Customer's Lawnmower Runs Poorly - Step By Step Repair With Donyboy73!

Lawnmower Runs Poorly After Putting Gas In It - Step By Step Repair With Donyboy73!
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I have easy to follow and thorough step by step tutorials "do it yourself" (DIY) videos to help you with your broken lawn and garden equipment including snowblowers and zero turn mowers.
I do my best to teach you how to easily diagnose problems the fastest, quickest and most efficient way with real repairs beyond just replacing a spark plug. These tips are for both the homeowner and shop owner.
Whether it be a handheld, two stroke, two cycle engine like a chainsaw, weed eater, weed whacker, string trimmer, grass trimmer, line trimmer, hedge trimmer, strimmer, brush cutter, leaf blower, or four stroke, four cycle units like a lawnmower, wood splitter, lawn tractor, zero turn mower, snowblower, pressure washer, generator or a ride on mower that needs parts installed or replaced, I’m your go-to guy.
My favorite brands of spark plugs are NGK and Champion and are the ones I recommend.
I’ve been a small engine mechanic for many decades and also run my own repair shop so my videos are loaded with tips and tricks that I have learned and want to share with you. You will also find many tool and product reviews from top brands on my channel as well.
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Due to factors beyond the control of DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor”, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor” assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor” recommends safe practices when working with power tools, hand tools, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor”, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not DONYBOY73 “The Small Engine Doctor".
Tengo tutoriales paso a paso fáciles de seguir y completos, videos de "hágalo usted mismo" (DIY) para ayudarlo con su equipo de jardín y césped roto, incluidos quitanieves y cortadoras de giro cero.
Hago todo lo posible para enseñarle cómo diagnosticar fácilmente problemas de la manera más rápida, rápida y eficiente con reparaciones reales más allá de simplemente reemplazar una bujía. Estos consejos son tanto para el dueño de la casa como para el dueño de la tienda.
Ya sea un motor manual de dos tiempos y dos ciclos como una motosierra, un desmalezador, un desmalezador, una cortadora de hilo, una cortadora de césped, una cortadora de hilo, una cortadora de setos, una podadora, una desbrozadora, un soplador de hojas o unidades de cuatro tiempos y cuatro ciclos como una cortadora de césped, una cortadora de leña, un tractor cortacésped, una cortadora de césped de giro cero, una sopladora de nieve, una lavadora a presión, un generador o una cortadora de césped que necesita que se instalen o reemplacen piezas, soy su persona indicada.
He sido mecánico de motores pequeños durante muchas décadas y también dirijo mi propio taller de reparación, por lo que mis videos están repletos de consejos y trucos que he aprendido y quiero compartir con ustedes. También encontrará muchas revisiones de herramientas y productos de las mejores marcas en mi canal.
#donyboy73 #howto #smallenginerepair

[@donyboy73]

🔻WATCH NEXT🔻 ➡Lawnmower back in the shop after a service. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmXQiYSFfM1kbZY

[@henerker]

"As simple as that..." as Donyboy says. Old gas = no good. He once again showed us what to do to save us money. For sure, we can do this ourselves. Thanks, Don! Nice job!!

[@alang.4570]

I like these types of easy fixes!

[@anonanon7235]

Thumbs up and comment for the sick DIY fuel slide!

[@mariocestra1156]

It never amazes me the silly decisions some people make with their equipment and then complain that it doesn’t work well.

[@philherrick7319]

It ALWAYS amazes me

[@Francisco-sx7th]

Thanks for the video, It makes sense to not spare on gas quality. It's always cheaper than repair. I can't believe all mowers will be electric in Canada...one more reason to make good maintenance and keep old mowers in good shape.

[@georgedavall9449]

Indeed! Good comment. Yeah, battery this and battery that. I am intrigued with batteries for tools and cameras, etc, but still have my doubts when it comes to larger applications? I bring my EGO 5.0 Ah battery in after using it in my blower, and stick it on the charger, and it has to sit there for quite awhile until it will start charging, due to the heat in the cells. I realize this is normal, but it adds time to the usage of whatever device it is us dead in. Imagine taking three times as long to mow a large lawn! Of course buying an extra battery or two would help to solve that dilemma, but at what cost! Peace

[@Silverface1987]

I have my 25 year old plastic deck Honda that I passed on to my son in law. I told him ,if he gets a new one,I want the old one back.😄. I bought a new Honda mower,this one with a battery start option. I’m getting older and wiser, plus I wanted a last Honda made mower. Best mower ever…my battery leaf blower, edger has two batteries, one I use, when that goes dead, I use the other one, but I never charge a battery immediately after using it, I let the cells calm down

[@mrodriguez5259]

Pronto es una nueva ley en California ya no las permiten y en algunos estados pronto como 2024

[@Francisco-sx7th]

Vivo en Bélgica y aquí sólo hablamos de coches electricos en este momento.

