10 years after your original post, here I am with the exact same mower and the exact same problem. Great video... it's passed the test of time! Thanks!!
I'm so glad that you set valves the same way I have done it for 40 years, all this finding TDC and the screw driver in the plug hole is a big waist of time,. That's one big ATTA boy for doing valve adjustments old school style.
Don, And again your videos are the best. No silly music, straight to the point and mostly, you speak VERY clearly . We appreciate your knowledge and mechanical skills greatly. You always stress sagety wjich is always needed around very dangerous equipment. Please keep you videos coming.
Dony, I just wanted to let you know that this video helped me fix a starting problem that I was having with a Honda knockoff engine on my tiller. One of the rocker arms was so loose that it was off to the side. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful videos. While there are a lot of RUclips contributors for small engine repair I know that I can trust what you say. Thanks again. Blessings to you and your family
Thanks for the video. I have the same mower in the SP version, same engine. After some serious internet searching, I found the MTD shop manual for it. It recommends 0.003-0.005" for the intake (top) valve, and 0.005-0.007" for the exhaust (bottom) valve. Your videos have really allowed me to educate myself on maintenance and repair of small engine equipment, to the point that I can help out friends and neighbours to keep their equipment in good shape. We all thank you.
Thanks!!!! I have this same model of mower and I've been surfing the web, asking repair men, even had it in a repair shop and they never could fix it! After watching your video and 10 minutes I was back in business!! Thanks again!
Your video was a big help! I have a Honda HRZ 216 that wasn't starting. Had good spark and fuel. The valve clearances were way loose. I tightened both to .004 like you did in the video and it purrs like a kitten now! Thanks for posting.
Great video. Right to the point. Simple and easy to understand. Used technique to set valves on Honda GVX engine. Starts with ease now. Thanks so much.
The adjusting the valve clearance, you do exactly how I do for years. Not by bringing piston in TDC. Some of these cubcadet engine comes without the auto compression release. What a recoil some time!! Long back I injured my hand. Even now I get pain on my under shoulder. The issue with the push rod guide, I pinch a 8mm nut to oval and brace it to the plate. No engine spares are here in Kuwait. It will last till the life of the engine. Not a quality work. But worked.
You should add, "Solve Snapback - Not Key" to the title. I searched for a solution to my Cub's snapback forever after I found the key in perfect condition until I started to suspect the valve timing and found your video. I did just as you demonstrated and now it is back to operating perfectly. - Tina's Husband Curtis
really nice video Don! you always explain things very well, so even the people who don't live in canada or the usa can easily understand you. your videos are great man :)
Thank you so much for this video. My dad has the same model and he hit something while cutting his law and the engine was doing major kick backs. I replaced the flywheel key and still major kick backs so o followed this video and now it's running smoothly again.
I love the video and how easy it was to do that adjustment on the valves and I probably need to check that on one of my mowers. Thanks for the video tip and I will remember it. I hope you and your family have a nice weekend and it isn't cool there yet. We are still having hot days here in Arkansas where you perspire like we did in July.
Dony i repaired a Troy Bilt here a while back with the same engine.It had a blown head gasket.Went to order 1 and discovered that there were none to be found in the States.I searched the internet with no luck in finding 1.Had my local MTD dealer order it and i finally got 3 months later.Customer was calling like everyday,man it was a pain.The only nice thing about it was it came as a kit which included the head gasket,rocker cover gasket,head bolts,and the valve seal.Just a little story i thought i would share with you.Later
Your videos are very helpful and your comments are very helpful also. I think I will start doing some repairs on my lawnmower before the season starts. Thanks for your inspiration.
Great video but to all that's watching the stud may turn and you need to tighten the stud before you make any adjustments or you'll never get it set right !
dony, I have seen a lot of your videos and they are absolutely fantastic. Are going to get into dirt bikes at all? We need someone like you in the dirt bike world. thanks for your valuable videos.
