As with cars, I've always said, "Oil is cheaper than an engine." Same goes for mowers and transmissions. No, it is not always easy to diagnose, nor is it to fix. When I say fix, I mean money. Happy New Year, and I love that I found your channel. ❤
I’ll say one thing I’ve worked on lawnmowers and weedeaters since I was little weedeaters are harder than lawnmowers to work on but chainsaws are by far the hardest to work on for me, but I’ve worked on cars for the past six years cars are quite a bit harder than small engines
I've never torn lawn mower engine or a tractor engine down but I would share give it a try. Every engine that I've had I've always checked oil on lawn mower or tractor and none of my knock. THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO
Recoil springs can be a pain in the rear. And for people who think small engine repair is easy. Either don't know what they are doing, or don't do it right. When you watch it done it is always easier than doing it yourself. I live your videos and I learn a lot . Thank you very much for your videos . HAPPY NEW YEAR
Working on lawn equipment isn’t as simple and easy like some people might think. But me speaking on diagnose and repairing these engines is something I enjoy and love doing cause some repairs has its challenges.
I think I have watched all your videos at least once, many more than once, since doing so gives me more confidence when I work on my own. I live on a small acreage and have 10 gas operated engines. In the past I either paid for maintenance, did a part of it myself, or let it slide longer than I should have. Since I am now retired and try to do all the maintenance, your videos have helped tremendously! I will say you make working on small engines look easy (for the most part) and I would guess if all people do is watch your videos they do actually think it’s easy, but I find it much more of a challenge once I get my hands dirty. Especially carb work on my chainsaws. As I get more experience it does get less difficult, and VERY rewarding. As long as you make videos I will be a fan. Happy New Year and thanks for all your efforts.
I do have to apologize. The editing I do , to keep the videos, to the point, makes it look easy. It's not hard, but yes, it's certainly not as easy as I show it to be on screen
I found Honda mowers in the garbage and the only thing i could find wrong with them was that the mowing deck was rusted out. I put the motors on a different mower and i still have one of them around that still runs great and going to replace the timing belt before the mowing season starts again. As long as i've been working on small engines i still find it kind of difficult to diagnose any issue on mowers, chainsaws or any small engines
One fault often overlooked is the spark plug. I heard about one guy who bought a brand new mower. One day, it wouldn’t start. None of his friends knew why. He later sent it to the tip. The guy who was running the tip at the time was a good friend of mine. He took the mower home, and put a new spark plug in it. Added fuel, checked the oil, then he started it. The mower fired up on first pull of the rope. Old mate scored a brand new mower for a $3.50 spark plug. As far as I know, that mower is still going. This was about 20 years ago.
I'm convinced that we are born with certain abilities. When it comes to anything mechanical, i know enough to take it to someone else. I've made many very expensive mistakes in trying to fix my own equipment. I check the oil, air filter, etc. beyond that, it's off to the mechanic.
Usually the diagnosis is fairly easy, however, the repair can be very expensive, and difficult. Most people never adjust the valves in their OHV mowers and riders, I have seen some Honda engines become very difficult to start due to the valves being way to lose. Sometimes instead of .004 they can be .020 and nearly break you arm trying to start them. Happy New Year and thanks for the video.
Happy New Yeaar to you Sir!!! To respond to your question, diagnosinbg is only as good as the technicians experience. Most home owners would rather replace a mower than get higher prices from a repair shop. Like in this video, the homeowner did neglect the mower for a decade. A keen and experienced small engine person will find the issue rather quickly and even so, the repair may not be easy. In the rural area I reside in, there are very few repair shops and not all are reputable. As you mentioned, people shoudl ask around to get guidance. Maintaining your outdoor equipment is crucial in these times of uncertainty. I do as much as I can for my array of outdoor equipment based upon the videos such as yours to teach and provide sound rationales for you critical thinking skills. Many projects I take on are from wear and tear, or the occassional mishap but not enough to deter me. Many who watch your videos have found their self confidence to take on these jobs or maintanance rituals. Thanks to you and others like you, much equipment has been saved and more appreciated than in the past. Sorry this was long but I do mean all that I write. God Bless!!
