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The 8-year old mower failed to start the other day a couple of months ago.
Figuring we got our money's worth, we shopped for a replacement.
$400+ for a new one.
Knowing they're not very complicated, but also, not knowing how to fix it, we took it to a repair place.
We figured that if it was fixable and cheaper than a new mower, we're money ahead.
They charged a $50 deposit to figure it out.
So we paid that $50 and they got back to us in a few days. $250 to repair the fuel system.
That's when I said to Harvey, "The $300 to fix it gets a 90 day warranty, $400 gets two years."
That's when Marv reminded me, "these things aren't that complicated, why don't you figure it out?"
There's dozens of youtube vids on how to remove the carburetor. Which, by the way, is the entire fuel system plus a tank and hose.
So I looked up what replacing the entire fuel system would cost.
$30 for a carb, air-filter, primer-bulb and associated gaskets. And the wrong spark plug, but hey; the old plug still works.
I'll change the oil tomorrow.
Geez, your bud is right. For a guy with no qualms dismantling a vette or other complex cars, mowers are dead nuts easy.
ReplyDeleteI usually take apart the carb and clean out all the passages with solvents and pipe cleaners or small cable ties that fit in the passageways. Even a copper wire on occasion. 9 of 10 times it is gummed up passages or the float/needle valve area that are stuck shut or open. If that does not fix it, the next step is a complete chinesium replacement. Those won't last as long as the original but for 20 to 30 bucks, another 4 or 5 years is doable. Lots of brake cleaner and elbow grease does it. Replace rubber lines and the pump prime bulb too. Check that the pickup filter inside the tank (if it has one) is not clogged, clean that too. Yee-haw!
I went with the Chinese carb, I'm planning on saving the old carb and cleaning it up and saving it for future use.
DeleteI just buy the cheap Chinese knock-off carbs. For the older Briggs like a couple of them that I have they are under $20. Its just too easy to replace them and even if they only last a couple years its cheap enough why bother doing it "right".
Delete-swj
Every fall the fuel system is treated with Staybil. If carb is acting up the following Spring, anything along the lines of brake cleaner takes care of the problem. First start of the season begins with heavy dose of starting fluid. If that doesn't work, the neighbor kid does. Brings his own mower. Cheap too.
ReplyDeleteThe reason we own a mower at all is the neighbor kid left for college. It's really strange living in one place for so long.
DeleteLove it. Small engines have been a hobby of mine for years. I am still using the 22 year old Craftsman mower I bought at Sears while I was stationed in Alaska. It is on its 4th blade, and second self propel axle.
ReplyDeleteJ.D. Brown