Hi Don. Been watching a lot of your older videos. You look a little younger in them 😊. I do like the way you get straight onto to problem with no mucking around. Cheers 🦘🇦🇺
wow, i didnt know this was the issue with my riding mower,..... the first crank was always really hard to turn over.. works great now tho thx don!! cheers
brilliant, my old honda 214 has been tough to pull over, tried taking the recoil apart a couple of times and it didn't fix it so i think this will solve it hopefully. thanks
very good video! on one of my b/s engines I had to go by the method of ccw rotation + 1/4" down stroke of the piston, adjust both tappets there because there must be some thing slightly touching one of the push rod paddles. now it appears to be ok. talk about hard to start I could pick up the whole mower because of the maladjustment, regards
I don't know if this was mentioned in another video so I apologize for repeating it. The reason he sets the lash in steps and tightens the keeper nut is because the keeper locks the adjuster by pressing it against the stud threads. This make the valve lash smaller than when the nut is loose and he gets a true reading. If you have a lot of lash you can use around an 0.006 feeler and spin the adjuster until snug. Lock the keeper down and check with a 0.004. You should be in the ballpark.
hi, this is one way to adjust the valves, in my latest video I do it the way you mentioned. best to follow the manual's recommendations, if it was too hard to pull then I would go to .004
Another great video Dony ! when i purchase any new mowers , snow blowers or any power equipment the first thing i look at is the engine. I won't buy anything unless it's a trusted brand name like briggs & stratton , kohler etc. it may cost more but in the long run you save money i just don't trust those chineese throw away motors !
Hi Don! Thanks for the vid, very helpful. I just inherited this model, with no documention. I've been searching online with no luck finding the valve lash gap and the air gap. Thanks for helping with the valves. Do you also happen to know the air gap? It seems like the documentation on this chinese engine is non-existent.
I find it easier to turn the crank until valve overlap on the compression stroke and then turn one more revolution and adjust both valves. But that is my preference. Dony's way works just as well. :)
i took a riding mower to a shop for valve adjustments.....it worked great........6 weeks later same thing happens....they said this time it was the camshaft needed replacing......how can you tell when it's the cam......btw.....it was a 9 yr old 15.5 hp Murray i'd bought new and this was the first time i' had ever had an engine issue with it
I have a B&S 22 hp V-Twin. Does the same method - of opening one valve on one cylinder while adjusting the other - the same on the V-Twin as the single cylinder?
I'm working on a mower just got it today and it is over 10 years old and sat all of those years how do you think I should tackle that to get it running
Thank you very much. Is it that easy to do on a Briggs and Stratton 375? My friends has the same complaint. It does try to start and with a lot of pulling it does start. Eventually. Your videos are great tutorials.
Do you have a video of a flywheel key replacement?
here it is ruclips.net/video/FwBMBRk852M/видео.html
Thank you!
You're the best small engines guy on RUclips, hands down.
10 years after your original post, here I am with the exact same mower and the exact same problem. Great video... it's passed the test of time! Thanks!!
Thank you for the video. It helps me adjusting my Briggs and Stratton OHV.
I'm so glad that you set valves the same way I have done it for 40 years, all this finding TDC and the screw driver in the plug hole is a big waist of time,. That's one big ATTA boy for doing valve adjustments old school style.
Don, And again your videos are the best. No silly music, straight to the point and mostly, you speak VERY clearly . We appreciate your knowledge and mechanical skills greatly. You always stress sagety wjich is always needed around very dangerous equipment. Please keep you videos coming.
Dony, I just wanted to let you know that this video helped me fix a starting problem that I was having with a Honda knockoff engine on my tiller. One of the rocker arms was so loose that it was off to the side.
Thanks so much for all of your wonderful videos. While there are a lot of RUclips contributors for small engine repair I know that I can trust what you say.
Thanks again. Blessings to you and your family
I don't have a lawnmower I just find your videos interesting :-)
Thanks for the video. I have the same mower in the SP version, same engine. After some serious internet searching, I found the MTD shop manual for it. It recommends 0.003-0.005" for the intake (top) valve, and 0.005-0.007" for the exhaust (bottom) valve.
Your videos have really allowed me to educate myself on maintenance and repair of small engine equipment, to the point that I can help out friends and neighbours to keep their equipment in good shape. We all thank you.
parts list 1.gauges 2.black rtv silicone tools 1.wrenches
ALSO check for damaged parts. got it thanks for the video! keep doing a great job Dony!
Thanks!!!! I have this same model of mower and I've been surfing the web, asking repair men, even had it in a repair shop and they never could fix it! After watching your video and 10 minutes I was back in business!! Thanks again!
Nice job Donny. You make it so simple for your viewers.
