Fixing A Lawn Tractor That Pops & Backfires!

Fixing A Lawn Tractor That Pops & Backfires!
Does your lawn tractor pop and backfire when it warms up? Watch this video to see what may be your problem and how to fix it yourself.
Watch my video review on spark tester used in video here;
• TOOL REVIEW - Inline S...
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Easy to follow and thorough step by step tutorials do it yourself (DIY) to help you with your broken lawn and garden equipment including snowblowers.
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 wacker, 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, 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.
I have the largest Small Engine Repair Video Library on KZbin and the entire internet with over 1200 videos, just GOOGLE "DONYBOY73"!
I want "DON THE SMALL ENGINE DOCTOR" on KZbin to save you time, frustration and most importantly, MONEY with my HOW-TO videos!
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".
#donyboy73 #db73 #smallenginerepair #howto

[@dmoore7519]

Too bad you have to give common sense safety tips. I’m 65 and started working on lawn mowers when I was 9. Have all my fingers and still have my marbles!!

[@dukesworld3020]

I just turned 63 and I started when I was 10. And I still have all my fingers and toes. I never could understand how anyone could get hurt. All you have to do is use what god gave you.

[@dmoore7519]

Duke's World agree!!

[@hunter7476]

yes butr you should still use caution when using dnagerous tools and chemicals im 14 and very careful but i still wear eye and ear protection and gloves when doing certain work its not a bad idea to practic saftey and he is not have to give it out the saftey tips he just wants to be safe

[@kismetcorp]

First things first: safety first! Was one of the first sentences my 2 year old spoke

[@flyinryan1986]

@@hunter7476 here is the difference your 14 they are in their 60s I will agree with the 60 year olds I am 35 most should be common sense like keep hands out of moving parts and safety glasses if needed the key removal if your the only one in your shop you know not to start it if other people are remove it common sense

[@Rattletrap2]

That is so cool Dony! Over 35 years ago, I took a small engine course with my Dad at a local high school in the evenings. The Instructor showed us that trick of using a business card to set the coil gap! I have never forgotten it! So cool to see you doing the same thing so many years later!

[@user-zh5ip1ru3x]

Have been watching your videos for a while now, and used 3 or 4 of them the other day to diagnose hard starting/missing issues on craftsman lawn tractor. Did a valve adjust, choke adjust and sanded down the flywheel magnet and re gapped the ignition modules. Runs great now.. thank you so much Don... your videos are very straightforward and easy to follow.. much appreciated!!

[@p.a.f.mitasol8071]

Appreciate your thorough clear approach to your vlogs Don. Its always a pleasure picking up tips & tricks in such a relaxed tutorial. 🤙Northern Territory Australia 🇳🇿

[@donyboy73]

greetings from Canada

[@cliffmeadows6721]

This is a very helpful video. It was clear, concise, and not overly long. The camera views are excellent. Good job.

[@jesseramos6124]

Thank you so much for your help with this matter. I'm confident in my ability to replace the ignition modules.excellant video.

[@jayneescher4945]

You are the best on the Internet!You get “right to it”&its about the work as it should be!not you or your hair or clothes or the weather or cameras or music blasting.Very thorough&very relaxed paced.

[@billkrause4585]

Good technique resolving the tractor problem, and a great tip for us once again. Keep these kind of knowledge sharing videos coming, we enjoy them a lot. Thanks you!

[@grosseileracingteam]

I've had coils completely fail when hot,then work when they cool down. I like Kohlers,but genuine parts are EXPENSIVE here in the States.Nice catch Dony.

[@localcrew]

I have a friend with a Dixon ZTR with a Kohler engine and he is having these same symptoms! I'm totally gonna fix his mower now with knowledge that I have gained from Donny the small engine guy! Thanks, Donny!

[@jimwoodward4243]

Thanks for the help I changed mine out and it now run great

[@daphlavor]

I have a Troy built model similar to this one with a B&S engine, has the same characteristics, so thanks to you for showing us the issue, I still have to check out my key switch, it doesn’t always want to start it. Thanks again Donny

[@ChuckD59]

Great video Don. I'm here because my 15 year old CV20S on a Dixie Chopper suddenly started doing what yours did but much worse. Pulled the cover (what a PITA!) and found one of the spark plug wires chewed halfway through right at the module. New ones on the way. Thanks for showing the procedure so clearly and the great tip on those testers. Never heard of them.

[@FishTales-Reel-Life-Adventure]

Again... just what I needed to know! Thanks Don! This is the best on the Net!

[@mikejones6974]

I dig your disclaimer! Keep fixing them Dony Boy! I actually heard the difference while typing my comment! 😊

[@MrDaveR-uq7iq]

I have a 22 Hp OHV Briggs and It is doing exactly what that engine is doing. It also has a dead spot and backfiring when accelerating. I have replaced everything twice but not the coils, Thanks Don, I NOW know its problem. I will not miss that backfiring, Thank You Again Don. Great Videos, Great Work.

[@kjay5056]

Just a great informative video. You clearly explain everything and the camera work is great for those of us who learn better by seeing it be done. All your videos are so helpful, thank you again. I save money and learn at the same time.