[@trumpzilla4193]

Thank-you for another small engine class!

[@donyboy73]

More to come!

[@John-cb6wn]

Best on the internet

[@spelunkerd]

Another wise and excellent demo, Dony! The paradox of ethanol is the way alcohol make water more miscible in fuel, not less. This is why alcohol is a component of all fuel stabilizing mixtures, because it dissolves water in the fuel, reducing the high water concentration at the bottom of the tank where the fuel pump draws it into the carb. Engines can take some water as long as it is dissolved and diluted. A big swig of straight water from the bottom of the tank will cause the engine to choke and gasp. That water comes from dew condensing inside the tank when the outside temp drops below the dew point. Dew slides down the inner sidewall of the tank, then drops below the fuel because it is more dense. So the usual advice is to keep fuel tanks completely full through the winter to occupy the air volume trapped above the fuel. Or, keep it completely empty and drain or evaporate any water that collects in the spring before adding new fuel.

[@chuckuu9294]

Thanks Dony. Always great to watch you at work. Sharing your knowledge with us.

[@donyboy73]

My pleasure

[@timmoore8036]

Good video Don! Your troubleshooting and repair is always spot on! Thanks for all you do!

[@bigteeist]

Thanks for posting another great video ❤

[@paulfroese1469]

Another real good one Donyboy 73!! 😊

[@Funsho97]

Really good information in this video. I use only 90 octane ethanol free fuel in my lawn equipment and it keeps my machines running fantastic. It is readily available where I live and even the gas station at the Walmart sells the stuff. Lol. Good tips on how to clean a mower also and how to drain all of the fuel for winter prep. 👍👍👍

[@jiminycricket2230]

I recently got a free non working mower and the carb was completely full of water. Little wonder it wouldn't start. Easy fix for me and sold it for $50. Thats almost free money 😊

[@deanmoore420]

Nice work 👍good job

[@trcass1]

great segment. good advice for all gas engines. i have a cub cadet i just changed the belt and replaced the blade brake. not a fun task. i've gone to ethanol free gas in all my gas powered items. well worth the price when compared to frustration and repair bills. thanks for sharing.

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@JSchrumm]

Dry as a whistle clear as a bone, great job Donyboy.

[@tomfillmore9710]

Thanks as usual great information and video take care have a great weekend

[@paullemay3218]

The Petrocan station by Home Depot in Huntsville still has ethanol free gasoline.

[@gordbaker896]

I believe that in Canada due to Bureaucratic Stupidity in February , all pumps must now have Ethanol content. No warning.

[@mman2216]

Great video you make it look so easy 😊

[@1beltfed]

Good stuff. I've used up about all of the ethanol fuel I had stored and only buy non-ethanol now even though I have to travel a distance to get it. I'll never be going to an electric mower, should be able to keep my push mower and riding mower for my lifetime.

[@k9under]

Gotta save the polar bears.

[@cottydry]

If you can't find non Ethanol, another option is AVGAS 100LL from a small airfield. It's way cheaper than canned fuel. (about $7/gal here in the PNW)

[@mjg263]

That’s what I use for the last tank of gas before storing all of my 4 cycle gas powered stuff, and I always use it for mixing the 50:1 for my 2 cycle equipment. Never had to rebuild or replace a carburetor, diaphragm or hoses in any of it after all these years.

[@skorpyo331]

Exactly my problem

[@YukonHawk1]

Basic maintenance 101. People just ignore that and the owners manual. It's so simply.

[@liljoeii6091]

Thank you for the video

[@donz6901]

Good video Don. I have heard you say before manufacturing companies will go all electric and this much I know. I have a four year old Honda HRX217VKA that I love and hate to hear they are discontinued. How will that affect your small engine repair business? Hopefully, it will be many years before you feel the effects. Keep up the great videos. Don from Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA

[@harrygrimley4352]

Great job.

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks Dony

[@annierenard5954]

good video, thank you

[@roberthamilton9123]

well done Don a quick power wash & the mower looks new bud 👍 simple green is one of the best cleaning products sir job well done 👍

[@100vg]

E0 Regular is available here at $0.30 more per gallon than E15, so that's what I use in all my 4-stroke small engine devices AND in my 1995 Mercury Cougar 4.6L V8. Any gas/petrol vehicle older than 2011 MUST use E0 or internal components won't last long at all. Same for all small engines. I do not want an electric mower and will avoid them as long as I can. Same for EVs of all types. Another easy fix with a great, detailed procedure and remedy. It's amazing how quickly gas/petrol goes bad. Thanks, Don.

