FIX Engine Surging on any small engine QUICKLY

[@jacklanier41]

A small engine repair wouldn't be complete without a dog jumping through the hole of a tire on a lawnmower you just fixed. NICE!

[@costarica6536]

He deserves a treat!

[@mikeboston421]

hahaha

[@mikeboston421]

@@costarica6536 indeed, that was why he was barking, he wanted a treat for all his good tricks and deeds

[@BallBusta]

If you're a doofus like myself, it's good to take pictures with your phone of the carb when you're taking it apart so you know where everything goes when it comes to linkages and springs.

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

hah in hindsight I would have done that .

[@MrGaryGG48]

@@brucewmclaughlin9072 Bruce, that's a very good suggestion. I've been doing it for all sorts of things, for quite a while. It's also quite helpful with "wife-inflicted shopping lists!" I don't remember half the stuff I'm supposed to, over the phone. Writing a short note on the phone keeps me out of at least some of the trouble I could find. One idea that might help you... when I'm working on small parts like carbs, pull starters, and all that other crap that ends up on my workbench; I use a small plastic tray. It's maybe 2' square or maybe 2'X3' and a couple of inches deep and will contain a lot of the over-spray from carb cleaner, etc.. It also catches small parts that like to flick off into never-never land, never to be seen again!! It's not fool proof but it helps. This is the first of your videos that I've seen. You have a new subscriber. Thanks! Gary

[@DeezGarage]

Bingoooo. Sweet User @BallBusta

[@diossslogan]

That just what I did.

[@lincolnscott5547]

Proud fellow doofus here. Pictures are good.

[@Don_ECHOguy]

The carb clean and detailed explanation of how it functions was top notch and the pet tricks at the end was icing on the cake.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey thanks

[@hallga2]

'were' icing in the cake!

[@carlmathewson1343]

Polaris 400 atv brake manua

[@rosssmith6775]

Iv watched a lot of small engine Carby videos but this one has given me the best understanding of how it works and how fix it . You articulate this stuff very well! Thanks

[@EdWeibe]

yeah he did a great job. Saving this one.

[@grampsinsl5232]

Just FYI, when cleaning carburetors that were all gummed up with old gas residues, I found that 91% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) worked better than anything else. Give it a try sometime.

[@michellevaldez47]

Even better, run your small engine completely out of fuel at the end of the season.

[@SpecOps1987]

Finally a proper explanation of the idle surging on the GCV engine. Thank you! This has been driving me nuts for the past year.

[@texhunter1820]

This is the best explanation of how small carbs work and why they don't work that I have seen!

[@rickwoodmeister2088]

I agree with that. I watch all of your videos and copied the log lift arm for my log splitter. Saved my back with some Hugh red oak chunks.

[@JohnBeckman-f5o]

You need yo hold can upright when spraying.

[@MRrwmac]

I’m sure a lot of your viewers will learn something from this video. Thanks!

[@alvinstreicker4579]

Thankyou. You do a good job too.

[@mwparker1969]

Thank you for taking your time to teach us knuckleheads something useful. You saved me from buying a new lawnmower. I didn't have a piece of grass in my carb, but it was really gummy.

[@SiteReader]

Great video! I just revived my 12-year old Honda walk-behind by following your instructions. It was surging and would only start with a spray of starting fluid. I had replaced some gaskets and sprayed the carburetor before, but it didn't help.Your video gave me the confidence to try again. About the hardest part was figuring out which way to put back the plastic intake port that goes between the carb body and the engine intake. I also did a valve lash (both settings were off by about two one-thousandths of an inch.) After all was done, the engine started on second pull. Then it restarted many times after shutting down. I can't thank you enough.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Great work

[@jimmyarrington3343]

Great video, thanks.

[@hugegamer5988]

Check for rust stains and faint imprints from mating surfaces or gaskets. They can be the clue of how it goes back together. Nowadays I video anything carefully before I take it apart so I have a record of what it was like.

[@SiteReader]

@@hugegamer5988 Thanks! I did finally figure it out from the imprint pattern on the gasket. Video is a good idea, but I'm just not into my cellphone. It usually sits on my desk or bureau. Too old I guess.

[@2LateIWon]

Got to love fairly easy fixes. I know most people are intimidated but you did a great job explaining it

[@JRJunior8624]

Boy did he ever...

