.
Adjusting the Throttle Cable: Ensure that the throttle cable is correctly adjusted and is not binding. A misaligned throttle cable can lead to surging and other abnormal engine behaviour.
If you are unsure how to undertake the above then I do advise that you visit a competent mechanic or take the QuadRunner to a Suzuki repair facility for a complete examination and accurate diagnosis. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to properly recognise and address the increasing issue.
I hope this helps a little
Craig
My B & S Engine does'nt surge but runs very smoothly, before losing power for about 6 seconds..before returning to the standard Idle..the problem is worse when machine is stationary or being pulled backwards..Engine runs perfectly otherwise and is a 500E size about 5 years old...Solutions ?/.
hi the specialist could you { PLEASE } help me i have lost the three bolts that hold the starter assembly on could you please tell me the size thy are .or where to get them . THANK YOU.
How do you replace a primer bulb?
What causes a governor spring to glow and melt?
Thank you for your question! A governor spring in a small petrol engine can glow and melt due to excessive heat. This can be caused by several issues, including:
Overheating of the Engine: If the engine is running too hot, it can transfer excessive heat to nearby components, including the governor spring. This overheating could be due to a lack of proper cooling, low oil levels, or an overworked engine.
Friction: If there is excessive friction in the moving parts near the governor spring, it can generate a significant amount of heat. This friction could be due to worn-out or improperly lubricated components.
Exhaust Leak: A leak in the exhaust system could direct hot gases towards the governor spring, causing it to heat up and eventually melt.
Misalignment or Incorrect Installation: If the governor spring is not installed correctly or is misaligned, it may be exposed to higher temperatures than it is designed to handle.
To prevent this, ensure the engine is properly maintained with regular checks on cooling systems, lubrication, and the condition of the exhaust. Proper installation and alignment of engine components are also crucial. If you continue to experience this issue, it might be best to consult a professional mechanic to diagnose and fix the underlying problem.
Thank you for bringing up this important issue!
Craig
E5 petrol
Change from E 10 👍😉
It's a different ball game and you won't believe the difference.
These are tips for the maintenance of the fuel system ... in particular running rich or lean. Very little about surging. Surely, surging is caused by the governor system - setting and tension of those 2 springs.
I agree with you. I noted this with this video and I am in the process of making another video covering the issues you mentioned.
Thank you
Craig
Mine runs mega rich! Black smoke , even without a filter 🤷🏼♂️
Governor delete, thumb throttle, straight pipe,shaved head , velocity stack &stiff valve springs will also solve that issue.
As an American the way you pronounce car-bur-retta is so different i honestly thought when you first said that you were talking about something different. Where I live its always been car-bur-ay-ter. I live appalachia too so some twang is added on there.
Yes we are sometime separated but the same language!
Why is my carburetor in open position on M220 150cc lawnmower?
M220 Craftsman mower
Excellent. Tks.
Fuel cap screwed down to tight causes mine to surge/hunt. Stops the tank from breathing.
why mine started to surge after I refill it was fine when I mowed until I refill
Those Aldi chisels are great
😂
NOT just that engine. PETROL has lower calorific value now so ALL ENGINES RUN LEAN.
Whatever the the amount of fuel the engine is designed to run most efficiently on, reduce that amount and you will have lean running problems. Stands to reason
great, now how about koehler?