[@kennethromeo7711]

Good Job!!!

[@samrugtiv3839]

Real good job.

[@tonym6920]

I’ve been using K100 fuel additive for years, never an issue with the fuel (89 Octane). Thanks for the vid Dony! 👍👍

[@beachbums2008]

Simple green is a great product. I even use it in an ultrasound cleaning machine!

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍.Thanks

[@ChuckD59]

Thanks again, dony. We're lucky to have a steady sypply of the non-ethanol in my area. It's all my 8 year old car has ever had. And we pay a king's ransom for it too. Does the non-ethanol make a stabilizer unnecessary for, say, for a seasonal engine like a snowblower? I've heard this elsewhere.

[@donyboy73]

It's not needed as much but for longer periods of storage it is supposed to help preserve the gas.

[@beachbums2008]

Great video keep them coming to Pittsburgh Pa Your rock Donny Boy!!!

[@demcomp]

Sneaky thing about fuel in Canada.. it all has Ethanol. Another sneaky thing.. if you mix pump fuel with water, it seperates the ethanol from the fuel.. and what's floating on top...? Ethanol free fuel. Just drain off that fuel, leave the water behind, filter it, put it back in the mower, and cut with ethanol free fuel without paying thru the nose for canned stuff

[@jamesc9327]

Excellent video Dony, it looks like you uploaded this video around 3 a.m. hope all is well my friend.

[@sgnt9337]

That mower cleaned up nicely! Thankfully, 93 Octane ethanol free gas is still available where I live. That's what I use nowadays.

[@scooby196I]

question: when a mower is hard to start when cold, but easy to start up again once the engine is warm, what causes that?

[@fredhart7904]

I used canned fuel in my my small engines, starts much better, also use sea foam additive, Mower looked great after washing, but I am old school my mower probably would never start again if I washed it off, I just spray winded or something like it on mower and wipe clean Enjoy your videos,

[@ristomattikolsi5711]

In Finland we have small engine fuel (2 and 4 stroke options) Totally ethanol free. The new fully synthetic "electric fuel" should also come at some point.

[@stanimir4197]

which one is that? the standard 98 [standard for the EU: EN 228 ] is required to have less than 5% ethanol [EN 15376], so in the EU getting good fuel is rather trivial. 98 octane costs like 5c more than 95 (per liter).

[@ToyotatechDK]

NowTHATS a lot of water

[@scottmclagan4276]

Yeesh... you can almost see critters, amoeba, and who knows what growing in that fuel. Great vid, Dony, thanks.

[@johnmckee7937]

A lawn mower repair man once me to always throw out at least the last cup of gas in gas container good advise.

[@JaneDoe-ew1kt]

I have a 9 month old machine. Today while mowing oil and maybe ever fuel (mix) started spewing out the oil dipstick. I cleaned it up and started it back up, after pushing it thru the lawn (maybe 4 ft) it did the same thing. I’ve been told that it sounds serious and should just go ahead and buy another one as opposed to attempts at repair?

[@RussellBooth1977]

It's strange how my 35 year old 3 horsepower Briggs and Stratton powered Supa swift lawnmower has less problems with E10 fuel which has sat in the fuel tank & the fuel can for almost a year or 6 months or so & it will start right up with about 3 pulls or so of the starter rope. The old choke O Matic carburettor is very simple in design but it's very reliable. On my dads Honda GSV190 lawnmower engine which I recently rebuilt I even turn the fuel tap off & run the carburettor dry of fuel before storing it & he buys 95 octane non ethanol based fuel for it & his other Honda lawn equipment because Honda don't recommend using E10 unleaded fuel in their lawn equipment. I run it dry because that sort of carburettor is susceptible to gumming up & I have had to dismantle and clean it because it's more susceptible to poor running due to microfine dust particles clogging the low & high speed passages inside of the carburettor !

[@PaulThomas-qo9vy]

Thanks Don! Great advise, I'll be doing that for a customers 2 machines this weekend. Thankfully NON-Ethanol gasoline is readily available at all Q.T. gas stations in S.Texas! Plus I add a famous fuel Sta-bilizer & a Marvel-ous Mysterius Oil additive that helps gaskets, seals & rubber parts & helps combustion. I tell all customers about my Secret fuel formula in a master can (5gallon jug) with the formula & fill all other smaller 2-cycle fuel cans (plus 2-cyc oil) from the master can or jug! Solves many problems 👍🤠 Paul

[@martindesmarais7158]

which Stabilizer do you use ???

