$20 lawnmower --- Should I go for it?
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check compression first!
JHZR2
Staff member
If you need one, why not?
The big question is what they did to try and "fix" it.
Pulling the spark plug and seeing how the piston moves when the starter is pulled should indicate connecting rod issues. Pulling the dipstick should indicate oil issues.
If neither, should likely be a gummed carburetor, which there are DIYs for how to clean them out on OPE on the internet...
The big question is what they did to try and "fix" it.
Pulling the spark plug and seeing how the piston moves when the starter is pulled should indicate connecting rod issues. Pulling the dipstick should indicate oil issues.
If neither, should likely be a gummed carburetor, which there are DIYs for how to clean them out on OPE on the internet...
how does it run?
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
If you need one, why not?
Ok, another question. If you want a project and aren't too worried about the $20, then why not?
After all, not much to a Briggs and 1st guess would be carb/bad gas.
If you need one, why not?
Ok, another question. If you want a project and aren't too worried about the $20, then why not?
After all, not much to a Briggs and 1st guess would be carb/bad gas.
Get it! I just cleaned bad gas out of a couple.
Where the carb screws to the gas tank there's a small "puddle" that fills with emulsified gas/alcohol/water. Usually a yucky yellow mess with clear bubbles.
I macgyver fixed one on a resort island-- no hardware stores, no gas stations. Just dumped the teaspoon of wet bad gas back in the tank, used a bread tie wire to clear out the visible carb jets, slapped her back together, good to go!
The other failure point is the deadman switch, which gets rusty and inoperative faster than the rest of the mower. May be fixable with PB blaster etc.
Think of the hills you could conquer that you wouldn't have to worry or care about oil starvation. Think of the brush hogging you could do!
Where the carb screws to the gas tank there's a small "puddle" that fills with emulsified gas/alcohol/water. Usually a yucky yellow mess with clear bubbles.
I macgyver fixed one on a resort island-- no hardware stores, no gas stations. Just dumped the teaspoon of wet bad gas back in the tank, used a bread tie wire to clear out the visible carb jets, slapped her back together, good to go!
The other failure point is the deadman switch, which gets rusty and inoperative faster than the rest of the mower. May be fixable with PB blaster etc.
Think of the hills you could conquer that you wouldn't have to worry or care about oil starvation. Think of the brush hogging you could do!
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Honda_Fan
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
If you need one, why not?
Ok, another question. If you want a project and aren't too worried about the $20, then why not?
After all, not much to a Briggs and 1st guess would be carb/bad gas.
+1. If you want a project, buy it, learn on it, then if successful, sell it for $50. If failed, you've only lost $20 plus the stuff you buy to attempt a fix...
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
If you need one, why not?
Ok, another question. If you want a project and aren't too worried about the $20, then why not?
After all, not much to a Briggs and 1st guess would be carb/bad gas.
+1. If you want a project, buy it, learn on it, then if successful, sell it for $50. If failed, you've only lost $20 plus the stuff you buy to attempt a fix...
It could be something as simple as a stuck diaphragm, a $2 fix.
Since it's so new, it's at least worth it for the parts if you may need them. As long as the engine isn't seized I would buy it.
Since it's so new, it's at least worth it for the parts if you may need them. As long as the engine isn't seized I would buy it.
I agree with TFB1 - My mom had a $400 John Deere push mower and it wouldnt run. I told her to put in a new air filter since her property is very dry/dusty. Instead her husband decided to drive 120 miles to get the mower, bring it back to Richmond to an "authorized JD dealer", who checked it out then put in a new air filter and it ran great. Husband then had to drive it back 120 miles.
I am the neighborhood mower mechanic and 90% of the problems are air filter related.
I am the neighborhood mower mechanic and 90% of the problems are air filter related.
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