[@markusedma]

Great video! I jumped thinking the dog was going to get his paws under the deck when you started it!

[@kefwals8722]

I watch a lot of the diy tricks or tips videos to fixing things. I always want to add to my everyday self sufficient knowledge. And im normally disappointed at the how to videos that are just common sense or someone who has no idea what they're talking about. Bullshitting through a useless video to try to get some attention. You are the one person that I watch who has legitimate info worth watching. Even if it's something I already know you often explain the process to where I learn a little more into why that way works. And you have torn into these things and figured them out yourself. Your not just regurgitating something you saw another you tuber do or read from a forum. I don't write fan mail comments ever. But you approach things the way I try to. Which is if someone made this I should be able to figure it out. The person who made it wasnt a magician. I'm smart enough to follow simple steps backwards And im just stupid enough to try something new see if it works. Sometimes things turn out better. And sometimes I make things infinitely worse. My backyards full of buried abortions from stupid ideas. But I also have a bunch of stuff I've modified in some way and are vast improvements from what they were. anyway thank you for covering stuff i want to know that nobody else seems to be doing. and please keep doing everything exactly the way you have been because it's much more beneficial then having something explained by a self professed expert more concerned with appearing smart then engaging others to use their problem solving skills and figure stuff out. Or possibly just break things a little less until they work.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Wow, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad a like minded person as yourself enjoys what I do.

[@johnvecera6550]

Have you ever thought about making videos of your experiments? I would like to see both your successes and your failures. Nicola Tesla would look for other's attempts and learn from them, and then approve from there.

[@Rabid_Badger_racing]

Finally someone is getting it. I have had so many costumers argue with me on this. When you are done with the machine for the year. Run the fuel tank completely dry. Then put some Aspen fuel in, not a lot. Start the engine for a minute or so then set it off the side till next year. Aspen fuel is good in the fuel tank for 3 years and good in the bottle unopened for 5 years. Aspen fuel also burns cleaner then any other fuel.

[@murrayjimm]

Aspen fuel?

[@zackabilly33]

This is a great breakdown of 90% the problems I see in the shop now a days ! Great job!

[@willyjblair]

Thanks for this. I cleaned out the carb a few weeks ago but it started to surge again. I didn't clean out all the small holes and pipes like you. Thankfully acetone in the petrol did the trick. I let it run, surging away for about ten mins, then there was a loud hiss and she sprung back to life again. You saved me a few quid. Really appreciate it.

[@chrisray3993]

I absolutely had to give a like to this... Not only was the information and breakdown great, but to finish it up with his pup was awesome... Keep it up buddy

[@DiscoverU1415]

L0 L

[@harrypalmer291]

I'm an experienced small engine mechanic that has done countless carb cleans and I never heard of using acetone. Cool tip. I'll try it one of these days

[@sixtyfiveford]

It's the main; sometimes only ingredient in carb cleaners. Sometimes they'll also put things like toluene because they don't evaporate as fast.

[@harrypalmer291]

@sixtyfiveford. I didn't know that card cleaner was acetone. No , I thought it was methyl alcohol and other VOC'S /petroleum distillates. Some brake cleaner is mostly alcohol. Acetone or nail polish remover has a sharp smell I recognize immediately and carb cleaner seemed different. Live and learn. Carb cleaner is a good diagnosis tool for gasoline engines too. For the heck of it I used to run small 4 strokes by spraying it into the intake port of cylinder head. No carb, no manifold. 😅

[@pkimrey]

I had this surging problem and I am mechanically illiterate and your video made it super simple for me to clean my carburetor. Thank you for explaining everything so well!

[@dan7163]

Same thing happens with water in fuel. I just changed my fuel and problem resolved. Try that first. If problem persist then this vid is spot on for you.

[@jb791505]

Thanks for the detailed explanation of how the idle circuit works, and why the engine surges when the idle circuit is blocked. As you said, it's easy to fix if you understand how it works. Also, thanks for making this video. It helped.

[@moisty254]

Nicely done. I fixed my carb by just poking around in all the holes and jets and squirting carb cleaner everywhere. This explains the chaos 👍

[@65csx83]

You answered a question I've always wondered about what or whether products actually un-gum carbs. On my own stuff, I've always disassembled and used gasoline or kerosene depending on what I was cleaning. When I worked in a shop, we used a chemical bath which worked well. Always felt that OTC stuff is a waste of time (and money), and glad to have it verified.

