Replace engine or just buy another mower?

[ToyotaNSaturn]

6 1/2 year old B&S powered Yard King, Murray off-brand, typical walk-behind, rear-bag, self-propelled model. Except it's exhaust is too rich and I smell like gasoline when I'm done with the yard. My lungs are irritated by the amount of gas in the exhaust fumes. Just a typical 250 hour el-cheapo engine IMO.

I was looking at end of year deals on a new mower, but there are none 'round here.

So, how much should one pay for a new engine? This one has a 6.5 B&S Quantum engine on it. Are Tecumseh's any better?

 

[Tom_T]

It sounds like you just have a carburetor problem. Grab a rebuild kit off ebay and have at it. If you totally mess it up then buy another mower. A wise man may realize that time is money and just skip to buying another mower. Not being so wise and enjoying a challange, I would end up spending twice what a quality mower would cost and tinker to death what I had. That's just me and I call them learning experiences.

Hint: If it's a float carburetor replace the inlet valve and clean the seat with a Q-tip.

Hint: Tulsa Engine Warehouse

 

[JustinH]

Buy a walmart motor with a honda motor in it and call it a day.

 

[Olive1465]

why not just fix that one it will be cheaper than buying a new one or new motor. the way you describe it it sounds like a carb problem it just needs a rebuild kit

 

[Maritime Storm]

As mentioned, sounds like the carb needs some atttention.

 

[yeehaw1960]

How's your air filter? If it's clogged a little, the motor will run OK, but will run rich. If I remember right, there won't be an air mixture screw on that one. Go Tulsa Engine Warehouse!

 

[JTK]

Are there tons of hours on it? Has it always smelled rich? Does it run well? IMO, flat heads always stink a bit more than OHV engines, but really, all OPE engines do. My 2005 Kohler Command 20hp will gas you out of the garage in seconds. An a/f, carb cleaning and sparkplug changeout would be a good way to start with your mower.

 

[Lonnie]

Get someone in S/Cal to buy a Champion 6.5hp engine at Costco for $49 and ship it to you.

 

[JTK]

Hehee.. There you go Lonnie! I think those babies are horizontal shafters though. TnS would Really have to Frankenstein that mower to get it to work.

Joel

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Thanks for all the feedback!! The mower ran great for the most part. It always started, cut nice with a decent blade...the usual for a run of the mill lawnmower.

I sold it a garage sale last weekend. Today I bought a Toro 3-n-1 self-propelled unit with a 6.5HP Tecumseh engine. It The price at Lowes was $299 but with all the discount cards & coupons we had, it only ran $191 +tax.

I have to say this is a MUCH better quality product. The self-propelling is a few notches quicker. It cuts more thoroughly in that in cuts the grass much finer. Better under carriage suction...even the grass that hung over the sidewalk was sucked in and cut--something the old mower could not do.

All in all, I'm very pleased!

Oh, and I put GC in the there right away. Anyone want the container of straight 30wt that came with the mower? (G-man...

)

 

[steve20]

you will continue to love the Toro - I do. May even put it in my will. Pennzoil straight 30 wt all the way

 

[Camu Mahubah]

I'll take the straight 30w!...that's good oil!...We have seen a UOA of that stuff!...stout additive package!...

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

So far so good on the mower. The only caveat is that it does not like to mulch wet grass. Other than that, it's an really good mower.

GC is the only oil that this engine has seen in it's half-dozen cuts. Changed it after the 3th mow.

My father in law was right, he said Toro mowers were good. I agree.

 

[njcruiser]

I think all new mowers are good when compared to what it has replaced. NOt sure what I will go with, but I will keep Toro in mind.
I am surprised my craftsman b&s mower is still going after 7 mowing seasons. I only paid 279.00. If it dies tomorrow I still think it has done well. I estimate I have about 210 hrs on it, so this may be the last year if the 250hr "Standard" holds true.
Still mulches decent although I am going to sharpen the blade for this year.

 

[JTK]

Harbor Freight offers flat-head Briggs 6.5's for repowering a push mower for ~$150. Or, slap a Grey Hound on it! http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96156

Joel

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I bought an MTD Yard Machine w/ B&S engine from Lowes in 2000, still going strong. I think the secret is to change the oil, clean the filter, and sharpen the blades every season. Mine can still cut the front and back on one tank of gas.

Sadly, it was my first house and first mower, so I bought the cheapest one (no bagger and no power wheels). A few years ago I bought a side bag kit for it, but it's a nuissance to put on. Just can't bring myself to get rid of a perfectly good mower.