[@thenewhumandesign]

Some parts of the usa its actually pretty easy to find straight gas

[@andrewdickson9964]

Crap fuel ⛽ can be all it is . Thank you 😊

[@robertmailhos8159]

Hunting and surging that fuel is definitely coldy looking

[@KRAMPUS_G60_16V]

Awesome

[@jameslomenzo1139]

I have a Craftsman just like that 25 years old with mulching blades, starts first pull, i always keep the oil changed. I always run the gas out in the fall to keep water condensation building up. They don't make them like this anymore.

[@tonymcalister9878]

Easy money.

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

I was curious if you can run some acetone through the tank and let it drain out the carb without doing any damage to the plastic components and gaskets of the mower. We used to use acetone in organic chem class to quickly attract water then it quickly evaporates after draining from glassware.

[@dagwood1327]

I’ve been subscribed for years. I think my first subscription. Anyway I love hearing the decision tree. IE: if it will start on quick start I know it is a fuel problem. If it doesn’t start then it is electrical.

[@luuk-out-below9804]

Or engine compression.

[@gregritter5883]

Hey Donny boy i’ve got a solution for people that can’t get non-ethanol fuel. I did a test on a 2 gallon can of ethanol that was Herb ethanol based fuel that was mixed for my chainsaws and weedeaters, and so on tap the vent screw down the lead really tight that you filled it from and put a plastic cap of some kind or you could even use a piece of foil I believe will work just cut a piece of foil and do about a two or 3 in.² fold it over the end of the pour spout and leave it I Lighting 2 gallon cans sit for a year put it in my weedeater and it ran just beautifully

[@williamalbright8878]

What is your opinion about electric mowers?

[@peterliang1294]

I have the same mower , but what is that green hose fitting on the deck for? Thanks for the vid, very helpful

[@donyboy73]

it's a garden hose connection to clean the deck

[@aslerunarborgersen5175]

Hi here in Norway we can buy something called Alkylate gas, both for two stroke and four stroke engines. It is a bit more expencive, but is that gas better for our small engines than normal gas, with etanol?

[@jamesgreene4554]

How would you do that for the newer plastic carburetors?

[@mjg263]

Wow, with that much water in there I’m surprised it even ran at all!

[@michaelfarris2556]

This may sound funny, but do you mix the clearner our use just straight out of the jug? Need to clean my mower before I put it up.

[@adubbelde1]

Non ethanol fuel is readily available in western South Dakota. Even regular. I will not run ethanol fuel in my engines. Never have issues with old fuel. Small engines start readily after winter storage.

[@georgedavall9449]

Amazing the condition the homeowner kept that poor mower in! Is it any wonder it ran poorly?! Nice job on getting it running well, and cleaned up. I would tell the owner, THIS is how it should look! Seafoam or StarTron are both good as many know; StarTron claims to fight phase separation, and it really cleans up the fuel system. Yeah, electric schmetric Postage stamp yards, yeah, I can see it, but good luck on bigger properties! Take care and stay safe

[@georgepruitt637]

Premium fuel is for high compression engines. Regular fuel without ethanol is the fuel for these engines[ Read the manual]. If possible run unit dry of fuel. never save fuel, just buy enough to do job, any extra, use it up. It goes bad, in about 30 days.

[@rickowens4397]

Ethanol will not separate from the fuel. Ethanol goes into solution with the fuel. Ethanol is lighter then the fuel and lighter then the water. It will evaporate if not in solution. Ethanol will burn when in the combustion chamber. The water comes most probably from condensation. Ethanol absorbs a certain amount of water and allows that solution of ethanol, water and fuel to be burned.

[@harleyquintin6974]

Hello Dony . I have a older Tecumseh 10 hp engine on a older Craftsman snowblower . It has very little compression left . The blower is yellow in color . I don't think it is worth repairing . I have a Briggs & stratton in stock, would this be a good choose of engines for this unit . I believe the shaft might be different but I can get a pulley adapter. Engine mounting will be different but I can drill new holes . I'm I wasting my time or not . The rest of the machine is in great shape . If you can advice it would be much appreciated. Your friend in Saskatoon . HARLEY. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS

[@harleyquintin6974]

The Briggs is a 9 1/2 hp

[@donyboy73]

It should be a good choice.

[@kevinhaley6776]

Sounds like a junkumsec

[@pidgeiam4979]

Nice Donny! Is there a way to figure out online you recommend to find stations with ethanol free gas? -Pidge

[@michellatour150]

If you're in Canada like myself, since fall of 2022 there is a federal mandate that all pump gasoline is to have 10% ethanol so it''s not an option anymore.