[@zjedinite]

Same here, gasoline has always been my clean solvent on parts. Learning here that most of those “fuel cleaning additives” are mainly acetone. 😮 What!? I would like to still do a bit of research regarding this but man, great new info on this vid

[@dannylinc6247]

Acetone/alcohol in cheap carb spray saved my fuel pump one summer. On my Chevy pickup. My OEM A/C part was still good after ages, but my fuel was the issue. I later replaced my A/C pump because of a repeat. But then the new part stopped pumping. I put a length of inlet hose in place to access Filled it with carb spray, cranked it over. The carb now was getting the carb spray from the pump. I changed my fuel and my fuel station of choice. This was years ago, now. I had to let the fuel supply into a container and replace with fresh gas. These cheap cans of carb spray are under three dollars.

[@hugegamer5988]

I LOVE seafoam. I got a free motorcycle from it. Guy at work told me the engine was totaled and gave me it for free, I didn’t care because I wanted it for parts for my old bike of the same make. Imagine my surprise when I opened the carbs and they were caked full of congealed seafoam. Cleaned it properly by disassembly and placing it in a recirculating solvent bath. Drove it the next day to work and man was the guy pissed.

[@evelynmahoney3569]

@hugegamer5988 I seafoamed my '91 S10 4.3 trying to get it to pass smog. LOVED THE SMOKE SHOW! Even took pictures. The Seafoam was a lot more fun than replacing the O2 sensor & shelling out for a new cat. Eventually it passed. 😂

[@aztecpride3735]

I have found lots of mowers blowers power washers etc and I don't know how to fix them because of the carburator so I pick them up and sell them for a small fee but now thanks to these tutorial I will fix them and make more money thank you for the information 👍

[@GregScavezze]

My snowthrower was surging this past winter. I used SeaFoam and it really did work. It stopped surging relatively quickly. I tried it out because I didn't feel like taking the carb off my snowthrower in the dead of winter, lol. I will be taking the carb off in in off season to clean it out though.

[@sixtyfiveford]

The isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)in seafoam is generally what does the trick as it allows contaminated fuel to burn.

[@cliffords.8341]

As a former small engine repair mechanic from 1978 -1979 then went into the motorcycle industry working as a technician and machinist on mostly Japanese bikes and now retired, I've cleaned thousands of carburetors in my time. The best part of this video for me was at the end when the dog was jumping through the tire. 👍😊

[@kevink2889]

Had a craftsman lawn mower with that same engine. Three years and it started surging. I took it apart and clean the carb out thoroughly. Work for a while but later that year started acting up again. I took it to Honda and let them clean the carb. They soaked it got it back later that day worked good but a few Weeks later started acting up again. Took it back and they soaked it overnight. Worked good for a while and then started surging again. I got some seafoam, the fuel tank was almost empty so I put a good shot in there. Pulled it out of the shed, kick some snow to the side and let it run for 10 minutes. Pushed it back in the shed and said " pos if you do this next spring you're gone". Used it for 11 years after that with no problems ever again. Sold it a few years ago running in mint shape cuz I bought a Makita battery operated lawn mower. Gas is crap these days! Don't dis' seafoam! 🤣🤣🤣 But good video!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Gas is garbage these days and doesn't last more than a month or two in a plastic gas can. I have people all the time pour their own gas in a carb I just rebuilt and foul it up. Drives me crazy. I now won't let an engine leave my shop without a full tank of my gas(ethanol free) in it.

[@exploringcalifornia9110]

Mine was surging, took apart and cleaned the carb twice, no fix. After watching this video I realize that I missed cleaning the internal intake tubes that allow idle. Going back tonight and doing it! Thank you!

[@dubCanuck1]

I have 4 generators and 2 gas-powered lawnmowers and weed whackers that I'll be needing to do this to. Thanks again for the awesome tips!

[@bratling]

Not only was that educational and really well explained and demonstrated, but OH MY GOD YOUR DOG 🐶 😍

[@PS-pe6nc]

Thank you for making this video. You explain everything so well. Took the mystery of how the carburetor works right away for me.