[@keithfrisell4271]

Great video, have a craftsman with a 22hp Briggs had a spark but would not run , so I thought that with any spark it should run ? Well bought that tester after watching ur video review. Boom barely a spark changed coil , they only have one purrs like a kitten. That tester is great and I learned something. Thanks Donyboy and have a great day. Keith

[@fred306801]

I was told taught they work or they don't. Sometimes you get one that will work when it is first started, but then after it gets warm it would quit. I see now that there is more to it. I learned something new today. Very cool video.

[@tonym6920]

Very informative vid, thanks Dony. Your camera work is always superb.

[@osbornebay944]

You are the best, happy to learn a skill each time watch your repair video. thanks a million. I just fixed a compression release issue on the Craftsman mower, but it still has to turn over 4 turns before starts. It has weak spark as well. I may put a new coil to it. Vancouver Island, Dale

[@greensfarmland]

Thanks this totally makes sense, testing the coil was erratic when testing the resistance, but it started and ran. I was thinking the carb, but it looked really clean, and did not have a kit to rebuild, so I am waiting on that, I guess I will get a new coil as well. Thanks!

[@johnsamol9911]

Great video very thoroughly explained I never knew there was a tester for the ignition coil like that !

[@kahealanikealakai555]

Ok tyu very much I will check out your vids for repairs, I'll keep you updated on my progress.

[@sebastian56309]

Very nice video, thanks for explaining how parts work.

[@mjg263]

Wow, very informative and helpful vid, thanks Donny! I had a similar coil failure on a small Tecumseh LEV-120, it would start just fine but then as it warmed up it would pop and lose power then eventually die out. New coil fixed it right up, guess a winding went open or something.

[@CdnRedneck1]

Hey Don, always learning a lot from you. Great videos.

[@robeftyearian8760]

Good job looks.lije you made right desicion to change both coils the other one looked week too keep them videos coming

[@ronwilson5906]

That was a great video very concise and easy-to-follow good job

[@peipaulT]

Nice video. Good information for diagnosing a rough running engine,

[@andrewwoodward6560]

Nice work! Great set of testers, Thanks Don! From, Alberta.

[@DK-vx1zc]

Thanks for another great video! I appreciate you sharing

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Another good one DONYBOY. Will definitely get one of those spark testers. 👍👍

[@armondedge8840]

Excellent video. You make it look so easy.

[@scottryan5369]

Thanks for all the vids you do Donyboy, I had a feeling it was coil related after you mentioned the popping and poor running, seen it a few times in chainsaws and mowers etc, I like the inline testers, that's a great bit of kit and cuts out the guess work as such and confirms it is indeed coil related. I will have to let my mate know about them and see if we can source some here in Australia.

[@donyboy73]

check ebay also

[@vanguy9780]

Thanks for this excellent video. I always thought a coil was either good or dead but I learned the hard way and from this video that is not necessarily so. I tested both coils on my V twin and both were in spec. Like you, I initially thought the carb was the problem, but even a new carb didn't fix it. My engine was surging badly and would backfire as well. It wasn't until I saw this vid and I got a spark tester that I was finally able to diagnose the problem as a bad coil I have a lot less hair now but with the help from your video I FINALLY got it fixed.

[@Colt3854]

Great information as usual Don. I feel like your apprentice. Greeting from Australia. Bloody heat wave here.

[@marshallborder9089]

Thanks Don , good lesson !

[@pyrog.c.c89]

You are a genius thanks Danny

[@davidball3081]

Thanks!!! Looking forward to fixing my riding lawnmower.🙂

[@rooseveltrobinson4192]

Thank you for the video that's exactly what is going on with my mower

[@itsgalf]

Nifty little spark tester. Thanks for the video!

[@clarencewatkins1634]

Thanks for a informative and to the point video 🙂

[@breeze787]

Its so nice to come back and see you again. There are so many mower repair videos now that I've been away for awhile. But I've come back please forgive me. I shaltn't ever desert you again.

[@mikemoore9757]

As always, a very good and informative video.

[@tkskagen]

Great "EDUCATIONAL" Video!👍

[@rickbraden4272]

First video of yours I've seen. I like it a lot.

[@yveskc1]

Thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated.

[@Chris-Fennimore]

Good Coil diags. Sometimes a twin cyl with one bad coil can mislead you to believe you have a carb issue.

[@freedumb2010]

yes, very clear tutorials, thank you

[@rogercarrico4975]

Very good work. I really need a second spark tester. I can see that. 👍

[@831Adventures]

Excellent instructions and video

[@Smalltechguy]

Donny, since I've been watching your channel, I have purchased those inline testers. I use them all the time even though nothing seems to be apparent. I've gotten a few tractors that the coils were so bad and if it wasn't a fuel issue then the coils are the culprit..Keep the videos coming.

[@jamesmullins3219]

thanks. great tips. good diagnosis.

[@fatmanbud]

Thank you very much for sharing you knowledge

[@ojjenkins7110]

Nice fix Don. Thanks.