Your video was a big help! I have a Honda HRZ 216 that wasn't starting. Had good spark and fuel. The valve clearances were way loose. I tightened both to .004 like you did in the video and it purrs like a kitten now! Thanks for posting.
Great video. Right to the point. Simple and easy to understand. Used technique to set valves on Honda
GVX engine. Starts with ease now. Thanks so much.
The adjusting the valve clearance, you do exactly how I do for years. Not by bringing piston in TDC. Some of these cubcadet engine comes without the auto compression release. What a recoil some time!! Long back I injured my hand. Even now I get pain on my under shoulder. The issue with the push rod guide, I pinch a 8mm nut to oval and brace it to the plate. No engine spares are here in Kuwait. It will last till the life of the engine. Not a quality work. But worked.
You should add, "Solve Snapback - Not Key" to the title. I searched for a solution to my Cub's snapback forever after I found the key in perfect condition until I started to suspect the valve timing and found your video. I did just as you demonstrated and now it is back to operating perfectly. - Tina's Husband Curtis
really nice video Don! you always explain things very well, so even the people who don't live in canada or the usa can easily understand you. your videos are great man :)
that was the fix for my valves, now my lawnmower is working,and easy to pull over thanks Dony Art in Alberta
I did this recently it made a huge difference!
Thank you so much for this video. My dad has the same model and he hit something while cutting his law and the engine was doing major kick backs. I replaced the flywheel key and still major kick backs so o followed this video and now it's running smoothly again.
Donyboy, You're videos are the best. The detail you give is easy to understand. Thanks for posting these videos.
best lawn mower repair channel on tube bar none. auto TU
I love the video and how easy it was to do that adjustment on the valves and I probably need to check that on one of my mowers. Thanks for the video tip and I will remember it. I hope you and your family have a nice weekend and it isn't cool there yet. We are still having hot days here in Arkansas where you perspire like we did in July.
Dony i repaired a Troy Bilt here a while back with the same engine.It had a blown head gasket.Went to order 1 and discovered that there were none to be found in the States.I searched the internet with no luck in finding 1.Had my local MTD dealer order it and i finally got 3 months later.Customer was calling like everyday,man it was a pain.The only nice thing about it was it came as a kit which included the head gasket,rocker cover gasket,head bolts,and the valve seal.Just a little story i thought i would share with you.Later
Thank you so much for ALL of your videos. Thoroughly enjoy them and learning a lot.
I just saw your video and you are a MASTER !!!
Your videos are very helpful and your comments are very helpful also. I think I will start doing some repairs on my lawnmower before the season starts. Thanks for your inspiration.
i have that exact mower and followed ur procedure and i can now start it AND keep my arm intact lol thx again fer another great vid donyboy
Great vid. Something that more people should know how to do. But if they want to set them out at the curb I'll keep picking them up.
Well done sir. Detailed and to the point. Thanks!
That looks and sounds like a pretty decent engine.
I did this on my INTEK V-Twin and it runs nice. Thanks.
Great video but to all that's watching the stud may turn and you need to tighten the stud before you make any adjustments or you'll never get it set right !
thanks, I will start mentioning tools required for each video
thanks man, greetings from Canada!
Hello David, your video is among the best I've seen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such an effective way!
dony, I have seen a lot of your videos and they are absolutely fantastic. Are going to get into dirt bikes at all? We need someone like you in the dirt bike world.
thanks for your valuable videos.
Nice job and easy to follow guidance. Good close up photography for ease of visual clarity. Thanks for sharing!!
Glad it was helpful!
You should tell the woman to just have her husband mow the yard. Ha! Thanks another good informative tip.
Thanks my problem is fixed
Hi Don. Been watching a lot of your older videos. You look a little younger in them 😊. I do like the way you get straight onto to problem with no mucking around. Cheers 🦘🇦🇺
Thanks for the info 👍 I can fix my mower hopefully!
Yes thank you
thanks for watching
yes on a lot of them it works perfectly
wow, i didnt know this was the issue with my riding mower,..... the first crank was always really hard to turn over.. works great now tho thx don!! cheers
brilliant, my old honda 214 has been tough to pull over, tried taking the recoil apart a couple of times and it didn't fix it so i think this will solve it hopefully. thanks
simple the best. thank you very much sr
Another good video, thanks Don
Well I hope your wife gets better and remember to never lose hope.