[@nowaistedspace4946]

Best quick explanation of how a carb works. Lawnmower carbs have been a big pain in my ass. I caretake on a farm and I am constantly working on small engines. You just got me a future big "pay raise". 😆😁

[@RodderFiles]

im a visual learner, and it really sux yt wasnt around yrs ago to watch the smart ones like you show us, you know how many small engine items to vw related engines i have dumped do to lack of knowledge i kick my self in the ass all the time lol, thanks Moe for all your shaed knowledge and expertise

[@GroundZer0115]

I hesitated to watch this video because it was a longer versión but the short videos weren't cutting it. I like the clear explanation of everything. Been working with carbs for a while already and I still learned something here.

[@Jerlemi2]

Best video on cleaning a honda carburetor I’ve ever seen. Thank you. This is the exact model I have. You are the best!

[@mikestewart9723]

GREAT video. All the others cover the pilot jet only. My mower still surged after cleaning the pilot jet. Your video provided the answer. It was the main jet that was clogged. She’s running smooth again. THANK YOU!!!

[@davidbrun9197]

Perfectly explained. Thank you. My generator only runs while fully choked. I’m going to try this

[@artv8830]

I have about 5 fairly new mowers that I've found and have been given. All do this surging and instant dying and have been bugging me for several months. It may be 6:30 am but soon as that sun hits the sky I'm going out there with my newly found confidence and knowledge and I just know imma fix every single one of those damned things.. I'm sure of it! And I have you to thank for it, I'll say it ahead of time.. THANK YOU! I'm confident that your valuable information is exactly what I have been missing. Here's to ya! 👍

[@saved74]

I just did this for the first time. I thought it was just old but I did this and so far no more surge. I was going to scrap the lawnmower thinking it couldn't be fixed. Thanks for posting this.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome

[@kevinferguson3196]

Using recreational gasoline or using a fuel additive all the time would virtually eliminate the issue from developing.

[@saved74]

@@kevinferguson3196 Recreational gasoline? That's comical. LOL.

[@lifehealth489]

@@sixtyfiveford have very good question as you have repaired a lot of carbs ... can you tell us how many times you have went through the complete carb cleaning on mowers like tb240 , others mowers( walk behind Mowers only) and it they still surged , and you had to buy a new carb kit to get mower to run right .about how many times?

[@sixtyfiveford]

I never have to buy a new carb or carb kit on a walk behind mower. If it still surges I did something wrong and I do it again.

[@dennishein2812]

Spray some gumout in the carb and some into the gas tank if you don’t know how to take a carb apart. You might have to work the throttle by hand if to rev it up if it starts to stall when you spray it. Use short bursts.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Classic restricted carburetor idle circuit 🙂 Great tips!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks Man

[@woodenpints]

I feel like I finally understand carburetors now from a practical point of view. Thanks, have a beer 🍻

[@CheaddakerT.Snodgrass]

Glad you made this video. I know you've made many carb cleaning videos in the past; I've referenced them many times. This newly refined video was needed.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks

[@markshuput5228]

I just KZbind it for my Honda and this video pops up. Your solution is much easier. Thanks!

[@chrisw8259]

Great video. A good concluding statement would mention the fact that almost nothing could be added to the gas tank to get rid of grass clogging the idle jet. You have to take the carb apart!

[@920HVAC]

It took 33 yrs but I kinda understand how carburetors work now. Thank you sir🤝

[@Enigma-Sapiens]

Great advice and how-to Moe, thank you! Ginger proves every time that her breed is one of the smartest in the world! She's an awesome best friend to have! I look forward to seeing her in your videos. Thank you for taking the time to add her into your videos!

[@vashon100]

What breed is she? (I have a rat terrier).

[@mickgrace2558]

Red Australian cattle dog@@vashon100

[@kimcalder388]

Looks to me like an Australian cattle dog (like on the very popular kids tv show here 'Bluey'​)❤@@vashon100

[@todddowney45]

THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO ON UNDERSTANDING HOW A CARB WORKS AND HOW TO CLEAN . GREAT JOB EXPLANING EVERYTHING . THANK YOU .