You are right no mower is easy I worked on Maney lawn mowers an other our door equipment an they are always a challenge the ones that have not been looked after in my opinion are the worse an not always repairable. Great video
Sometimes compression tests are inconclusive as Taryl found out with a Briggs and Stratton engine which he repaired under warranty,it needed a new piston & a set of new piston rings in it after they got stuck in the ring grooves. He eventually used a cylinder leakdown tester to find out that there was excessive leakage past the piston rings. That mower sounds like it has a rod Knock & it needs at least a new connecting rod !
I wish that I had taken more shop classes in school. Unfortunately, I didn't and don't know as much about mechanics (small and large engines) I learn from videos like this. Yes, for people like me, without much experience, fixing mowers isn't easy.
Hey bro what's up? Happy new year and I wish you all the best for 2024. I had to laugh out loud since I had a mower which I couldn't get parts for it and it just ended up a few minutes ago on a scrap truck.
HAPPY BRAND NEW YEAR and there's always something lurking around that needs to be done or will bite you later on. As the old rocket scientist said, it's always a trade off. The old deal about pay me now or pay me later holds true. My old 85 Snapper holds true that it don't have to be new to work. Seems like more folks are wising up to that fact as prices go higher and the dollar lost it's elasticity. Here's wishing you another great year fixing stuff and us treating ours well to keep it going! Blessings 2 U!
If possible, could you please make a video on replacing the clutch bearings on a Honda mower. I suspect my mower is suffering from the same problem after I used it once on wet grass. Since then it stalls as soon as I engage the blades.
To answer this in my experience is not all repairs are an easy fix unless you right away sometimes not even that also one day u get a mower with a east fix and sell and one that might take a lil more time and money depending on the issue
I know the smoke was from leaning over, but it doesn’t sound right so I agree it will only last a year or two, even with high compression 😊 Oh it’s amazing when you replace the spark plug yearly.😊
I am a retired auto engineer. With this mower, I would pull the engine off, take it apart, remove the crank, and replace the sleeve bearing on the top part of the crankcase. If I had to, I’d turn up a new one in my lathe.
@@metoon3092 what’s so funny about my comment? Being smart is a bad idea here, especially with people like me watching and commenting. It is not hard to make engine parts if you know what you are doing, and you have the tools to do the job
@@MUUKOW3 crap. They have a sleeve bearing in them. I have pulled enough of them apart to know this, and replaced the sleeve bearings. Those mowers sold for close to $800 here in Australia. During my working life, I got about three or so a week to fix with the same problem.
I wouldn’t say that working on small engine equipment is “easy”; I think that the definition of easy is dependent on each individual’s skill and mechanical experience level. I would, however, say that small engine repair is a great way to start for a younger person or really anyone interested in learning about engines and repairs. The overall size of the machine, the number of parts inside it, and the amount and cost of tools and parts required to repair the most popular brands of small engines/equipment are a minimal investment compared to automotive, large truck, or other larger and more complex powertrains. Having had automotive knowledge before small engine experience, it is fair to say that there are some very stark differences in how each run and make power, beyond the basics of air, fuel, compression, and spark. In my opinion, the broader your mechanical knowledge and experience in all areas of mechanics, the more power you will have in your life and over your own finances. Whether it be the ability to fix your own power equipment, your home appliances, your car, your computer, or even your home or automotive HVAC systems, the more money you can potentially save yourself and possibly even earn by making repairs for others “on the side” or as a career. Finally, expanding your knowledge and ability in anything is good for your self esteem, self worth, and your confidence - and you just can’t put a price on that! Anyone that believes and that has ‘proven by doing’ that any sort of mechanical work is easy should considered themselves fortunate to have reached that level of ability, knowledge, and confidence. Some have raw talent and take to it quickly while others have struggled more and maintained the tenacity to stick to it and acquire their skills from very hard work.
The upper bearing goes first on those when run low or oil not changed. The GC engine is about as cheap as they come the old briggs will outlast it with abuse! But hey it has that Honda name on it and the masses shop labels and not much else! Honda originally had an excellent line up of equipment but once they went to the mass market and box stores they went to crap like the others.
To answer your question NO. It is not easy to diagnose and properly repair a mower. There are sometimes easy fixes. Sometimes you pull your hair out. I have been trying to fix my Honda mower with a GCV160 mower for the last 2 days. In Australia it is very difficult to get genuine Honda parts and when you can get them they are very expensive. That crazy Thermo Wax autochoke is nothing but problems. Add to that strange fuel line sizes and silly fuel line spring clips and as a DIYer you're in deep trouble quick!