[@billglueck9705]

Great video. Thank you. I will be doing this job very soon.

[@mebcool]

Thanks DB73 Great job as usual. I need to get a set of these testers.

[@hankbridges5055]

Auto parts stores or Amazon or EBAY has them. They're called in- line spark testers.

[@paulmorrey733]

Thanks Don Great video

[@warrenlouisiana2277]

Awesome fix,, well done brother,,,

[@ioufk4real811]

Thanks man my mower is doing the same thing and all these idiots I take it to can't figure it out. Again thanks great video

[@knighthawk86855]

Great fix Donny.

[@midninteranger4315]

Great video thanks for your help.

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Good info, thanks for sharing!

[@Fireship1]

Thumbs up 👍! Great lesson in troubleshooting!

[@geojor]

always great Dony, thank you ...

[@tonym6920]

Great video Dony!

[@63256325N]

Thanks for the video.

[@CrazyCanuckFitness]

Another great solution. Thanks

[@dinohudson1432]

Thanks for the gumball Mickey 👍

[@bobwelch5056]

Big difference good job

[@lestergillis8171]

I did not know you were up there in Canada until this video.

[@ermannodangelo1062]

Great job diagnosing the problem, that why I like watching your videos. Could you use a 12v test light to do that? I’m hoping you do a video on that Honda snowblower in the background.

[@lyndelbeckwith1706]

You could, but someone has to turn it over for you.

[@mattb9664]

A video on changing out the Transmission Fluid in a “Sealed” transmission on a little lawn tractor (ie. John Deere LA series) could be a good video to do. Overall process of getting to the concealed ‘fill’ plug.

[@bradc.4334]

Thank you Don once again. I've watched many of your videos and learned something from every one. Your approach, knowledge and quality of the videos is fantastic. Is there a way to create a "Library" of your videos? Hope to hear from you.

[@donyboy73]

you can create your own playlists

[@paulzacher5672]

Never knew a module could be weak. Thought it either worked or not. Great video

[@JodBronson]

@Paul Zacher - Now you know! It's called " Electrical Leakage ". During usage, the Module gets " hot ". In the Module, the Wires might melt through time and it create a small shortage / electrical leaks. This would make the Module weak, since electricity find the closes ground to get to. :)

[@truckinchihuahuaalvieschre2494]

@@staind288 he has a video that he has said it is rare but there are exceptions to it.

[@billydugie8922]

me either

[@tier3rd375]

Some modules use a microprocessor to advance the ignition timing for high rpms. Sometimes that can go bad and make the engine run terrible at full throttle. Though the opposite was happening here in which the engine was running poorly on low throttle.

[@frankdavidson9675]

i replaced one tha thad burned thru till it finally quit it was just running on 1 cylinder

[@michaelcee8348]

i love donny boy. thanks

[@Lovinflyindrones2022]

YOU’re the GREATEST. LOVE ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!!! Thanks DONYBOY73

[@hdrk59]

Great video ..thank you

[@gosselinsergegs]

Thank you same problem

[@velox731]

Kohler makes a great engine. Nicely done!

[@richardclark8316]

Thanks for helpful video

[@Chris29031]

Great video thank you

[@ScottMiller-tu3gg]

You mentioned removing and reinstalling the small (positive) wires on the ignition coil. Are they not (negative) or ground wires that make a connection to ground when the key is turned off?

[@robeftyearian8760]

Pretty cool find so quick so eady fix tganks donny

[@mikerafone4736]

Good advice

[@rafaabarca6163]

Excellent job 👍

[@immoegreen200]

Pretty smooth

[@louislandi938]

What a GREAT lesson! I will remember that one. How old were you when you started learning? Was it a family member or did you just figure things out on your own? Many thanks!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

What a difference eh!! Nice job!!!

[@leeturner1838]

thanks donny i just bought a sears 30 inch hydro rider!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bigrockinu]

Nice I have a craftsman 7000 Delete series, with a the kohler motor KT745 26cc . Doing some of the same thing ,when I Engage the blaze it starts to bog down ,I have to get 2 of those babies also.

[@michaelspeakman8924]

Thanks

[@user-qm3js9hf2n]

Great video just in case…..during the summer I was that idiot that replaced the fuel filter and I put it on backwards and my engine performance obviously failed multiple times as I was driving it and I couldn’t figure out why.. I know better now… But this is another great idea what could be going on

[@danielthomas3127]

Those tester's are time saver's

[@pyro323]

Those Kohler engines are awesome. Cub Cadet uses them in their line of lawn tractors.

[@360Prairie]

Your advice about not over doing it on the bolts at 5:48 is very good advice. I can't tell you how many bolts I've broken because I thought everything had to be SUPER tight like a gorilla on steroids was turning the wrench.

[@chrisbcritter6112]

That was my problem with plumbing issues. I'm not allowed to work on faucets around the house anymore.

[@nickl1682]

thanks

[@johnhightower8737]

Way to go Donnie !

[@ccsargent]

Another very well done and informative video. Thanks. One question, did you check the gap on the bad coil before you removed it?

[@donyboy73]

yes