[@sixtyfiveford]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DougAskin]

Good explanation of how it works and how to clean it, I guess a lot of people too scared to take it apart incase they can't put it back together. They could video it for themselves and play it back if they can't remember how it came apart. You've trained Ginger well

[@sixtyfiveford]

Video of taking it apart for people is a good idea.

[@alan4sure]

Sometimes you take things apart and it turns out you now need a new seal that won't seal twice.

[@davidthavi]

Bought a lawn mower that sat for 12 years from my neighbor. Cleaned the carb and fired up on the first pull. Thanks

[@robnation2475]

Thanks for the inspiration! Not sure why I waited until 3am to start on my Honda's carb but it runs great now at 5am😀. I used some copper wire from some lamp cord. Most of my time was spent trying to find my carb cleaner that I had set aside for this job a couple of weeks ago🙄duh

[@surf6009]

Yup. Where's my....

[@4bits4e47]

I've cleaned a lot of carbs and you did a fine job, however, it was the word "Quickly" that enticed me to watch you do it thoroughly.

[@clarkpalace]

That was a great demo for cleaning a carb. Some simple things an amateur, like myself, require a pic or notes. Such as which way did the float go or how to stop gas coming out the disconnected rubber tube

[@MrHowhot]

Clamps or have a bucket handy

[@colechandler4590]

I have a Honda HRX217 with a GCV170 engine. I tried about 10 different videos and this is the one that finally fixed it for me. The carb is slightly different but same concept. Understanding how the carb works and how to check if its working allowed me to fix it. Thank you!

[@yodasbff3395]

My brother's 2 stroke Lawn Boy use to hunt, I went through the carburetor a couple of times, no luck. The governor was the kind that blew air on a vane attached to the carburetor, I finally took some solder and added weight to the vane, problem solved. Ginger never fails to put a smile on my face, she sure is a sweetheart.

[@sixtyfiveford]

I still have a two stroke Lawn Boy I use a few times a year just for fun.

[@James-dt7ky]

@@sixtyfiveford I have a couple of curb-rescued LawnBoys. I'm into retro stuff for some reason. Thanks for this video....my John Deere 14SB is surging.

[@neilmack100]

Thanks 😊 . At 10:41 when the Sharpie Marker came out , I knew during my previous two cleaning attempts, I hadn’t cleaned the passage highlighted by the black marker. I spent 20 minutes with carb cleaner verifying visually that this passage was clean. The small brass jet under the big Phillips screw was likely the block point. Small brass jet is too small to pass a copper wire , so you need to watch to see if a drop of carb cleaner will slowly drain through the small brass jet. Afterwards, my Honda 160 YardPro mower started on the first pull, no more rpm surging or hunting, no choke needed to stay running. Runs like new. 😎 Thanks again. 😊

[@G31mR]

Have a JD riding mower that started surging at idle. I ran heavy concentrations of GUMOUT Carb and Fuel System Cleaner in the fuel for a full season. By next season, the surging had stopped.

[@BeFs]

This is the best description of the workings of this particular carburator on the internet!

[@AdmiralDG]

Very timely video with Spring in full swing!

[@FrankConforti]

Awesome video! I had a frustrating problem as described but I didn’t know the small details you covered towards the end of the video. THAT turned out to be the problem. Thank you so much. One tip for other folks watching this video is at minute 4 where he’s removing the fuel line. Not all engines have that cutoff valve so use a vise grip set to gentle so it cuts off the fuel but doesn’t damage the fuel line. Guess how I found out way back when.

[@alanadale1945]

Yeah , thank you ! On my way outside to take care of the surging lawn mower clear & to the point Thanks again 😀

[@martyvanord984]

LOL I have always just sprayed the carb cleaner through all the holes after disassembling the whole thing and it has always worked. It is so nice to comprehend what I was doing!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome.

[@mikespain8655]

When I clean a carburetor, I spray, poke and blow out all the holes, everything. Have a very high success rate as a result. If you are not mechanically inclined, don't kid yourself or waste your time, take it to a shop. Most customers change the spark plug and give up.

[@gregre052]

Timing is everything. Not THAT timing. I started one of my mowers. Funny how exact the motions are. Uncovered the carb and rods etcetara. Stuck my finger in wiped it on my jeans and Voila.. done 4 cuts so far, and pulled the cord and 4 starts. Nice.

[@khester7397]

Who do you think is watching these videos? The mechanically un-inclined? Not likely.