In my years of working on my Snappers with older Briggs, I found usually the issues can be solved fairly easily, but of course not always. Keeping in mind the mowers are mine, I use them and I know them quite well. You're at a distinct disadvantage, as you have to rely on what the customer tells you about the symptoms, whether it's correct or not; you have no true idea whether the unit was cared for properly or not, and you don't know the unit and its habits. I suspect you're challenged frequently in ways not seen by those of us who fix our own stuff.
Its never easy, but 90% of the repairs are easy, the rest are a bear. That one seems to run fine just an oil change, or 2, and heavier weight oil if you prefer.
The people that think all mower repairs are easy have probably never worked on a 15 year old mower that has been stored under a tarp or left outdoors and has never had any maintenance done on it. They have never had to take a seized part off a crankshaft, clean a carb full of rust and algae, or deal with a Honda carb setup, lol.
As with cars, I've always said, "Oil is cheaper than an engine." Same goes for mowers and transmissions. No, it is not always easy to diagnose, nor is it to fix. When I say fix, I mean money. Happy New Year, and I love that I found your channel. ❤
good saying!
No better way to start off the new year than with a video from Inside House Garage. Great stuff, brother. Happy New Year 🎉
Happy new year!
I’ll say one thing I’ve worked on lawnmowers and weedeaters since I was little weedeaters are harder than lawnmowers to work on but chainsaws are by far the hardest to work on for me, but I’ve worked on cars for the past six years cars are quite a bit harder than small engines
agreed, the newer cars have now become quite complicated
Diagnosis is key to repairing mowers. A lot of people can replace faulty parts, but knowing what the problem is can be the difficult part.
well said
I've never torn lawn mower engine or a tractor engine down but I would share give it a try. Every engine that I've had I've always checked oil on lawn mower or tractor and none of my knock. THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO
no problem and thank you for your time!
Recoil springs can be a pain in the rear. And for people who think small engine repair is easy. Either don't know what they are doing, or don't do it right. When you watch it done it is always easier than doing it yourself.
I live your videos and I learn a lot . Thank you very much for your videos .
HAPPY NEW YEAR
thank you and Happy New Year as well!
Working on lawn equipment isn’t as simple and easy like some people might think. But me speaking on diagnose and repairing these engines is something I enjoy and love doing cause some repairs has its challenges.
well said
I think I have watched all your videos at least once, many more than once, since doing so gives me more confidence when I work on my own. I live on a small acreage and have 10 gas operated engines. In the past I either paid for maintenance, did a part of it myself, or let it slide longer than I should have. Since I am now retired and try to do all the maintenance, your videos have helped tremendously! I will say you make working on small engines look easy (for the most part) and I would guess if all people do is watch your videos they do actually think it’s easy, but I find it much more of a challenge once I get my hands dirty. Especially carb work on my chainsaws. As I get more experience it does get less difficult, and VERY rewarding. As long as you make videos I will be a fan. Happy New Year and thanks for all your efforts.
I do have to apologize. The editing I do , to keep the videos, to the point, makes it look easy. It's not hard, but yes, it's certainly not as easy as I show it to be on screen
I found Honda mowers in the garbage and the only thing i could find wrong with them was that the mowing deck was rusted out. I put the motors on a different mower and i still have one of them around that still runs great and going to replace the timing belt before the mowing season starts again. As long as i've been working on small engines i still find it kind of difficult to diagnose any issue on mowers, chainsaws or any small engines
nice, it seems that engine swap is working great for you.
One fault often overlooked is the spark plug. I heard about one guy who bought a brand new mower. One day, it wouldn’t start. None of his friends knew why. He later sent it to the tip. The guy who was running the tip at the time was a good friend of mine. He took the mower home, and put a new spark plug in it. Added fuel, checked the oil, then he started it. The mower fired up on first pull of the rope. Old mate scored a brand new mower for a $3.50 spark plug. As far as I know, that mower is still going. This was about 20 years ago.
wow very good find!
Fixing can be easy sometimes, but usually not! The best thing to avoid repairs is maintenance maintenance maintenance
Very true!
I'm convinced that we are born with certain abilities. When it comes to anything mechanical, i know enough to take it to someone else. I've made many very expensive mistakes in trying to fix my own equipment. I check the oil, air filter, etc. beyond that, it's off to the mechanic.
you and me both, I've made some terrible goofs in my time but I learn from them.