I've learned something new today! Such a great job you do for us all! Thanks as always!
Have a Smashing weekend!
have a good weekend pete!
Great video Dony! Best I've seen on valve adjustments. Thanks so much!
thanks
very good video! on one of my b/s engines I had to go by the method of ccw rotation + 1/4" down stroke of the piston, adjust both tappets there because there must be some thing slightly touching one of the push rod paddles. now it appears to be ok. talk about hard to start I could pick up the whole mower because of the maladjustment, regards
I don't know if this was mentioned in another video so I apologize for repeating it. The reason he sets the lash in steps and tightens the keeper nut is because the keeper locks the adjuster by pressing it against the stud threads. This make the valve lash smaller than when the nut is loose and he gets a true reading. If you have a lot of lash you can use around an 0.006 feeler and spin the adjuster until snug. Lock the keeper down and check with a 0.004. You should be in the ballpark.
hi, this is one way to adjust the valves, in my latest video I do it the way you mentioned. best to follow the manual's recommendations, if it was too hard to pull then I would go to .004
thanks for watching!
in general yes for most lawnmowers
Heh, good! Aunt may's been wanting me to fix those valves for 3 days now
great vid dony u teach me new things on every video u make :)
If you take out the spark plug, it will be easier to turn the engine for adjusting gaps and also see the condition of the plug.
Another great video Dony ! when i purchase any new mowers , snow blowers or any power equipment the first thing i look at is the engine. I won't buy anything unless it's a trusted brand name like briggs & stratton , kohler etc. it may cost more but in the long run you save money i just don't trust those chineese throw away motors !
Thank you for another quality video!
Great video, Thanks for the Knowledge.
Great video! Very clear and easy to follow!
I wanna know how the guy who owns this mower gets his wife to cut the grass.
Great video, Dony!
Did you let the RTV cure for 24 hours before you put in service ?
gr8 vid, I have never had to adjust one on a mower, but good to know, do you have video on a Flathead briggs quantum engine .
tip to those of you who don't have a set of feeler gauges: Printer paper and post it notes are also .004 thick and make good shims.
Thanks for the video, very much appreciated.
Super informative. Have a good weekend Don.
On my Cub cadet 159cc it's 10 for the intake and 15 for the exhaust I need to check mine.
Thanks working good now great 👍
Nice tutorial Dony. Have a great weekend.
you're welcome
yes similar
thanks tom!
Thanks Don for an excellent video!
Nice an though doc , thought you would put it up on the mo-jack table. Best. TU
thanks
Hi Don!
Thanks for the vid, very helpful. I just inherited this model, with no documention. I've been searching online with no luck finding the valve lash gap and the air gap. Thanks for helping with the valves. Do you also happen to know the air gap? It seems like the documentation on this chinese engine is non-existent.
yes very similar
dude absolutely great video!!!!!!!
thanks bear
yes from MTD
you can, the parts here were a bit oily anyways but good question
thanks man
The small part in the back was the most difficult looking of the entire repair. I can't believe you didn't show that part and just skimmed over it
I find it easier to turn the crank until valve overlap on the compression stroke and then turn one more revolution and adjust both valves. But that is my preference. Dony's way works just as well. :)
yes that is one way I will show in another video
I have done it both ways Dony, I didn't know about the Valve Overlap until I went to school this past year.
merci
Many thanks Don.
pretty well yes
i took a riding mower to a shop for valve adjustments.....it worked great........6 weeks later same thing happens....they said this time it was the camshaft needed replacing......how can you tell when it's the cam......btw.....it was a 9 yr old 15.5 hp Murray i'd bought new and this was the first time i' had ever had an engine issue with it
Thamks Don once again , VERY helpful !!
I have a B&S 22 hp V-Twin. Does the same method - of opening one valve on one cylinder while adjusting the other - the same on the V-Twin as the single cylinder?
When measuring the lash do you push the rocker arm down on the rod (right side from our view). Mine pivots on the nut
I'm working on a mower just got it today and it is over 10 years old and sat all of those years how do you think I should tackle that to get it running
Your videos are great. Thanks!
thanks for asking, she is still very ill and debilitated,
Darn good video man
Thank you very much. Is it that easy to do on a Briggs and Stratton 375? My friends has the same complaint. It does try to start and with a lot of pulling it does start. Eventually. Your videos are great tutorials.