[@MyDogRunner]

@@khester7397 the mechanically curious are also watching. 😊

[@Rabid_Badger_racing]

So you are doing great. I'm a mechanic and I have been working on machinery like this for quit a while now. I'm EETC certified and I want everyone to winterize there machinery correctly and your machines will never fail you with this method. Run the fuel tank completely dry and put in some Aspen fuel. Start it for a little bit and set it off the side till next year. I swear it will never fail you with this method. If you can afford it run nothing but Aspen fuel. It's good in the tank for 3 years and good in the unopened bottle for 5 years. Trust me you will never have any carburetor problems with this method. Look up the Aspen fuel if you don't believe me.

[@raymondcole8287]

B

[@username8171]

Good explanation. This is the reason why an air filter is so important, like the canister filters on large mowers/zero turns .

[@davenooner2142]

You might want to be cautious of acetone in your tank. I saw what happens when the coating inside the tank breaks down from that and gums up a fuel filter on a car that my brother-in-law had. OHHH it is nasty. I bet gas tanks on small engines do not have that coating inside, but we found out some cars do. He had heard that acetone would help get better fuel mileage...it did not. I almost always do my carb cleaning by hand... but... if I do use a cleaner, I use Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment. Put it in the fuel and run it, then let it set overnight. That fixes 90% of dirty carb issues for me. I hope you do not mind the information here, just want to help.

[@gregre052]

No idea of what I would get.

[@Jon.Carlsen]

This is excellent advice! 👍 I switched to alcohol-free gasoline in all my small engines. It completely eliminated all fuel related problems. There's no need to add fuel stabilizer because it has a very long storage life. It costs more but in my opinion the price is worth the lack of problems. We live in a rural area so almost every gas station has one pump that sells "real gas".

[@jsblusmokebbq4343]

Have a place down the road from me that sells non ethanol gas. Thinking about using it for my mowers and trimmers also

[@mechantics]

I keep a separate Jerry can with 93ron Ethanol-free gasoline and use it for all 2-cycle equipment (mitigates diaphragm hardening). That, or if I will be storing any small engine, I will run Ethanol-free fuel a bit until I run the carb dry.

[@erikacellar8679]

Hello Jon, what is this alcohol free gasoline?

[@Jon.Carlsen]

@@erikacellar8679 Ordinary gasoline for your automobile contains up to 10% ethanol alcohol. Alcohol free gas contains no ethanol and is labeled so on the pump.

[@frommatorav1]

It's ethanol free, not alcohol free. Only one gas station near me sells it and there is just the one tank. Sometimes I have to wait for it. At least it's a separate tank, so I know it won't get mixed with ethanol gas. Do yourselves a favor and get a battery mower. No more buying gas, spilling gas, changing oil and filters or cleaning carbs.

[@jussiketels151]

😊as every time a fine video! Air pressure will also help to clean the carburetor. Warm greetings to Ginger 🐶

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks

[@scotthenderson4376]

Great job I'm sure you saved so many headaches for hundreds of people. I just had my mower have a issue with surging and it was the float valve hole had junk in it.

[@rodneybrand8521]

Well ... that cured that problem..wish all the ones i get were that clean..that Ginger is something else..anybody who takes as much time with their dog as you do aint bad at all..see you on the next one Cheers friend 🍺🍺🍺🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey thanks

[@paulswift5196]

Thanks for the video… my new puppy just kept laying on me and dropping a ball onto my hands. Made it impossible to take the mower apart until she passed out. :)

[@Moostery]

Why are you hating on my boy seafoam? The thing does wonders for every engine I run it through. The engine always feels much more responsive and powerful after I use it on a vehicle that has never had it done before.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Seafoam is essentially rubbing alcohol, a really thin oil(kerosene) and Nahptha(lighter fluid). About the only thing that does anything is the rubbing alcohol which mixes with water and allows water to burn. But that could be remedied just by draining your old fuel out/ water. The thin oil and Naptha are very mild cleaners, but in the ratio they're used to gasoline can do very little. It's kind of like using the rain to wash your car where a few things will fall off, but it's still dirty without getting in there and putting some elbow grease on it. Now if I left straight naptha or kerosene on some varnished fuel. It may soften it after a week or two, but definitely not if I diluted it 99%. Clean gasoline by itself is a better solvent. So here's where the "snake oil" comes in. People taking say an old junkie motorcycle or something that's been sitting forever with water in the fuel/ fuel has very low octane due to evaporation. You throw rubbing alcohol in there which is pure octane/ allows water and other crud to burn and you're able to get the engine started. You then run it and allow the new gas to come in and actually the new gas is what creates a better running condition and cleans up the system. Why it's called snake oil. Because no matter what you say or what proof you have behind it people will believe it works for them even if they find out it's made of snake oil.