[@thomase6751]

Contaminated fuel ⛽️ should have a sparkplug check.

[@philliphall5198]

What are your plans with everything going electric???

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Dry as a whistle??? What does that mean?

[@stoolie10]

Electric mowers are fine if you have a postage stamp yard to mow, otherwise they aren’t worth a damn.

[@beachbums2008]

DONNY,DO LEAVE THE MOWER RUNNING WHILE YOU PRESSURE WASH IT?

[@m9ovich785]

The engine You heard running is the Pressure Washer....

[@garyangelstad5212]

Is that a power more engine?

[@donyboy73]

yes

[@barrypettit3668]

Excellent video Don, i like washing my machines but never did it with the engine running. I may try it next time. I understand Honda is getting out of making lawn mowers. Thanks to your videos I will keep my two Honda's running for another 20 years. I also noticed it is harder to get ethanol free gas in south western Ontario.

[@georgepruitt637]

Never wash any engine while it is running. Shut it off, allow it to cool.

[@donyboy73]

The engine wasn't running, it was the pressure washer.

[@bryanhebert9328]

That was a lot of water in the fuel

[@Jamwcjconn]

Yup no more gas engine on lawn equipment, now we will have battery fires, Great !!

[@paulthompson1216]

I think you are a great mechanic but why would you drain the tank through the carburetor and risk introducing tank contaminants into the carb? I would pull the hose to the carb and then drain it.

[@jesusdrummer21]

I worked on the same engine.Who makes that engine

[@donyboy73]

Powermore from MTD

[@deanmoore420]

Hey, that’s why I updated everything from a push mower to my chainsaw and backpack blower all brand new it’ll last me for quite a while 👍 and I also bought the most expensive Weedwhacker you could buy

[@michaelspencer301]

It amazes me at how people think a can of gasoline works no matter how old it is. 75 % of my repairs are attributed to old phase separated gasoline and or water in it . They just blindly grab up a can of fuel and dump it in . Had a customer one time put diesel in a gas powered mower. Talk about smoking. Lol

[@RelicToWreck]

Having seen many 2 cycle and 4 cycle machines come in running poorly, I would NEVER use canned fuel. The only time I do is with a small enough amount to fill the bowl for storage (I have switched to jet fuel for storage). These engines will not reach their peak power with canned fuel, especially on 2 stroke engines. More people have noticed this poor quality and TruFuel is running in circles. Have a nice day.

[@beachbums2008]

Why didn't the owner add sta-bil to the gas before storing it for the year? I swear by sta-bil products

[@peterroyston6020]

Why not just dewater it with Ethanol, takes little more than a minute, and guaranteed to remove all traces of water

[@cuffy69]

Never was a fan of canned fuel. Would rather pay 7 plus dollars for non-ethanol fuel. It's way better

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I don't run ethanol blend fuel in ANYTHING I own if I can help it. Ethanol loves water, water doesn't burn. It takes way more diesel to grow, harvest, process, and transport ethanol than the amount of gasoline it displaces. The US government only tested ethanol blend in cars and trucks, NOT motorcycles, lawn equipment, aircraft, or boats. Never run it if you can help it.

[@Wyn61]

I think people should be forced to watch videos like this!! I never have any issues with my small engines!! ALWAYS using Ethanol-FREE Shell V-Power Premium. I always add a 1/4 cup of Seafoam to my gallon of this gas too. Haven't had an Engine issue in.......30 years?! 😏🤓😊

[@zlatkovujevic7348]

Your power washer is too powerful for washing mowers, lower your pressure if you can.

[@dagwood1327]

Why do you run the engine while using the pressure washer? Asking for a friend.

[@RelicToWreck]

You're joking right? The mower wasn't running, it was the pressure washer running.

[@donyboy73]

I do not run them while washing.

[@dagwood1327]

@@donyboy73 Oh, my bad

[@rjb6327]

Why didn't he owner do it themselves? Not rocket science.

[@Odawg3709]

Don, time to move to the US! Screw electric. Gasoline forever!

[@stanimir4197]

With the EU (attempted) ban on ICE cars, the small engines are likely to follow. The good part is that if that happens there will be standards for all kinds battery powered equipment. Currently there are standards for the fuels, and the ethanol contents is limited at 5% (even lower for 98 octane version)

[@Mystickneon]

"Made by MTD"... well there's your problem right there!

[@philliphall5198]

Yea they built it with water in gas tank