Usually the diagnosis is fairly easy, however, the repair can be very expensive, and difficult. Most people never adjust the valves in their OHV mowers and riders, I have seen some Honda engines become very difficult to start due to the valves being way to lose. Sometimes instead of .004 they can be .020 and nearly break you arm trying to start them. Happy New Year and thanks for the video.
thank you and Happy New Year to you too
Happy New Yeaar to you Sir!!! To respond to your question, diagnosinbg is only as good as the technicians experience. Most home owners would rather replace a mower than get higher prices from a repair shop. Like in this video, the homeowner did neglect the mower for a decade. A keen and experienced small engine person will find the issue rather quickly and even so, the repair may not be easy. In the rural area I reside in, there are very few repair shops and not all are reputable. As you mentioned, people shoudl ask around to get guidance. Maintaining your outdoor equipment is crucial in these times of uncertainty. I do as much as I can for my array of outdoor equipment based upon the videos such as yours to teach and provide sound rationales for you critical thinking skills. Many projects I take on are from wear and tear, or the occassional mishap but not enough to deter me. Many who watch your videos have found their self confidence to take on these jobs or maintanance rituals. Thanks to you and others like you, much equipment has been saved and more appreciated than in the past. Sorry this was long but I do mean all that I write. God Bless!!
couldn't agree more.
You are right no mower is easy I worked on Maney lawn mowers an other our door equipment an they are always a challenge the ones that have not been looked after in my opinion are the worse an not always repairable. Great video
Very true and thank you
Sometimes compression tests are inconclusive as Taryl found out with a Briggs and Stratton engine which he repaired under warranty,it needed a new piston & a set of new piston rings in it after they got stuck in the ring grooves.
He eventually used a cylinder leakdown tester to find out that there was excessive leakage past the piston rings.
That mower sounds like it has a rod Knock & it needs at least a new connecting rod !
unfortunately you can move the flywheel back and forth, so it's the upper crankshaft support that's making that sound.
I wish that I had taken more shop classes in school. Unfortunately, I didn't and don't know as much about mechanics (small and large engines) I learn from videos like this.
Yes, for people like me, without much experience, fixing mowers isn't easy.
agreed!
Hey bro what's up? Happy new year and I wish you all the best for 2024. I had to laugh out loud since I had a mower which I couldn't get parts for it and it just ended up a few minutes ago on a scrap truck.
thank you and Happy New Year to you too
HAPPY BRAND NEW YEAR and there's always something lurking around that needs to be done or will bite you later on. As the old rocket scientist said, it's always a trade off. The old deal about pay me now or pay me later holds true. My old 85 Snapper holds true that it don't have to be new to work. Seems like more folks are wising up to that fact as prices go higher and the dollar lost it's elasticity. Here's wishing you another great year fixing stuff and us treating ours well to keep it going! Blessings 2 U!
thank you and Happy New Year to you too
So far, so good for all of us!@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE
If possible, could you please make a video on replacing the clutch bearings on a Honda mower. I suspect my mower is suffering from the same problem after I used it once on wet grass. Since then it stalls as soon as I engage the blades.
yes I already did, there's a link to it, at the 1 minute mark of the video.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGEThank you and Happy New Year.
you too!
To answer this in my experience is not all repairs are an easy fix unless you right away sometimes not even that also one day u get a mower with a east fix and sell and one that might take a lil more time and money depending on the issue
good point
HAPPY NEW YEAR.Have a great 2024
thank you and Happy New Year to you too
Hello I have a Honda Mower HRR216. The self propelled doesn’t work, I adjusted the cable but nothing.
did you check to see if the belt was still on both pulleys?
I know the smoke was from leaning over, but it doesn’t sound right so I agree it will only last a year or two, even with high compression 😊
Oh it’s amazing when you replace the spark plug yearly.😊
yeah I was wonder if more people caught the mower leaning over .
Uh oh 1:19 broke the cardinal rule of mowers
Yep, you are correct
Happy New Year’s🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉Thank you for telling me this happy New Year’s🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊
Happy new year!!
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Thank you
anytime
😇
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Thank you
I am a retired auto engineer. With this mower, I would pull the engine off, take it apart, remove the crank, and replace the sleeve bearing on the top part of the crankcase. If I had to, I’d turn up a new one in my lathe.
great idea.