[@Moostery]

@@sixtyfiveford I see. Thanks for all of the information =)

[@norsevikingsir4932]

All you have to do is hold the governor open while you spray carb cleaner into the open carburetor, it will want to shut off but don't let it, work that governor. And it'll run like new. I've been in the small engine repair business for a few decades.

[@ImSrry4BeingWhite]

Very insightful bro. You are a great youtuber!!

[@dantyler6907]

I, regularly, start my 15 year old Honda lawn mower every 2-3 months during the winter and NEVER have problems! Don't invite trouble... run your mower once or twice in winter. After enough water makes it through the carb, LOTS of problems!!! Start the mower once or twice during winter... it'll be ready to go in spring! Let it run for only a moment or so!

[@johneaton4364]

try using only #2 gas only. NO ETHANOL.

[@masterofnonetv8361]

After fixing a lot of my neighbors yard equipment just like this I've found that most small engine stuff dont have fuel filters, So if you find yourself having to do this go an extra step and add a filter because chances are there is debris in the tank that will clog it up again!🍻

[@michaeldicker4839]

Would have been useful to hear the engine running before the strip down

[@peterloichtl4512]

​@@michaeldicker4839why rag on him showing you how to fix your crap if u don't know what a surging engine sounds like you have no brain and therefore are useless repairing anything.

[@EdWeibe]

the eact engine I just destroyed a flywheel on. You described me exactly on that carb work. Trying to match the bowl gasket bla bla bla. fantastic video. I literally am trying to make that grass catching bag. Have a hard time machine frame and bag. Modified the frame and now am sewing up a bag.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Very well explained and easy to understand. Cheers mate, Stuart 🇦🇺

[@marty01957]

Thanks , Moe! Done this dozens of times but liked the way you explained everything.

[@MikeyMack303]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to break that down for us!

[@improvitron]

Worth a thumbs up just to hear that acetone is the only chemical in Seafoam that does anything. Thank you.

[@philliphall5198]

I just add a 1/2 cup to my dodge pickup and it works and cheaper than sea crap

[@src4409]

I add seafoam to all of my gas tanks and engines at least once a year. I don't think I've ever changed oil in any 2 cycle engine. I just add it when it's low. I've also never cleaned a carb on one. Now, my vehicles are a little different. I still use the seafoam, but I always put it in the oil a few weeks before my oil change and in the gas at least 3 times a year when I fill up.

[@gte1340]

I don't believe anyone changes oil on a 2 cycle engine!

[@robertsmith3518]

Oil change on a 2 cycle ? There is a new one. Amazing those folks also get to vote

[@hotchihuahua1546]

All good ! 👍 Not everyone has an air compressor , but if you do , after spraying and clearing all the passages, followup up with higher pressure air . About 60-90 psi is all you need .

[@theobserver9131]

Keep your filters up to snuff, and avoid doing this too often. Especially the air filter. Make sure it's installed right and not sucking in dirty air.

[@Dislob]

At the same time dont mess with the air filter too often. It can allow dirt into the carburator when you mess with it. Checking it too often increases the risk of having the carb clogged.

[@TGMForum]

So nice to hear you advise against using tip cleaners etc, and the jets being the correct size. I hate seeing the micro drills and gas tip cleaners being used.

[@j.clarkhelton7883]

Thorough explanation. Great video. Thank you for your content .

[@davidcasper8923]

Put a new carb on my mower and it still surged Bought a new governor spring from Ereplacement parts in Midvale and that cured the problem. Great fix to start with.

[@sixtyfiveford]

A stretched governor spring would only cause a drop in engine RPM. A stretched out governor rod tension spring(attaches directly to the butterfly/generally wraps around the rod) could cause a little flutter in RPM(very minute). But it would have to have zero tension and just essentially be laying there. It's only job is too take the tiny slop out of the governor rod to butterfly hole. The only time I've ever seen a flutter in RPM from the tension rod spring was on engines with 1000's of hours and the hole where the rod goes into the butterfly is egged out to nearly 1/8"

[@RANDOMNATION907]

Nice , simple , to the point. Thank you.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks

[@davekennedy52]

So glad I watched right till the end, so I could see your dog jumping. He really loves you!!

[@ginapalm6511]

OMG !!! Nail polish remover !!! Worked like a charm!! THANK YOU!!

[@boston-strong8887]

Nail polish remover! No kidding! It is, after all, acetone. I have a few surging small engines among the shed toys, and I'm going to give this a try. Who knew. Thanks so much!

[@theobserver9131]

This is great for those of us who are already mechanically inclined, and like to tinker....I totally understood what you are showing us, but for people who don't enjoy this kind of work, you can get a new carb for around $15. Just swap it out. I got lazy on my last 2 stroke job, and just replaced it. I kept the old one just in case.

[@theobserver9131]

oh yeah....even after replacing the old carb, I started getting problems again. Not sure why... I had a new fuel filter too.... I just opened the carb and drained out old fuel, and put it back together. Runs good now. I think it was overwintering without fuel conditioner or anything.

[@theobserver9131]

After you told me about the quality of cheap replacements, I think I'll give the old one a workover and put it back in. It's nice to have a back-up for quick fixes! Put the clean one in and keep working, fix the other one when you have time.

[@theobserver9131]

Another thing you taught me that I didn't know... surging is related to clogged carb. That's helpful! Thank you.

[@Jon.Carlsen]

I bought one of those $15 Briggs carbs. It worked great for a little while. After a month the float bowl float got a leak and flooded the engine with fuel. It cost almost half the price of the cheap carb for an OEM float but now it's running properly again.

[@theobserver9131]

@@Jon.Carlsen I've been having problems with this carb. It runs good for awhile, then it declines quickly. Removing the carb and draining it makes it run ok for a while, but then the same thing happens....It's been driving me nuts! I hadn't thought of a leaky float...that would make sense. Thanks for the tip. I'll check it next time I get the gumption.

[@stanleystrycharz2572]

Great video! You are 100% right with all that you said. I get so many free mowers off the side of the road just because the carbs are clogged. Clean them out and they run great. P.S. Cattle Dogs are the BEST!!

[@danield954]

Hey thanks for explaining what is actually happening rather than just how to fix it. I found your video informative and to the point.

[@brianm7402]

Great explanation of all parts inside. I've had a riding mower sitting for years with bad gas. This will help tremendously. Thanks!

[@bradleygregorio7511]

I used to clean carbs like this my whole life until recently when on a whim I dumped a entire carb in my sonic cleaner for a few minutes. That is how I do it now as I have had 100% success be it 1 day old or rusting in a field since the 80s. No jet hunting or passage testing just open it up and dump it in rubber and all.

[@RustyClam]

I have worked on many small engine carburetors in my days. Your video is very good. Although you need to have much closer camera angles. I know what you were talking about. But the layperson would find it difficult to know what you are talking about, But I must say this was an excellent video.

[@confuzler6985]

Just got an older Toro probably from late 80s to restore (for fun), the carb is much easier to access than what you showed here, I guess they don’t make them like that anymore… 2 bolts and you can slide the air filter then a small gasket then the carb right off. And that’s probably the smoothest pull start I’ve ever seen 😮what kind of blue magic did you practice on that machine…

[@simonharris5017]

Many thanks for your great explanation of how this carburettor works. The absolute clincher for me was the fact that you referred to the Emulsion tube correctly- I’ve seen other people’s carb repair videos but they didn’t seem even to know what it is.

[@DavidRuess]

Thank you for explaining why the problem existed, and why you did your actions to solve and fix it. Super helpful!

[@jliketheletter637]

Good video so many people are scared 😱 of the carbs. They think it’s magic this was a good showing of what it is and does. Like you said if you understand it you can fix it. I agree with the using acetone but I do use combustion chamber cleaner and it work wonders. I am going to read the can and see what’s all in there. Keep up the great work. J from Manitoba Canada 🇨🇦