Good Lord 🤣
@@metoon3092 what’s so funny about my comment? Being smart is a bad idea here, especially with people like me watching and commenting. It is not hard to make engine parts if you know what you are doing, and you have the tools to do the job
There is no bearing on the top or bottom of the crank,it rides right on the aluminum. Like a Vega but cheaper.
@@MUUKOW3 crap. They have a sleeve bearing in them. I have pulled enough of them apart to know this, and replaced the sleeve bearings. Those mowers sold for close to $800 here in Australia. During my working life, I got about three or so a week to fix with the same problem.
I wouldn’t say that working on small engine equipment is “easy”; I think that the definition of easy is dependent on each individual’s skill and mechanical experience level. I would, however, say that small engine repair is a great way to start for a younger person or really anyone interested in learning about engines and repairs. The overall size of the machine, the number of parts inside it, and the amount and cost of tools and parts required to repair the most popular brands of small engines/equipment are a minimal investment compared to automotive, large truck, or other larger and more complex powertrains. Having had automotive knowledge before small engine experience, it is fair to say that there are some very stark differences in how each run and make power, beyond the basics of air, fuel, compression, and spark. In my opinion, the broader your mechanical knowledge and experience in all areas of mechanics, the more power you will have in your life and over your own finances. Whether it be the ability to fix your own power equipment, your home appliances, your car, your computer, or even your home or automotive HVAC systems, the more money you can potentially save yourself and possibly even earn by making repairs for others “on the side” or as a career. Finally, expanding your knowledge and ability in anything is good for your self esteem, self worth, and your confidence - and you just can’t put a price on that! Anyone that believes and that has ‘proven by doing’ that any sort of mechanical work is easy should considered themselves fortunate to have reached that level of ability, knowledge, and confidence. Some have raw talent and take to it quickly while others have struggled more and maintained the tenacity to stick to it and acquire their skills from very hard work.
couldn't agree more with this comment!
This mower has become a good retirement package for you
LOL... It has definitely been interesting for sure
The upper bearing goes first on those when run low or oil not changed. The GC engine is about as cheap as they come the old briggs will outlast it with abuse! But hey it has that Honda name on it and the masses shop labels and not much else! Honda originally had an excellent line up of equipment but once they went to the mass market and box stores they went to crap like the others.
you make a good point. I've never heard a Briggs have this problem when running low on oil
Im pretty sure the people saying that lawn mowers are easy to fix are the same people that call for a tow truck to change a flat tire.
LOL!! I think you're right
To answer your question NO. It is not easy to diagnose and properly repair a mower. There are sometimes easy fixes. Sometimes you pull your hair out. I have been trying to fix my Honda mower with a GCV160 mower for the last 2 days. In Australia it is very difficult to get genuine Honda parts and when you can get them they are very expensive. That crazy Thermo Wax autochoke is nothing but problems. Add to that strange fuel line sizes and silly fuel line spring clips and as a DIYer you're in deep trouble quick!
you are correct not having the right parts is a real pain.
I have about 3 extra of those engines just plop another on or buy a used one for very cheap
agreed
In my years of working on my Snappers with older Briggs, I found usually the issues can be solved fairly easily, but of course not always. Keeping in mind the mowers are mine, I use them and I know them quite well. You're at a distinct disadvantage, as you have to rely on what the customer tells you about the symptoms, whether it's correct or not; you have no true idea whether the unit was cared for properly or not, and you don't know the unit and its habits. I suspect you're challenged frequently in ways not seen by those of us who fix our own stuff.
you got that right, when it's not yours, it can be a real pain to fix.
I'll 2nd this one too!
💵💵💵💵 goes out of your wallet or Bank account when you don't do maintenance in your lawn care equipment
true
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE you got that right i.h
G
I always say, if you know it, it’s awfully simple , if you don’t know it , it’s simply awful 😂
LOL!!!
Its never easy, but 90% of the repairs are easy, the rest are a bear. That one seems to run fine just an oil change, or 2, and heavier weight oil if you prefer.
I couldn't have said it any better!
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE thanks👏
no problem
The people that think all mower repairs are easy have probably never worked on a 15 year old mower that has been stored under a tarp or left outdoors and has never had any maintenance done on it. They have never had to take a seized part off a crankshaft, clean a carb full of rust and algae, or deal with a Honda carb setup, lol.
you said it all!